Was checking Draisaitl stats pre-draft. From what can be compared, McTavish doesn't come close.
Draisaitl was anchoring his team D-2 year in the WHL. McTavish while was scoring at a good pace, was just a complementary scorer on his team, with comparable stats to someone as Ritchie.
I sound a bit like a hater, but I'm very ok to have McTavish in our org btw. It's just I don't think he was the BPA and there is some hype on him in our fanbase but I think some fans will be disappointed on the outcome.
Murray said he could be a top-9 center and right now it looks like that to me - a Middle-6 two-way centerman. 50 point potential in peak years.
That's fair to have skepticism of McTavish. On the first round post-draft interview with Murray on McTavish, Murray stated there was one guy and then a group of 7-8 guys. That's the 2021 draft for you.
D-2 Seasons
Draisaitl: 64 games, 21g + 37a = 58 pts, 0.91 ppg
McTavish: 57 games, 29g + 13a = 42 pts, 0.74 ppg
McTavish finished 3rd in goal scoring on his team, with next goal scorer having scored 21 goals. The pattern with McTavish is that he usually scores in bunches when he does score. Could an additional 7 more games played increase his point production and point production rate? But it's apparent that they're different players in their D-2 season, one an anchor and the other a complementary wing.
D-2 McTavish vs D-1 McTavish are vastly different players as he's expanded his play from just being a complementary goal scorer as well as improved his skating. The scouting media have all commented that McTavish had the biggest improvement in talent among the 2021 draftees. That jump in improvement was done against men on a bigger ice sheet and was also seen at the WJC-18s. At the WJC-18s, he was an anchor as well as been described as the heart & soul of team Canada.
Murray's 1st round, post-draft interview
Time Stamps
0:07 How long has Mason been on your radar and the reason he rose up the Ducks' draft board?
- Since D-2, goal scorer
- WJC-18, one of the players who drove the bus for team Canada
- WJC-18 Canada coach gave more insight, who the Ducks also hired as an assistant coach
2:00 What different elements did Mason bring that made the Ducks choose him over other forwards?
- pushing the pace and oomph
- good on forecheck
- shoots the puck
- physical presence
- different player than Trevor; three of your top-9 for centermen (I presume he's talking about the present, not future)
3:00 Mason describes his play as rough and rowdy
- Murray's physical reaction is priceless to that comment - enjoyed the description and one of the first things he noticed when seeing him in person this season
- Gets involved, great complement to others on the team; big reason why Martin and Murray wanted him
4:03 Is Mason strictly a centerman for the Ducks, or be a wing?
- Wants Mason as a centerman
- Wants Trevor at center, but it might not work and might end up playing with Mason
That 4:03 bit should speak as much volume as with the three of your top-9 centermen that you highlight as significant negative on Mason. Murray didn't say Zegras would be centering Mason, which should elevate your perspective of Mason. Again, I think Murray was speaking in the present, not when Mason is in his prime. We aren't expecting him to be 1C. I don't think Zegras is 1C today, unless we ship out Rico before the season starts.
Again, with 7-8 prospects to choose from, the Ducks could have gone in several directions. The Ducks went with a forward, which automatically shuts down the BPA argument; Anaheim with BPA+need. C Beniers went 2nd overall. That left forwards C McTavish, LW Eklund, C/LW Johnson, and RW Guenther to choose from. Ducks were looking for goal scorers and the list dwindled down to Guenther and McTavish, with the mass media selecting Guenther to the Ducks. Between the two, Guenther brings goal scoring at wing. McTavish is a centerman who is also goal scorer (scored more points at the WJC-18 than Guenther), improved playmaking, plays physical, and brings leadership qualities.
Yes, Eklund is probably the best playmaker in this draft. Yes, Johnson probably has the highest ceiling in this draft. Anaheim chose this direction to help fill out the team from being too finesse-like while adding goal scoring talent who can play all three aspects of the game, ES, PP, and PK. McTavish's huge improvement in one season doesn't get enough credit. With actual confirmation that Columbus wanted McTavish at 5th overall, pushing Johnson down, tells us that Columbus thinks highly of McTavish. Oh, and then add in the Hovan podcast that shared the Ducks designated McTavish as a no-trade prospect for any potential Eichel deal should elevate McTavish in your eyes - not that it will change your mind, but rather lessen the negativity for the moment (like a year or two).
