Prospect Info: With the 3rd overall pick in the 2021 Entry Draft, the Ducks select Mason McTavish

[tomd]

Beniers imo but who knows I think Beniers is better at almost everything but McTavish has size and a huge shot which we need.

Yeah I agree but the way GMBM was describing him I think the choice was closer than we think. We'll probably never know though.

 

[Static]

Beniers imo but who knows I think Beniers is better at almost everything but McTavish has size and a huge shot which we need.

I don't think beniers is better defensively, and even the offensive stuff is in question. Beniers has skating and a motor edge.

 

[bsu]

I don't think beniers is better defensively, and even the offensive stuff is in question. Beniers has skating and a motor edge.

Hes definitely better defensively.

 

[bsu]

 

[lwvs84]

What I didn't like in Bobs interview was him saying "complimentary" too much.
I do get his point and agree, but we should had picked BPA there.

That being said, I was on McTavish train as soon as I digged deeper on him weeks ago. A solid, solid prospect. But I think he's not better than Z or D, so that's where some of the dissapointment here comes from

I'm really hoping he meant change of pace type complement than actually being a complimentary forward. We need a guy that can drive that second line behind Z.

 

[The Mighty Duck Man]

I'm really hoping he meant change of pace type complement than actually being a complimentary forward. We need a guy that can drive that second line behind Z.

He did, I don't think he really said complimentary, just kept saying he compliments the group well.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

First of all, what let you think he wasn't the best player available on the Ducks list?

Secondly, GMBM often emphasized he was a bus driver for team Canada and Olten.

Thirdly, no forward this year is better than Z or lets say has that kind of upside.

1. The fact that Bob repeatedly said about McTavish as a ''complimentary'' player. That and the fact they were ready to trade down, which would give no guarantee we would pick McTavish
2. Yes, and that is true. I love it. McTavish has that ability in him, even though that is not ''Getzlaf-like'' it still feels decent.
3. Absolutely. I think Eklund MIGHT come close though.

1a. When Bob says "complementary", he doesn't mean "passenger". From google: combining in such a way as to enhance or emphasize the qualities of each other or another.

McTavish can enhance other players' skills with his play that currently isn't present in the Ducks today, as Murray denoted. On the PP, McTavish can stay in front of the net and take the abuse like a Corey Perry. That means it makes Zegras, Rakell, Comtois, and Drysdale that much more dangerous if McTavish is always willing to go in front of the net. Then tack on his ability to redirect pucks or get to the puck faster on rebounds than a defender or goalie, again, would enhance everyone's play on the PP. At ES, we know Zegras is a finesse player. McTavish can bring that change of pace play the following shift to make defensemen pay along the board when he's on offense for puck retrievals.

McTavish says he loves playoff hockey. He plays his games like it's playoff hockey all the time, which is why some scouts noted he was the heart and soul of Team Canada as well as the reason why they won gold. And his game is multi-faceted. He can be that goal scorer for one game or be that physical guy to help change the dynamic of the game, which scouts did identify is what he did in the gold medal game at the WJC-18 in just playing down right physical.

The roster of the WJC-18 has 2022 C Wright, 2023 winger Bedard, and high scoring RW Guenther. And yet it's McTavish that gets the praise for driving team Canada to gold.

Another way to see "complementary" is the word balance. The Twins are complementary/balanced to one another, but both can be superstars without each other. Getz loves passing and Pears loves potting goals. Similarly, Getz and Kelser are complementary/balance to one another such that Kelser does the heavy lifting against the opposing team's top line so that Getz gets (say that three times in a row) to expose weaker forward lines.

​

1b. Trading down scenario doesn't mean McTavish wasn't the pick all along.

From the official Gulls' website on the 2020 first round picks:

What led to the decision to take Jamie Drysdale with the sixth overall pick?

Murray: We only had a choice of one [defenseman] by the time we picked. Martin and I decided a while back, if at all possible, we were going to get a defenseman with that pick. We had the two defensemen go [side by side]. We had them [side by side]. Once Ottawa took [Jake] Sanderson, we weren’t playing around with that draft spot anymore. We were going to get the defenseman we wanted. It worked out very well for us today. We were hoping both didn’t go in front of us, and they didn’t. Lucky for us today.


Did you expect Ottawa to go with Sanderson with the fifth overall pick? If he were still on the board, would that have made the decision tougher?

