We are less than a month away from the 2021 NHL Entry Draft (July 23-24), so it’s time to start researching the prospects likely to be selected in the first round. The Columbus Blue Jackets currently hold three picks in that round: #5, #24, and #30 or #31.
Mason McTavish
Position: Center
Team: Peterborough Petes/EHC Olten (Swiss)
Date of Birth: January 30, 2003
Birthplace: Zürich, Switzerland
Height: 6’ 2”
Weight: 207
Shoots: Left
Rankings
Ranked #11 by CONSOLIDATED RANKING
Ranked #5 by ELITEPROSPECTS.COM
Ranked #15 by FCHOCKEY
Ranked #9 by NEUTRAL ZONE
Ranked #7 by MCKEEN’S HOCKEY
Ranked #14 by TSN/CRAIG BUTTON
Ranked #2 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (NA Skaters)
Ranked #9 by SPORTSNET’S
Ranked #9 by RECRUIT SCOUTING
Ranked #8 by DOBBERPROSPECTS
Ranked #9 by DRAFT PROSPECTS HOCKEY
Ranked #13 by SMAHT SCOUTING
Ranked #17 by THE PUCK AUTHORITY
Ranked #11 by TSN/McKenzie
2019-20 Stats (OHL)
Games Played: 57
Goals: 29
Assists: 13
Points: 42
PIM: 31
2020-21 Stats (Swiss League)
Games Played: 13
Goals: 9
Assists: 2
Points: 11
PIM: 6
If Dylan Guenther isn’t available at #5, Mason McTavish is my guy. There may be a bit more risk with taking McTavish over Eklund or Beniers, but McTavish has the competitiveness, size, and skill to be a difference maker. The Swiss-born Canadian has been a quick riser in the rankings over the past year. Scouting reports praise his physicality, aggressiveness, and “wicked shot.” He managed to go 5-6-11 in 7 games for Canada in the U18s. Not only that, but he captained the team to their first gold medal since 2013. Watch the highlights and read the scouting reports – I don’t think this kid will be waiting too long for his name to be called. My prediction is this: A few seasons from now, teams are going to hate playing against McTavish.
Scouting Reports
McTavish had the looks of a hired gun with a physical edge and nice hands in tight coming into the year. As we head into the draft shortly, he goes in looking like a much more complete player with a wicked shot from anywhere, physicality, and a cycle game that can wear on defenders, all wrapped up in a player who has some positional versatility and defensive acumen that wasn’t expected. I’m happy to say I was dead wrong on McTavish earlier this season. – Tony Ferrari, Dobber Prospects
… I would argue that McTavish’s best hockey of this season came in the final games of the regular season and into the Swiss League playoffs with Olten. After a slow start, he became a force in Switzerland’s second-tier pro league, overwhelming players sometimes twice his age with his size and his heaviness. It can be hard to spot “competitiveness” in players and I think we can think we see it and then place too much emphasis on it when we do, but McTavish is a competitive, heavyset player with an NHL shot and a middle-lane approach. He’s going to need to work to stay in top shape throughout his career and there are still times when I think he can tunnel-vision, but he’s got a real case to be taken in the draft’s first half-dozen picks and I doubt he’s still available at [the tenth spot]. – Scott Wheeler, The Athletic
In general, his positioning is strong. He will pay close attention to puck movement along the boards and will stand in low danger to keep his opponents further out. With that being said, McTavish isn’t timid and will slide towards a defender at the point to block low danger shot attempts. – Smaht Scouting
Highlights
Would you take Mason McTavish at #5?
| Yes | 23 |
| No | 10 |
| Only if Clarke is gone | 2 |
| Only if Guenther is gone | 4 |
| Other (tell us in the comments) | 2 |