“Playing His Best Hockey” The Cats Claw 2nd Edition
You won’t see his name on the score sheet a lot and that’s perfectly ok because he impacts the game in countless other ways. You won’t see him get selected as a star of the game, because that style of play is always overlooked these days. You probably won’t even see him get “Hardest Worker of the Game” because that’s just the way he plays every night and people have just come to expect it from him.
Just like any other shutdown nasty in your face defender you probably haven’t seen or appreciated the impact that Dylan MacKinnon has had on the Moncton Wildcats.
It shouldn’t be a secret, but Dylan MacKinnon is playing his best hockey of his career right now. MacKinnon isn’t flash or dash, he just locks things down, that’s his job, that’s his role and most importantly that’s his identity.
The 19-year-old is trying to earn an invite and roster spot on Team Canada’s World Junior’s squad plus earn an entry level contract from the Nashville Predators. To say there’s a lot to play for right now would be a massive understatement, but MacKinnon has handled all of the added pressure like a true pro. MacKinnon was brought in to solidify the Wildcats D corps for what they hope to be a long championship run.
Photo Credit (Dale Preston/Getty Images)
There’s no question the acquisition of MacKinnon was meant to sure up the right side, but it has also provided much needed balance to their pairings. The former Halifax Mooseheads 1st rounder has seen an assortment of D partners in his first foray with the Cats, but it would appear a newly formed defensive duo will provide a shutdown presence that rivals any other in the league.
Boston Bruins 2024 6th round draft selection Loke Johansson and MacKinnon have developed a solid chemistry over the last few games for the Wildcats.
MacKinnon can provide offensive opportunities and can generate chances, while the B’s have gone on record saying Johansson needs to work on and discover his offensive game. The newly formed tandem can undoubtedly support one another in any facet, but their presence is best suited wreaking havoc on opposing team’s top lines.
You see if MacKinnon and Johansson want to have an impact at the next level, they will have to continue to be mean, nasty, hard to play against simple defensive defenders first before they can deliver and contribute offensively.
Some would look at MacKinnon’s stats and question his contribution and style of play over the last two and a half seasons. Some would look at that “perceived decline” as being detrimental to his progression and growth, it’s the complete opposite. Clearly at the AHL and NHL level, organizations are looking for defencemen to contribute to the offensive side of things, but for MacKinnon it’s all about being efficient and effective when the puck is on his stick in all three zones or in transition. MacKinnon’s confidence with the puck is increasing every time out, the subtle little plays that were or appeared difficult over the past year and a half look a lot easier for him now and very routine. Efficiency is a critical tool for young defenders to possess at the pro level, without it they struggle to gain traction at that level and find themselves in the stands or demoted.
MacKinnon’s offensive stat line might not look to attractive right now, but the full body of his work is paying dividends for the Moncton Wildcats.
Here’s a look back at my final scouting report on MacKinnon prior to the 2023 NHL Entry Draft.
Dylan MacKinnon RSD Halifax Mooseheads
Skilled. Hardworking. Intelligent. Focused. Poised. Confident. Dylan MacKinnon possesses all the intangibles it takes to become an effective defender at the next level. I’ve had the privilege of watching this kid play the game he loves since he was 15 years old, he’s worked incredibly hard to get to this point in his career, Dylan is a transitional defender that skates extremely well, he’s tremendously agile and mobile for his size. He has all the tools to be a two and a half zone defender at the next level. His speed and agility coupled with his puck skills creates havoc for would be forecheckers, he skates out of trouble and distributes pucks with relative ease. He reads the ice extremely well and is has a great first pass, his escapability and instincts for the game and position are definitely his strongest attributes and will serve him well at the next level. MacKinnon can play any style of game and is flat out nasty to play against, He takes a lot of pride in the playing the game and position the right way, the hard way and never quits when it comes to one-on-one puck battles.
You won’t see Dylan MacKinnon’s name on the score sheet a ton and that’s perfectly ok because he impacts the game in countless other ways. You won’t see MacKinnon get selected as a star of the game, because that style of play is always overlooked these days.
You probably won’t even see MacKinnon get “Hardest Worker of the Game” because that’s just the way he plays every night and people have just come to expect it from him. Just like any other shutdown nasty in your face defender in the QMJHL. You probably haven’t seen or appreciated the impact that Dylan MacKinnon continues to have on the Moncton Wildcats. He’s playing his best hockey of his career at the perfect time.
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