Prospect Info: With the 66th overall pick in the 2021 Entry Draft, the Ducks select Sasha Pastujov

[tomd]

Tyler Toffoli is another good comparable.

 

[KickHisAssZegrass]

This guy is really fun to watch. Like almost Zegras level fun. I'm personally a fan of wingers playing their off wing and this guy really knows how use the whole ice and make himself available for a shot. I think it's really as simple as tightening up his skating and increasing his first step a bit. If his skating doesnt improve I could also see him filling out and playing a slower heavier game and produce that way. I would of been happy with him in the 2nd so I'm a fan.

 

[Static]

Another player projected to be on the WJC roster, this time USA.

 

[JohnnyDrama]

Great pick. We are having a great draft so far

 

[AngelDuck]

So he’s American. What nationality is his heritage?

 

[ADHB]

So he’s American. What nationality is his heritage?

His dad is Russian and his mom is American.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

Both of our forward picks needing to improve skating makes me miss Skahan.

Love the pick though. Skill for days

Actually, it depends on when the scout did their final eval on McTavish. Lots of scouts only used his 2019-20 season because the sample size was very large, played on NA ice, and scouts could readily make the trip to games to watch in-person. In 2019-20, McTavish needed to improve his skating. COVID made travel and in-person viewing more difficult to scout. The few that were able to watch in person or get game film of McTavish at the Swiss league came away liking his improved skating and overall game play improvements. The WJC-18 was played in the TX, USA where scouts can watch in-person. Yet, those 7 games maybe all some scouts have on McTavish for 2021 because they didn't personally scout McTavish in the Swiss league. And since it's a small sample, it's easier to just use the 2019-20 scouting report to be on the safe side. Which is why so many scouting media had ranked McTavish in the late 20's until Central Scouting NA ranked him 2nd and Elite Prospects ranked him 5th. It took Dobber Prospects until mid-July to boost up McTavish from 29th to 11th.

I'm not saying McTavish is an elite skater, but his skating is okay today and he's still working with a skating coach. Go to the 2:04 mark of the video (I should have it queued up to start there):

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Here's evidence of McTavish's improved skating in-game, spanning all three zones. The fellow Canadian he beat to the puck is Connor Bedard, a 2023 draft eligible phenom. What helps McTavish gain that speed on Bedard and the defender (Jakub Sedivy, #22) is his IQ to know the puck is being pitched out into the neutral zone and he uses his edge work to start his jump. Button summed it up best, McTavish isn't going to skate like Connor McDavid, but he's a good skater. Are you going to use the 2019-20 scouting report on McTavish's skating or use the most recent video of his skating at the WJC-18's?

 

[bsu]

NHL Blackbook really hates his skating.

 

[Mr Rogers]

My favourite pick of our draft

 

[Opak]

Insane value at 66. Wow!

 

[Masch78]

My favourite pick of our draft View attachment 455865

Smart guy!

 

[bsu]

Best video

 

[MMC]

 

[bsu]

Like that

 

[Hey234]

I like this pick. He seems very motivated.

 

[JabbaJabba]

I like this pick a lot. He could have gone way earlier as well. I think he has the tools to be a good NHL player.

 

[lwvs84]

If he sticks to this, I love the pick. Seems confident and hopefully he plays with the drive to prove he should have gone in the first round.

 

[Anaheim4ever]

So he's our Kaliyev ? Slow skater but extremely Skilled and also Russian American like Kaliyev..
What a steal to get 1st round talent in the 3rd round.

 

[Mr Rogers]

I just think he's gonna make it big at some point. Will be very interesting to watch his progression.

In a draft like this, who knows, he may just end up being the best to come out in 10 years

 

[Paul4587]

This is my favorite pick of the draft for us. This guy is going to play in the top 6 at the NHL level. His offensive skill level is off the charts.

 

[bsu]

Jason Robertson.

 

[mightyquack]

Fantastic pick, that's the high skill injection we needed from this draft. If an 18 year old's biggest issue is skating - then I'm a very happy fan, what an easy fix.

 

[duxfan1101]

Pastujov will be in action tomorrow at 10am PST for USA White against Finland at the World Junior Summer Showcase.

 

[bsu]

Pastujov will be in action tomorrow at 10am PST for USA White against Finland at the World Junior Summer Showcase.

Where is that being broadcasted?

 

[duxfan1101]

Where is that being broadcasted?