NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Adam Mascherin

Get to Know: Adam Mascherin

Date of Birth: June 6, 1998
Place of Birth: Toronto, Ontario
Ht: 5′-9″ Wt: 192 lbs
Shoots: Left
Position: Center/LW
Team (League): Kitchner Rangers (OHL)

Statistics

What Scouts See

Curtis Joe, Elite Prospects

Prolific scoring winger who combines an exceedingly high work ethic with speed, skill, and a mature approach to the game to overcome size differentials. An intense competitor with a booming shot, Masherin finds ways to score by outworking the opposition. He may not be the tallest player on the ice, but he isn’t a lightweight either. He plays a fast, heavy game and isn’t afraid to battle against tougher opponents. All-in-all, a lightning rod kind of player who will exceed expectations and bring energy to the game with each shift.

Brock Otten, OHL Prospects

So why isn’t Mascherin generally considered a first rounder? I think there are a variety of reasons. But the most obvious reason is his lack of size coupled with his only average skating ability. Mascherin darts in and out of traffic well, but he lacks true explosiveness. He’s only 5’9, but he is 200lbs, so it’s not the size alone (he’s built similar to Max Domi). It’s the combination of the two (as he’s more than strong enough to handle the rigours of the pro level). I think the other strike is his wavering intensity level on the backcheck and in the defensive end. But offensively, you’ve got a very competent player. Mascherin possesses one of the hardest shots and quickest releases of any player in the draft class. He pounces on loose pucks and doesn’t hesitate a wink when it comes to firing the puck. He’s also an effective player below the hash marks who can really work the possession game using great lower body strength.

What BSN Avalanche sees

His shot made me raise both eyebrows. Hard, fast, accurate – it’s a deadly thing of beauty.  Mascherin also has very good vision and passing to match.  Despite his size, he’s a tank while driving to the net – this is not someone that needs to “fill out” like most 18-year-olds.  He’ll hit and he’ll forecheck with energy.

His skating is a concern.  Even though he’s great at using his bulk, at the next level, he’s not going to be able to keep up with the play unless his speed improves.  He reminds me of a tank in more than one way: he can drive right over you, but asking him to go fast or change direction rapidly isn’t going to end particularly well right now.  It’s something he’ll have to work on.

Highlights

NHL Potential

Well, let’s start with the obvious. He’s 5′-9″. While there have been very successful players in the past few years below the 6′ mark, it creates an uphill battle. Add in some question marks on defense and skating, and it will be difficult for him getting a chance to show off his talents.

However, if he puts it all together, he has the potential to be a very good scorer in the NHL. I doubt he’d end up on a top line, but he’d be a strong addition to a team’s second attack.

Expected Draft Position

Most scouts have him going somewhere in the second round. There seems to be a big cluster of players very close to each other in that range this year, so it’s very difficult to say exactly where he’ll end up. Given his size and question marks, it’s also possible that he slips into the early third.

How Prospect Fits in Avalanche Organization

That shot of his would very much be welcome in the Avalanche pipeline. He’s also not afraid of the front of the net, adding to a dimension of the farm system that’s currently a bit weak. In the second round, finding a player with his offensive upside could be a big seal of the draft.

My only concern would be his size. He plays a tenacious game, but I’m not sure how it will translate to the next level, especially in the West. There are a lot of big players out here with a density to match his own, so he wouldn’t be able to bowl through them anymore.  This removes a huge aspect of his game, and his skating at the moment can’t make up for that.

Either way, it’d be an intriguing pick for Sakic and Co. for sure, but it would take some time to see whether it was the right move or not.