RD Gavin McCarthy -Boston University, NCAA (2023, 86th, BUF)

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Right-shot defenseman with good size and very good puck-moving ability. He's able to wait out forecheckers, and make good decisions with the puck under pressure. He's error-prone though from what I've seen, so he may be a project over the upcoming years. That'll likely determine where he gets drafted, but I think he looks like a better prospect than his brother.

Gavin McCarthy at eliteprospects.com

Click to read more...

 

[GermanSpitfire]

Gavin McCarthy at eliteprospects.com

Don’t know much about this kid, looks to be a good US defender for the 2023 draft. Committed to BU.

He’s the brother of Case McCarthy (NJD 4th rounder 2019).

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

I really like this player. Reminds me of Brandt Clarke. Exceptionally good puck-mover. Cannot be pressured with the puck. He will wait all forecheckers out and make a good play up the ice. Good size and plays physical. Skating is about average. He’s not going to pull away from players, but good edges. Defense looks pretty good. Good playmaker. Attacks the outside in the offensive zone from the point really well, similar to how Adam Fox does this. There are actually some similarities to Fox in how he plays, but also some differences. Think there’s a chance he could be a PP1 guy in the NHL and could also be PK1. Looks like a first round pick to me with really high upside. Not as raw as I initially thought. May end up being the first defenseman picked in a weak draft for the position. Not sure of an exact range, but let’s not rule out top 5-10.

I also can't believe this guy didn't make the NTDP. Must've refused an invitation because he's a lot better than every 2005 defenseman they picked.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

I thought he had a weak Hlinka, but he wasn't that bad. Kind of similar to last summer's tournament where he did some things really well, but a few too many defensive errors. And his defensive partners were brutal, so he had no help, except the occasional shift with Strathmann. He looked better last season in a more structured environment with Muskegon than either time for the USA.

The point totals won't show it, but his outlet passing was phenomenal all tournament. Could've had a few assists this tournament just from that. He's pretty deceptive with his ability to gain the zone. For a defenseman, he's able to wiggle by players and has the stick stills of a high-end forward. His skating needs work, but it looks rougher than it is. He has good edges and he manages to make plays with it offensively, but defensively he's not the best with skating backwards and he tends to be pretty weak on his skates. Falls down a lot. He needs to get stronger. He's willing to play physical, but he's not strong yet. Aside from the skating and getting stronger, he needs to work on his positioning. If you don't skate great, you can't take the types of risks he does or afford to be a foot or two off with your positioning constantly, which he is right now. He has the defensive potential and you see the defensive ability at times to go up against good competition and shut them down, but it's not all the way there yet.

 

[Rogie21]

The Hockey News' Ryan Kennedy has McCarthy at #39 in his 2023 draft top 40 projection.

2023 NHL Draft Rankings: An Early Top 40

Connor Bedard is the big prize heading into the season, but he's not alone. The forecast looks rosy for teams picking high this year.

thehockeynews.com

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

8 points in 9 games to start the season. Second among USHL defensemen in points so far, and the guy ahead of him is a few years older. He’s third among all players in assists. He hasn’t scored a goal yet and has taken over 20 shots so far, so at some point he’s going to put up some goals.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

13 points in 15 games. Only had 13 points last season. Reached it in 38 less games this season. Had his first two goals of the season tonight. Third among USHL defensemen in points. His SH% is still pretty low. I think leading the league in points for defenseman is within reach. Only two behind the leader.

He was recently selected to the WJAC team. One of only three American 2005’s to make the team, so that’s an accomplishment. He’s now listed an inch taller at 6’2 by USAH than they listed him in the summer. I read an article recently about how his father was a Navy Seal, so that’s pretty cool. I think he’s being underrated by a lot of people right now.

 

[TF1970]

i laughed when he was a C rating in central’s preliminary ranking.

 

[Frk It]

In a draft that lacks high end defenseman... kid has a shot to ascend these rankings for sure.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Had a goal tonight. Also won defenseman of the week.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

1+1 tonight. 4+14=18 in 20 games. Second among defensemen in scoring in the USHL.

He's on pace for a top 10 U18 season ever among USHL defensemen in PPG. Currently 8th. Some of the guys in the top 10 are Adam Fox, Quinn Hughes, Owen Power, Lane Hutson, and Cam York. Far from bad company.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

 

[DatDude44]

Love this kid, I think he's fairly underrated so far draft wise. Big smooth, smart, poised, moves the puck well, shoots it well and brings an edge and some physicality as well.

MIght take him awhile to put it all together and be pro ready. But once he's there he'll be a good one imo. Really hope my Blues snag him outside the 1st rd

 

[Frk It]

Pretty shocked to see him come in at #75 on McKenzie's mid-season ranking... does he have some glaring weaknesses in his game?

On paper he seems like a guy who should be ranked much higher.

 

[MMC]

Welcome to Buffalo

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

One of my favorites in the USHL. Such an underrated player. His team was bad this year, and he was pretty good in the first half of the season. He got injured at the WJAC, missed two months, and then wasn't 100% when he came back. Lost his PP1 role too because they didn't want to change things up when he got back, which hurt his point totals in the second half.

My scouting report from his USHL season.

I like his defense and skating more than last season and his offensive game less, but pretty much the same range I’ve been thinking beforehand. He’s become a very good two-way defenseman prospect. He now uses his size and throws some big hits. He’s well positioned in the defensive zone, he uses his stick to break up plays, and he can win puck battles with his size and strength. His skating has also gotten a little quicker. I didn’t think it was bad previously, but a little sluggish. He’s now pretty much the average skater, so that’s gotten better. His puck decisions in his own zone look better, while I’d say in the offensive zone I haven’t liked them as much. In the offensive zone, he has the ability to use his puck handling, puck pose, and lateral skating to make better offensive plays. Too many plays he’s throwing the puck at the net aimlessly, and he’s capable of more than that. He’s one of the best OFD in the USHL though. Can’t criticize him too much offensively. I think he should be in contention for being one of the first defensemen off the board in this weak defenseman draft. Definite first rounder in my estimation.

 

[TLEH]

Whenever I watch this player, when catching up on Celebrini, always come away so impressed.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Having a good sophomore season at BU. 3+9=12 points in 27 games. But he gets no PP time because they have Hutson, Willlander, and Boumedienne. All his points are ES or SH. Had a short handed assist last night. Been playing on the top pair with Hutson this year.

I wish we had picked him for the WJC this year. Would’ve been a lot more solid than Kleber or Ralph.