Murray: Not really. I’m an old right-shot defenseman. What the heck. [Laughs]. We expected one of them to go before us. We were hoping they didn’t, and maybe we could’ve finagled a little bit there, but they’re both really good hockey players. The right-shot D is right up our alley right now.​

Are you implying that Drysdale was never going to be the pick because they were entertaining of trading down? But instead of risking the chance of losing Drysdale by trading down, they kept the pick. Any GM would be open to listen to offers, but if they value the player more, then they keep the pick and select the player. In fact, it reveals they value the player much more than what was being offered.
​

2. I dunno where this Getzlaf comp is being so heavily relied upon besides they're both big, skilled centers. They play differently. I'd say McTavish plays more like Perry than Getzlaf. The player McTavish likes to fashion his game after is Anders Lee, which he had said in an interview. A big forward who likes to score goals. I dunno if McTavish has Getzlaf's vision for passing, but he does have some playmaking skills. Zegras has Getzlaf's playmaking vision, though.

3. Z is on another level.

IMO, Eklund and McTavish are on the same tier level. One is an elite playmaking LW. The other is a physical center who is a top-end goal scorer. Both have high hockey IQ, great edge work, and need improvement in skating. Both aren't as flashy as Z too, but all three have high-end motors.

I like Eklund a lot. Yet, his game faltered without a talented center when Josefson fell to injury.

Eklund
2020-21	Games	g	a	pts	ppg
Total	40	11	12	23	0.575
Before Dec	18	8	5	13	0.722	With C Josefson and Holtz
Dec	6	0	2	2	0.333	4 games with C Josefson, no Holtz in Dec
After Dec	16	3	5	8	0.5	Last 3 games with trade acquisition C Stoa, produced 1 assist per game; no Josefson

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

I think McTavish has equal or more upside than Eklund. That's based upon his vast improvement this past year. Too many scouts have cited that McTavish has had the biggest improvement in talent this year. Then factor in his play in the NL-B (Swiss men's 2nd tier hockey league) once he acclimated and he looks like a scary great prospect. I used LW Brennan Othmann as an apples-to-apples comparison at both the NL-B and WJC-18 performances. Othmann went 16th overall in this year's draft.

2021
	League	Team	Season	Games	G	A	Pts	PPG
Othmann	NL-B	Olten	Regular	34	7	9	16	0.47
McTavish	NL-B	Olten	Regular	13	9	2	11	0.85
.
Othmann	NL-B	Olten	Post	4	1	1	2	0.50
McTavish	NL-B	Olten	Post	4	2	5	7	1.75
.
Othmann	WJC-18	Canada		7	3	3	6	0.86
McTavish	WJC-18	Canada		7	5	6	11	1.57

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

Othmann had a good season in the NL-B. McTavish flourished in the NL-B once he got acclimated. Remember, McTavish didn't have a pre-season with Olten. He started to play with Olten days after he landed in Switzerland in February. In his first six games, McTavish had scored 1 point (an assist). For the final 7 regular season games, he potted 9g and 1 a. His game got stronger as the season went. Imagine how his production would have been if he was allowed to go to Switzerland in November with Othmann to play 34 NL-B regular season games?!

At the WJC-18, Othmann played on Canada's top line with 2022 Wright and Guenther. McTavish played 2C between Bedard and Stankoven, both 5'9 or under. McTavish finished 3rd in scoring for team Canada and 3rd in goals scored. Guenther had 7 points (4g, 3a) at the WJC-18. Guenther is one of the best goal scoring prospect in the 2021 draft.

Referring to Mitch Brown's podcast breakdown of the 2021 draft eligibles, he cited that Eklund is the best point getter, but it was McTavish that was the guy that does it all. I can see it too.

​

 

[Boo Boo]

I hope he can be our McToews

 

[Anaheim4ever]

I don't know where anyone is getting that Murray and Madden watched him in person in Switzerland. Bob clearly stated in his interview with Ahlers that they only watched video on him, because that's all they could do.

Bob said he saw him in Switzlerland in the video interview post draft.

 

[Kariya 9]

I hope he can be our McToews

McKesbae

 

[ADHB]

Bob said he saw him in Switzlerland in the video interview post draft.

Yes, on video. He said several times across several interviews that he saw him in Switzerland, on tape.

Not that it matters because that’s what pretty much everyone did this season, but they didn’t travel across the world to see anyone.

 

[KickHisAssZegrass]

I actually think McT's overall hockey IQ is just as high as Beniers. Just doesnt have the wheels to forecheck or fly down the ice and beat defenders like Beniers can. But I also think he's going to be much heavier/stronger then Beniers which can be just as important on NHL ice. Both are 200 ft centers with 2C written all over them.

