[News] With the 34th overall pick the Flames select G Mason McDonald

[ComixZone]

Flames likely knew a run on goalies would happen early and they wanted their guy.

Goalies are hard to develop, so if Treliving's sees something special in this kid, I'll trust him. It's a very interesting pick.

Don't hate it at all.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Probably because history shows that when it comes to goalies, it's a total crapshoot. For a high 2nd rounder, where you could still get some "1st round" type of guys, you shouldn't try to guess the magic unicorn of hockey.

I agree with this, for the most part.

The run of goalies starting with this kid in the 2nd round is interesting. Goalies seem toast in the first round, looks like teams are less cranky towards them outside that initial round though.

[neo45]

I think its perfectly fair to criticize taking a project goalie with this high of a pick

[sureLoss]

http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/Sports/...or-draft-day/1

Mason McDonald

Who – An 18-year-old goalie for the Charlottetown Islanders of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

Hometown – Halifax.

Size – Six-foot-four, 186-pounds.

What’s up? McDonald is one of the top goaltending prospects for this year’s NHL draft, which starts Friday in Philadelphia.

Rankings – NHL Central Scouting has McDonald as the second-ranked North American goalie behind Boston College’s Thatcher Demko.

2013-14 statistics

GP W L GAA Sav%

29 8 18 3.44 .900

Did you know? McDonald’s glove hand is his right hand, which is less common. “I think it kind of throws shooters off at some point,” McDonald said. A few NHL goalies who caught with their right hand are Grant Fuhr, Tom Barrasso, Jose Theodore and Tomas

[kyuss275]

We needed goalie depth. Good pick, no chance he was going to be around at 54.

[Jagermeister]

I think the Flames feel they will still get a very good defenceman at 54 and they knew that both of MacDonald and Demko wouldn't be available at 54.

[PeteMoss]

Was never impressed with Demko when watching BC. Was surprised he was rated so highly.

[dammage79]

Wrong thread.

[JiriHrdina]

Seemed to spark a run on tenders

[DOOM]

Originally Posted by neo45

I think its perfectly fair to criticize taking a project goalie with this high of a pick

Its really not, considering three others went right after.

None of them likely would of been around for our other 2nd round pick.

[albertGQ]

Was he invited to the Canadian WJC summer camp?

[sureLoss]

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports...raft/10772577/

However, at Red Line, we see him as just one of a closely ranked top four grouping. Overall, we find the netminding class to be a mediocre bunch without a true top-end talent, albeit with decent depth through the middle rounds. We expect to see probably eight to 10 goalies selected in the first three rounds in Philadelphia next week.

For Red Line, the No. 1 guy, by a whisker, is Mason McDonald, who combines great length and wingspan with really good flexibility and athleticism for a gangly kid. He barely got to play in the season's first half while backing up a veteran, but blossomed after a midseason trade. McDonald showed improved techniques, strong lateral movement and a willingness to challenge shooters aggressively. For our money, he has the most long-term upside.

[#-3]

There the Flames go being cheap again, not wanting to buy new name plates. Just give the kid Joeys Jerseys.

[Racki]

Originally Posted by PeteMoss

Was never impressed with Demko when watching BC. Was surprised he was rated so highly.

Same here. I didn't watch a ton of BC games (maybe 6 or 7 total) but I wasn't impressed by him at all.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by #-3

There the Flames go being cheap again, not wanting to buy new name plates. Just give the kid Joeys Jerseys.

Mc, not Mac

[sureLoss]

[OzSome]

He was actually pretty good on the Prospect Game. Big goalie but I am kind of dissapointed we didn't get the pest Lemeiux. So, we have Ramo, Ortio, Gilles and not sure if Olivier Roy will stay as our goalie pool. I guess they are stockpiling goalies then. Did I miss anyone?

[sureLoss]

Aaron Vickers @AAVickers
For those that keep track of this sort of thing, McDonald's name bar was sewn on. #NHLDraft

[J epworth]

Originally Posted by OzSome

He was actually pretty good on the Prospect Game. Big goalie but I am kind of dissapointed we didn't get the pest Lemeiux. So, we have Ramo, Ortio, Gilles and not sure if Olivier Roy will stay as our goalie pool. I guess they are stockpiling goalies then. Did I miss anyone?

Lemieux was picked 31st so we couldn't get him anyways

[JJ1532]

Ha, Lemiuex is gutted he has gone to the Sabres. Bet he wanted a play off team late in the first.