Detroit Red Wings: The Top Three Centers in the Draft

Mason McTavish

After the OHL cancelled the 2021 season, Mason McTavish made his way over to Switzerland to play with EHC Olten. There, McTavish scored 18 points in 17 games (11 goals and 7 assists). McTavish also continued to impress at with Canada at the U-18 tournaments, scoring five goals and six assists in seven games.

McTavish is all over the place in terms of draft placement. Some have him as a mid to late first rounder, but after a strong performance with Team Canada, McTavish seems to be landing himself in the conversation of a top-ten player. With good reason.

McTavish is a big (6-foot-2), physical center who is surprisingly skilled for his size. He’s a more than capable skater that possesses a highly-dangerous offensive combination: a smart passer, a good shooter, skilled hands and a great offensive IQ. While his offensive skillset is highly touted, his defense needs some work. There are times where he seems aloof in his own d-zone and his motor seems to cool down significantly outside of the offensive zone.

Drafting McTavish as high as 6th seems to be a bit of reach, at least based on most NHL mock drafts. However, fans have seen just how little Yzerman cares about draft projections (Moritz Seider, anyone?). If Yzerman thinks McTavish is a fit for the organization, he’ll take him there. And there’s a chance he does.

It’s true that Detroit seems to like their centers as two-way players; defensively sound and offensively responsible. But Stevie isn’t afraid to take on a project: if he believes he can fix McTavish defensively, it might be a sneaky-good fit for Detroit at 6th. McTavish would provide some well-needed raw skill down the middle, and has the potential to slot into that 1B/2nd line center that the organization is looking for.