|
|
Post by NWTHabsFan on Jun 27, 2009 10:08:23 GMT -5
Tall defender from US prep school in the northeast (Hotchkiss). This from tsn.ca:
NHL Central Scouting's Gary Eggleston: "Mac is a very strong skater with good acceleration and overall speed. He has very good lateral mobility and moves his feet quickly. He can lead the rush and moves the puck quickly from his own end. He has a very strong shot from the point. He is a very good passer. He runs the power play and distributes the puck well. His defensive zone play is very good. He is quick to gain and maintain control of the puck and moves it out quickly."
Hotchkiss head coach Damon White: "I first saw Mac as an eighth grader competing in a bantam tournament at the Berkshire School and you could tell right away that he was the smartest player on the ice. He had terrific vision, could pass the puck very well and made very good decisions. He's a tough kid in the sense that he never shies away. He's not afraid to go into the corner with anybody; he's comfortable in dark places. He's got tremendous passion for the game and works his tail off in the weight room."
|
|
|
|
Post by CrocRob on Jun 27, 2009 10:15:40 GMT -5
I think I read somewhere he's going to Michigan.
|
|
|
|
Post by NWTHabsFan on Jun 27, 2009 10:15:49 GMT -5
6'0" 170 lbs skinny defender who is off to U of Michigan in the fall.
Big time skater with tons of offensive and puck skills. Good first pass and still needs to add strength.
|
|
|
|
Post by Lord Bebop on Jun 27, 2009 10:16:24 GMT -5
Seems like a good pickup. A smallish player but seems smart enough according to some scouting reports. A left-handed dman which is a spot we need depth.
|
|
|
|
Post by Anardil1 on Jun 27, 2009 10:29:42 GMT -5
6'0" 170 lbs skinny defender who is off to U of Michigan in the fall. Big time skater with tons of offensive and puck skills. Good first pass and still needs to add strength. Just a small correction, he's going to Michigan in 2010. |
|
|
|
Post by clear observer on Jun 27, 2009 10:48:50 GMT -5
I absolutely LOVE this pick!
|
|
|
|
Post by NWTHabsFan on Jun 27, 2009 10:53:05 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by NWTHabsFan on Jun 27, 2009 10:53:26 GMT -5
6'0" 170 lbs skinny defender who is off to U of Michigan in the fall. Big time skater with tons of offensive and puck skills. Good first pass and still needs to add strength. Just a small correction, he's going to Michigan in 2010. Thanks for the correction. Edit: He is off to Cedar Rapids of the USHL next season before he heads to the Wolverines the following year. |
|
|
|
Post by NWTHabsFan on Jun 28, 2009 0:19:12 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by Roggy on Jun 28, 2009 10:05:04 GMT -5
From Red Line's Draft Guide
Mac Bennett - Hotchkiss School LD
Highly mobile and skilled blue-liner who loves to take the puck and go with it - time and again shows his offensive aggression with the puck, continually rushing it up the ice and joining the play, even skating in deep behind the net. Terriffic skater with dynamic speed and acceleration - has recovery speed to get back on defence. Sees the ice well and creates plenty of chances. Quick feet and a talented puck mover who runs the PP well. Was injured for much of the brief prep season, so he's had less exposure. Despite hs offensive gifts, he's an average sizzed defender who makes some odd decisions in his own end and shows a lack of defensive hockey sense on occasion. D-zone awareness is also lacking - needs to read situations better and react quicker.
Projection: #5 D-man & PP specialist.
Style compares to: Tobias Enstrom
|
|
|
|
Post by blny on Jun 28, 2009 10:12:58 GMT -5
Looking at who we've drafted as defenders over the last few years, it's predominantly puck movers. Those are surely required, but do we not need to look at getting some big bodies too? Maybe mgt feels that beef can be found on the open market, and skill should be drafted.
|
|
|
|
Post by habsask on Jun 28, 2009 22:15:08 GMT -5
Looking at who we've drafted as defenders over the last few years, it's predominantly puck movers. Those are surely required, but do we not need to look at getting some big bodies too? Maybe mgt feels that beef can be found on the open market, and skill should be drafted. Looking over the prospects we have McDonagh 6'1", 212 lbs; Shawn Bell 6'2", 211 lbs; Greg Pateryn 6'2", 212 lbs. Fischer is 6'3" but is a bean stalk at 185 lbs- he needs to put on a substantial amount of muscle before he's NHL ready. (all figures from Hockey's Future) So some guys with good size and solidity (if they make it, tho only McDonagh looks a sure thing) but no really big guys in the Komi/Pronger mold in the system. It would be nice to get one or two if they can skate and are sound defensively especially assuming Komi is gone. HA would be happy. |
|
|
|
Post by NWTHabsFan on Jun 29, 2009 0:44:42 GMT -5
Looking at who we've drafted as defenders over the last few years, it's predominantly puck movers. Those are surely required, but do we not need to look at getting some big bodies too? Maybe mgt feels that beef can be found on the open market, and skill should be drafted. Looking over the prospects we have McDonagh 6'1", 212 lbs; Shawn Bell 6'2", 211 lbs; Greg Pateryn 6'2", 212 lbs. Fischer is 6'3" but is a bean stalk at 185 lbs- he needs to put on a substantial amount of muscle before he's NHL ready. (all figures from Hockey's Future) So some guys with good size and solidity (if they make it, tho only McDonagh looks a sure thing) but no really big guys in the Komi/Pronger mold in the system. It would be nice to get one or two if they can skate and are sound defensively especially assuming Komi is gone. HA would be happy. Fischer's up to 203 on the latest roster info from U of Minnesota. He still does not play an overly physical game, but used his great skating ability to angle out and check players down low. He definitely looked to have bulked out this last season and he did not look anywhere near as rangy as he had the season before. www.gophersports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=38856&SPID=3322&DB_OEM_ID=8400&ATCLID=561301&Q_SEASON=2008The most physical of all defensive prospects was little known Philippe Paquet who just finished up his NCAA career and is in contract limbo right now. Not sure if the Habs will invite him to camp with the thoughts of an AHL contract. Belle is a tough guy and can get from A to B really nicely as he is also a really good skater for a big man. With Jancevski gone and Alex Henry likely gone, Belle will be looked to be the tough Dman next season in Hamilton. Pateryn is an interesting one. He seems pretty good at a lot of things, but nothing that jumps out at you as great. A little under the radar screen but with a really nice package. He actually took full advantage of some injuries and did the most with his icetime as a rookie in Michigan. Tough roster to crack as a freshie. |
|
|
|
Post by Boston_Habs on Jun 29, 2009 16:14:10 GMT -5
Playing for Cedar Rapids in the USHL next year. He may have repeated a grade in school for a variety of reasons. Same with Danny Kristo, who is entering North Dakota this fall as a 19-year old.
He definitely fits the mold of the modern NHL dman. Makes you realize how much difference a bit more height can make. Probably a 1st round pick if he was 6'1". Between Weber, Subban, McDonagh, Fischer, Carle, Bennett.... you have to think 1-2 of these guys can develop into legit top 4 dmen.
|
|