 

[Mr Rogers]

The more i read about him he sounds like Backes quite a bit. Big centre with a well-developed two-way game. high compete level with a shooting bias.

 

[Paul4587]

The more I watch and read about this guy I can see a pretty high floor although for a 3rd overall pick you would hope that would be the case.

Best case for me is someone like Ryan O’Reilly. At the lower end of his potential is someone like Boone Jenner.

 

[bsu]

Kadri/Kesler type imo. He has a sick shot man.

 

[Hinterland]

I actually think McT's overall hockey IQ is just as high as Beniers. Just doesnt have the wheels to forecheck or fly down the ice and beat defenders like Beniers can. But I also think he's going to be much heavier/stronger then Beniers which can be just as important on NHL ice. Both are 200 ft centers with 2C written all over them.

McTavish probably could play Center but in my view, he's even better on the wing. McTavish may not have the skating of Beniers but he has much better hands and a much better shot. That, and the hockey IQ you just mentioned, allows him to be deadly in the slot. I've never seen an 18 yo this efficient in the slot. Never. He's always in the right position to provide a screen and he's always gonna score goals with deflections or rebounds whenever there's a chance.

Both guys got selected way too early but at least McTavish does have the talent to live up to being taken so high if everything goes well. Beniers at 2 is horrible I think. A safe pick but not one who could ever be worth a 2nd overall.

 

[Hinterland]

1a. When Bob says "complementary", he doesn't mean "passenger". From google: combining in such a way as to enhance or emphasize the qualities of each other or another.

McTavish can enhance other players' skills with his play that currently isn't present in the Ducks today, as Murray denoted. On the PP, McTavish can stay in front of the net and take the abuse like a Corey Perry. That means it makes Zegras, Rakell, Comtois, and Drysdale that much more dangerous if McTavish is always willing to go in front of the net. Then tack on his ability to redirect pucks or get to the puck faster on rebounds than a defender or goalie, again, would enhance everyone's play on the PP. At ES, we know Zegras is a finesse player. McTavish can bring that change of pace play the following shift to make defensemen pay along the board when he's on offense for puck retrievals.

McTavish says he loves playoff hockey. He plays his games like it's playoff hockey all the time, which is why some scouts noted he was the heart and soul of Team Canada as well as the reason why they won gold. And his game is multi-faceted. He can be that goal scorer for one game or be that physical guy to help change the dynamic of the game, which scouts did identify is what he did in the gold medal game at the WJC-18 in just playing down right physical.

The roster of the WJC-18 has 2022 C Wright, 2023 winger Bedard, and high scoring RW Guenther. And yet it's McTavish that gets the praise for driving team Canada to gold.

Another way to see "complementary" is the word balance. The Twins are complementary/balanced to one another, but both can be superstars without each other. Getz loves passing and Pears loves potting goals. Similarly, Getz and Kelser are complementary/balance to one another such that Kelser does the heavy lifting against the opposing team's top line so that Getz gets (say that three times in a row) to expose weaker forward lines.

​

1b. Trading down scenario doesn't mean McTavish wasn't the pick all along.

From the official Gulls' website on the 2020 first round picks:

What led to the decision to take Jamie Drysdale with the sixth overall pick?

Murray: We only had a choice of one [defenseman] by the time we picked. Martin and I decided a while back, if at all possible, we were going to get a defenseman with that pick. We had the two defensemen go [side by side]. We had them [side by side]. Once Ottawa took [Jake] Sanderson, we weren’t playing around with that draft spot anymore. We were going to get the defenseman we wanted. It worked out very well for us today. We were hoping both didn’t go in front of us, and they didn’t. Lucky for us today.


Did you expect Ottawa to go with Sanderson with the fifth overall pick? If he were still on the board, would that have made the decision tougher?

Murray: Not really. I’m an old right-shot defenseman. What the heck. [Laughs]. We expected one of them to go before us. We were hoping they didn’t, and maybe we could’ve finagled a little bit there, but they’re both really good hockey players. The right-shot D is right up our alley right now.​

Are you implying that Drysdale was never going to be the pick because they were entertaining of trading down? But instead of risking the chance of losing Drysdale by trading down, they kept the pick. Any GM would be open to listen to offers, but if they value the player more, then they keep the pick and select the player. In fact, it reveals they value the player much more than what was being offered.​

2. I dunno where this Getzlaf comp is being so heavily relied upon besides they're both big, skilled centers. They play differently. I'd say McTavish plays more like Perry than Getzlaf. The player McTavish likes to fashion his game after is Anders Lee, which he had said in an interview. A big forward who likes to score goals. I dunno if McTavish has Getzlaf's vision for passing, but he does have some playmaking skills. Zegras has Getzlaf's playmaking vision, though.

