In the lead up to the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, we have already examined several young players who could potentially add various new elements into the Kings prospect pool. However, there’s something to be said about fitting and matching. As MayorsManor editor John Hoven said recently here, the current focus is more about finding the right prospect, rather than just adding more prospects.
With that in mind, let’s now take a look at one such player who could fit right in for Los Angeles.
MASON MCTAVISH
Vitals
Date of Birth: January 30, 2003
Height: 6’2
Weight: 207 lbs
Shoots: Left
Position: Forward
2020-21 Season
With the OHL shut down, taking Peterborough off the table, McTavish opted to spend his 2020-21 season playing for EHC Olten in the Swiss League. He scored 11 points (9 G, 2 A) in 13 games.
The Most Interesting Teammate
We have said many times on MayorsManor that future Kings forward Akil Thomas is the most interesting prospect. Perhaps his realm of influence has found McTavish, who played alongside Thomas during the 2019-20 season after Canada’s WJC hero was traded to Peterborough for the second half of his final season in the OHL.
In His Father’s Footsteps
The son of Dale McTavish, Mason was born in Zurich, Switzerland. The elder only played 9 NHL games, carving most of his playing career in Europe. When Dad was done as a player, he took up a management position, eventually purchasing and coaching CCHL’s Pembroke Lumber Kings. Father and son shared a bench in 2018-19, as the Owner/General Manager/Head Coach helped mold the younger McTavish.
When he was selected in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection Draft, Mason had the opportunity to continue following in his father’s footsteps, as Dale also played Major Junior hockey for the Peterborough Petes. Father and son’s rookie seasons for the same club were 30 years apart.
As COVID threatened the start of McTavish’s second season for Peterborough, his dual-citizenship allowed the two paths to converge forward, as they have now both played professional hockey in Switzerland.
Homecoming King
Many would think adjusting from North American ice to Europe, then back to North America, would be a bit disorienting. It wasn’t the case for McTavish at the U-18 World Junior tournament. After returning to represent Canada in their gold medal run, McTavish tied for fifth overall in tournament scoring and was honored as one of the Top 3 players on his team.
What Our Sources Say
McTavish competes and drives the bus for others to follow. He has good straight away speed for a thicker frame, is solid on his skates, and wins his puck battles. The skill set continues with a deceptively heavy and accurate shot, though he freely distributes the puck even if there’s a shot for himself. Seeing the ice well prevents this from being a problem. Scouts have observed play with a more physical component than most, even noting he seems to like the rough going.
He plays on both special teams and has shown a keen interest in embracing the penalty kill. Coaches also say it’s a commitment and desire to continue improving in this facet.
Some scouts are reminded of a young Ryan Getzlaf, and McTavish instantly and easily earns respect from his teammates.
Rankings by Independent Scouting Services
Ranked ninth by The Draft Analyst. “Violence and aggression are just two of several commonplaces in your typical McTavish shift, but he’s also a highly-skilled playmaker and shooter who causes all sorts of matchup problems for defenses. He too had to play in Europe after his solid 2019-20 campaign with the OHL’s Peterborough Petes; much to the chagrin of the Swiss League opposition who had to deal with his nightly assortment of hits and snipes.”
Ranked tenth by Future Considerations. “McTavish is a mature player that is well-rounded with a high-end shot. He’s an above-average skater with NHL size and strength. He will need to build on his explosiveness and consistency, but is one of the more NHL-ready prospects in this class.”
Ranked fifth by Elite Prospects. “Here’s what makes McTavish so special, though. It’s not that he dominates in the small area game with dazzling 10-bell manoeuvres, swashbuckling his way through defenders. It’s that he courts contact, using it as a means to create space. His ability to weaponize physicality and manipulate defenders is so advanced for a player this age.”
See For Yourself
Here is a shift-by-shift video of McTavish (No. 32 in white) from earlier this year.
Final Comments
As we mentioned earlier, sometimes the “right” prospect comes along. McTavish may not be the left-shot defenseman which would bolster Los Angeles’ cupboard in that position, yet he fits the profile of a typical Kings player: size, skill, and two-way acumen. Current or eventual top-six forwards like Kopitar, Byfield, and Vilardi would be the only players bigger than the 6-foot-2 upcomer. His addition of grit would be a throwback to what Los Angeles displayed during its Cup-winning years.
Along with the skill set he brings, McTavish’s size and recent familiarity playing with adults also makes him one of the more NHL-ready prospects. Los Angeles is no longer trying to rebuild; they’re moving forward. Youngsters who can hang with the big boys sooner than later could be ideal. As with other OHL players, McTavish’s options are either returning to Peterborough next year or playing against NHL teams. Having a man’s body playing in major juniors may not lend to as much growth potential as one would like, though at least going into next season, making the NHL roster would be a longshot anyway.
McTavish skyrocketed up the rankings after his U-18 WJC performance, so this entire discussion for LA may be a moot point if he goes top-five, as some expect. Should he still be there when the eighth pick lands on the board, he may be too tempting for Kings management to pass up.
NOTE: David Hofreiter was the lead contributor in the gathering of information used in this article. You can find him on Twitter @Davidenkness to talk more hockey.
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