[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts (Hidden Gems Edition, Vol. 54):

C Kadon McCann (6'3",201lbs)
Medicine Hat (WHL): 64gp/ 11g/ 7a/ 18pts, +5, 54 PIM

With 20 points in 68 games in 2023-24, much more was expected from C Kadon McCann (ranked # 116 NA Skaters) this season, but he doesn't play a whole lot on a stacked Tigers squad. The Cochrane-born pivot was even given the grade of "C" by Central Scouting in their Preliminary Rankings in September- denoting a possible 4th, or 5th-round pick. To date, McCann is tied for 13th in playoff scoring on the Tigers, with a rather meagre 3 points over 11 games in a checking role, with 14 penalty-minutes. As one might expect, he is a big-bodied power-forward who can affect the play at both ends of the ice with his size and brute force. Though he needs work on his acceleration and first-step quickness, he is like a freight train when he gets going, exerting an excellent top-speed, and a long, projectable stride, with a deep knee bend. He can cover a ton of ice quickly, win long-distance races, and keep up with teammates on the rush. His edges are surprisingly smooth and fluid as well, giving him the ability to turn quickly, and exert uncanny lateral quickness.

McCann employs a robust physical game with a high-end workrate; he's very competitive and gritty, always involved, and willing to drop the gloves on occasion. He's dominant along the boards, a load to handle down-low, plays through contact, and competes hard in the trenches to win most puck-battles. He is intimidating on the forecheck, barrelling in on puck-carriers with speed, and throwing hits to cause disruption, dislodge pucks, and throw breakouts into disarray. McCann plays a very meat-and-potatoes style game- very basic, with no flash or dash, and with no real dynamic traits to speak of. Most of his offensive contributions come from his tunnel-vision in going to the net, and bullying his way inside to the slot for high-danger looks, which leads to second-chance opportunities for teammates. He will put a shoulder down to power his way to the crease, and can drive wide around defenders. He can compliment more skilled players by doing the dirty work for his line in winning pucks along the wall, going to the net to provide a screen, picking up garbage in the blue paint, and getting his stick on tips. His net-front presence makes him a nightmare for opposing defensemen, as he's impossible to move or overpower, and he owns soft hands in-tight; I don't think he takes any shots from outside of 10 feet of the net, but his shot is quick enough to fool goalies, and accurate enough to pick corners, or pop water-bottles. There's not much in the way of vision or creativity in his toolkit, and he's far more of a facilitator than playmaker. While I believe he's vastly better than his stats would indicate, I'm not under the illusion that he'll ever be an offensive player in an NHL team's top-six.

McCann carries the puck with startling poise and confidence; his puck-control is actually quite good, and he protects very proficiently. With excellent sense and awareness, his actions in the zone help limit defensive zone time, and often directly contribute to zone-exits- either with control through passing plays, or by clearing the zone with dump-outs, chip-and-chases, or by playing the puck off the glass. His wingspan, when combined with his lateral quickness, give him enormous range and make him very difficult to bypass. He exerts good pressure on attackers to limit their time and space, and will throw hits to separate his man from the puck. McCann must continue to develop his play in the offensive zone in regards to his hockey sense in making plays, his creativity, and in particular, his space-creation. Until these skills come along, he is most likely destined to be cast in a bottom-six checking role in the pros. Even so, his combination of size, skating, and snarl will entice scouts. Look for him in the middle-rounds.