3. Z is on another level.

IMO, Eklund and McTavish are on the same tier level. One is an elite playmaking LW. The other is a physical center who is a top-end goal scorer. Both have high hockey IQ, great edge work, and need improvement in skating. Both aren't as flashy as Z too, but all three have high-end motors.

I like Eklund a lot. Yet, his game faltered without a talented center when Josefson fell to injury.

Eklund
2020-21	Games	g	a	pts	ppg
Total	40	11	12	23	0.575
Before Dec	18	8	5	13	0.722	With C Josefson and Holtz
Dec	6	0	2	2	0.333	4 games with C Josefson, no Holtz in Dec
After Dec	16	3	5	8	0.5	Last 3 games with trade acquisition C Stoa, produced 1 assist per game; no Josefson

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

I think McTavish has equal or more upside than Eklund. That's based upon his vast improvement this past year. Too many scouts have cited that McTavish has had the biggest improvement in talent this year. Then factor in his play in the NL-B (Swiss men's 2nd tier hockey league) once he acclimated and he looks like a scary great prospect. I used LW Brennan Othmann as an apples-to-apples comparison at both the NL-B and WJC-18 performances. Othmann went 16th overall in this year's draft.

2021
	League	Team	Season	Games	G	A	Pts	PPG
Othmann	NL-B	Olten	Regular	34	7	9	16	0.47
McTavish	NL-B	Olten	Regular	13	9	2	11	0.85
.
Othmann	NL-B	Olten	Post	4	1	1	2	0.50
McTavish	NL-B	Olten	Post	4	2	5	7	1.75
.
Othmann	WJC-18	Canada		7	3	3	6	0.86
McTavish	WJC-18	Canada		7	5	6	11	1.57

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

Othmann had a good season in the NL-B. McTavish flourished in the NL-B once he got acclimated. Remember, McTavish didn't have a pre-season with Olten. He started to play with Olten days after he landed in Switzerland in February. In his first six games, McTavish had scored 1 point (an assist). For the final 7 regular season games, he potted 9g and 1 a. His game got stronger as the season went. Imagine how his production would have been if he was allowed to go to Switzerland in November with Othmann to play 34 NL-B regular season games?!

At the WJC-18, Othmann played on Canada's top line with 2022 Wright and Guenther. McTavish played 2C between Bedard and Stankoven, both 5'9 or under. McTavish finished 3rd in scoring for team Canada and 3rd in goals scored. Guenther had 7 points (4g, 3a) at the WJC-18. Guenther is one of the best goal scoring prospect in the 2021 draft.

Referring to Mitch Brown's podcast breakdown of the 2021 draft eligibles, he cited that Eklund is the best point getter, but it was McTavish that was the guy that does it all. I can see it too.​

Othmann didn't have a pre season with Olten either. I think both guys played the day after landing in Switzerland. Certainly McTavish did. Both guys didn't need any time whatsoever to adjust. They just didn't get a lot of ice time early on. Both guys started as 13th forward, then spent time in the bottom six with limited ice time. Both of them played well almost instantly, they just got eased in because they didn't have any time to practice or recover from the jetlag before playing.

It's also a bit misleading to compare the two players because McTavish just proved to be a better fit to play with Olten's two imports. Othmann also just kinda lost his way when the team when cold and never really managed to bounce back until the playoffs. He did have 10 points in his first 12 games though when he was mostly playing with the imports. When McTavish arrived, he kinda took Othmann's spot and therefore had better linemates and got more ice time and quality ice time as well. I think McTavish was just the way more mature player...hardly ever gave the puck away all season long and completely owned the slot a like a vet where he got fed pucks by the imports. He did play Center before getting moved up to the top line though and was really driving his line. So he can do a bit of both. He's very good at holding onto pucks but I don't see him as an elite playmaker or passer. Just not his thing I think. Othmann on the other hand seemed to put too much pressure on himself and his decision making wasn't ideal anymore. Got frustrated, started taking dumb penalties as well. I think his upside is very similar to McTavish, he's just gonna need more time. Again, at this point, McTavish is far more consistent, mature and further on his development. Othmann's 200 ft game was always fine though and he was always very efficient at hitting and drawing penalties. He was also back at his best for the playoffs where again, he had much less ice time than McTavish but made the most of it. He was also epic for Canada in both semi final and final after a rather incosistent start to the tournament in terms of offense.

