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

[neo45]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Hockey Canada seems to put a lot of stock in past experience with the program.

And he played with the U18 program and the U17 program.

He is probably the leading candidate for the WJ team at the moment

He also won top goaltender at the u18s and was voted top 3 on Canada's team, so Hockey Canada probably loves him

[Ashasx]

Mason McDonald was ranked as the top goalie in the QMJHL by the coaches: http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/junio...at-everything/

Vote wasn't particularly close.

[Bandwagon In Flames]

There was an early scare of a younger goalie coming in and stealing starts from McDonald, but that seems to be in the past.

Goaltending is probably the Flames biggest strength in regards to prospect pool. Between Ortio, Gillies and McDonald I think we have a franchise goalie. Time will tell though as Goalies are hard to predict.

[codynw]

Is he the favourite to start in the WJC? I can't think of anyone else.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by Bandwagon In Flames

There was an early scare of a younger goalie coming in and stealing starts from McDonald, but that seems to be in the past.

Goaltending is probably the Flames biggest strength in regards to prospect pool. Between Ortio, Gillies and McDonald I think we have a franchise goalie. Time will tell though as Goalies are hard to predict.

Schneider was also very impressive in camp - so much so the Flames signed him. Rough start (stats-wise - haven't watched a single game of Juniors yet this season) to the season, but he definitely looked really good in camp.

[handgroen]

bump

this would be an appropriate place for macdonald v demko opinions

[Trailer Fire]

I love reading about MM and Demko in a Parsons thread...

[tvp2003]

Looking back in hindsight, the Flames already had Gillies developing nicely at Providence when they selected McDonald. Arguably they went for the "higher risk, higher reward" pick (versus a safer pick with Demko) because Gillies was already in the system.

[Bingo]

Drafting 18 year olds isn't simply picking the best 18 year old, that's only part of it. The kids that don't improve after that won't make it to the NHL, unless they are top 10 picks.

It's as much picking kids on an arch, and then digging into character, genetics (if they're small), looking for a way to predict what a kid will do between 18 and 20 and then again between 20 and 22.

Mason McDonald was picking up momentum, he's a good kid, he's lanky and tall, you put that together and you likely see his arch has having more momentum so you trust in it.

Sometimes it works (Fox's season this year is a great example), sometimes it doesn't.

But second guessing these split decisions is for the fan that loves to be miserable. It happens to every organization every year.

A GM or scouting staff is a like a major league hitter, the best only get it right 35% of the time.

[Monahan For Mayor]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Drafting 18 year olds isn't simply picking the best 18 year old, that's only part of it. The kids that don't improve after that won't make it to the NHL, unless they are top 10 picks.

It's as much picking kids on an arch, and then digging into character, genetics (if they're small), looking for a way to predict what a kid will do between 18 and 20 and then again between 20 and 22.

Mason McDonald was picking up momentum, he's a good kid, he's lanky and tall, you put that together and you likely see his arch has having more momentum so you trust in it.

Sometimes it works (Fox's season this year is a great example), sometimes it doesn't.

But second guessing these split decisions is for the fan that loves to be miserable. It happens to every organization every year.

A GM or scouting staff is a like a major league hitter, the best only get it right 35% of the time.

While I agree with lots of what you said. When your batting 0% for an extended period of time, do you take the base hit or continue swinging for the fences ? In my opinion you take the safe bet. It's not like Demko was viewed at having a much lower ceiling than MM. In the end it doesn't really matter, MM isn't a bust yet and the flames have insane goaltending prospect depth.

[LIP MAN]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Drafting 18 year olds isn't simply picking the best 18 year old, that's only part of it. The kids that don't improve after that won't make it to the NHL, unless they are top 10 picks.

It's as much picking kids on an arch, and then digging into character, genetics (if they're small), looking for a way to predict what a kid will do between 18 and 20 and then again between 20 and 22.

Mason McDonald was picking up momentum, he's a good kid, he's lanky and tall, you put that together and you likely see his arch has having more momentum so you trust in it.

Sometimes it works (Fox's season this year is a great example), sometimes it doesn't.

But second guessing these split decisions is for the fan that loves to be miserable. It happens to every organization every year.

A GM or scouting staff is a like a major league hitter, the best only get it right 35% of the time.

Damn right. Would be nice to have Demko, but with the goalies in our system we're still deep. I'm unsure if we pick Parsons if MM pans out, and he could be a stud for us.

[PeteMoss]

Its not like Demko is lighting the world on fire. Pretty much identical stats to Gillies who most AHL watchers have been relatively disappointed in this year. Obviously Demko > McDonald at this point.

But look at all of the goalies from that draft. Except for Ville Husso with St.Louis, all of the guys picked in the top 4 rounds have struggled in the AHL/ECHL or are in Europe. The 3rd goalie picked - Nedeljkovic has been bad this year as well. Still way too early to call anyone a hit or a miss.

[LIP MAN]

Originally Posted by PeteMoss

Its not like Demko is lighting the world on fire. Pretty much identical stats to Gillies who most AHL watchers have been relatively disappointed in this year. Obviously Demko > McDonald at this point.

But look at all of the goalies from that draft. Except for Ville Husso with St.Louis, all of the guys picked in the top 4 rounds have struggled in the AHL/ECHL or are in Europe. The 3rd goalie picked - Nedeljkovic has been bad this year as well. Still way too early to call anyone a hit or a miss.

Although Gillies seems to have hit a stride. Liked what I saw in his first game here. Albeit a super tiny sample size.