So to sum up, they're just difficult to compare. Othmann started well but then lost his way and kinda reverted back to try using some of his OHL plays who just don't work playing against men. He also tried moves he just hasn't mastered yet and his decision making got worse the more pressure he put on himself. I think this is all gonna come though and he demonstrated that he's capabable of it early last season as well as in the most important games later in the season. He's also a much better skater and more efficient hitter than McTavish. Much more of a pest as well, much more aggressive, great at pissing everyone and not afraid to fight either. Has a tendency to cross the line and lose his cool though and his coaches are probably gonna grow gray hair watching him. McTavish is much more composed but I didn't like his physicality as much as some of the experts and analysts in Switzerland or scouts watching him at the WJC. I think there's a lot of room for improvement and he should be more aggressive along the boards. While I like McTavish's shot, I think Othmann's is even better. I like Othmann's hands but I like McTavish's better. Othmann is still working to get better there but he probably won't quite reach McTavish level there. McTavish's hand eye coordination is something else. Of course McTavish's overall value is higher not just because he's way more mature but also because he's capable of playing Center. Not just sure that's his best position though.

 

[Anaheim4ever]

McTavish probably could play Center but in my view, he's even better on the wing. McTavish may not have the skating of Beniers but he has much better hands and a much better shot. That, and the hockey IQ you just mentioned, allows him to be deadly in the slot. I've never seen an 18 yo this efficient in the slot. Never. He's always in the right position to provide a screen and he's always gonna score goals with deflections or rebounds whenever there's a chance.

Both guys got selected way too early but at least McTavish does have the talent to live up to being taken so high if everything goes well. Beniers at 2 is horrible I think. A safe pick but not one who could ever be worth a 2nd overall.

Seattle can't really afford to blow the pick (especially if they don't make the playoffs this year) so that they had to go with the most safe player to play in the top 6.
I see the first 3 picks as ending up being the highest floor players in the draft.

 

[Anaheim4ever]

Future Duck top6:

Comtois/Zegras/Perreault
Pastujov/McTavish/Terry - as long as McTavish is stapled to Terry i'll be happy.
3 guys with Elite Shots. 2 very talented playmakers. 2 guys who will score near the net.
Then just think whoever they get in 2022 & 2023 is gonna be pretty darn good that they will have 3 good lines.

Pastujov & Comtois are left shots, Perreault and Terry are right shots.
Feel like with how Dynamic Zegras is that having a sniper in Perreault and a guy who goes to the Net in Comtois gives him the most pass options.

 

[Kalv]

Future Duck top6:

Comtois/Zegras/Perreault
Pastujov/McTavish/Terry - as long as McTavish is stapled to Terry i'll be happy.
3 guys with Elite Shots. 2 very talented playmakers. 2 guys who will score near the net.
Then just think whoever they get in 2022 & 2023 is gonna be pretty darn good that they will have 3 good lines.

Pastujov & Comtois are left shots, Perreault and Terry are right shots.
Feel like with how Dynamic Zegras is that having a sniper in Perreault and a guy who goes to the Net in Comtois gives him the most pass options.

Looks very good on paper, but half of the hem are 2-3 years away

 

[OCSportsfan]

Future Duck top6:

Comtois/Zegras/Perreault
Pastujov/McTavish/Terry - as long as McTavish is stapled to Terry i'll be happy.
3 guys with Elite Shots. 2 very talented playmakers. 2 guys who will score near the net.
Then just think whoever they get in 2022 & 2023 is gonna be pretty darn good that they will have 3 good lines.

Pastujov & Comtois are left shots, Perreault and Terry are right shots.
Feel like with how Dynamic Zegras is that having a sniper in Perreault and a guy who goes to the Net in Comtois gives him the most pass options.

I have a feeling 1 or 2 of them will be gone before this line up is created.

 

[bsu]

I just downloaded the entire u18 tourney including pretourney games.... gonna focus on Mason the whole time this week while watching them.

 

[TopShelfWaterBottle]

Where does everyone get Perrault being a sniper? Everywhere I look including his s as ahl stint he’s a playmaker

 

[Anaheim4ever]

Where does everyone get Perrault being a sniper? Everywhere I look including his s as ahl stint he’s a playmaker

His OHL career and scouting reports about him. He wasn't that ready for the AHL yet but was still able to contribute by passing
but i am thinking he couldn't find the space or time to shoot so just passed ?

 

[Mr Rogers]

I think he's able to do both really. but I wouldn't call him a playmaking winger like Marner or Gaudreau or even Terry. I think he probably has 30-30 upside when it's all set and done.