OA Analysis: Matt MacKenzie

Technically Carter Ashton is next on the list I made, and I know I said I don't make predictions, but I'm pretty sure I can predict with near perfect accuracy that Ashton will NOT be back as a 20-year-old so I'm not going to do an OA analysis on him.  If the planet gets knocked off its axis and he is back, then I'll...well, I don't know what I'll do.  Moving on...

Big Mac's stats from WHL:

Regular Season

Season Team                                                  GP G A PTS +/- PIM

2010-11 Regular Season Tri-City Americans        33 5 10 15 4 36

2010-11 Regular Season Calgary Hitmen             40 2 21 23 -13 50

2009-10 Regular Season Calgary Hitmen             64 6 34 40 16 62

2008-09 Regular Season Calgary Hitmen             49 3 9 12 11 24

2007-08 Regular Season Calgary Hitmen             39 2 6 8 15 8

Total:                                                           225 18 80 98 33 180

Playoffs

Season Team                                                  GP G A PTS +/- PIM

2011 WHL Playoffs Tri-City Americans               10 1 4 5 -1 6

2010 WHL Playoffs Calgary Hitmen                    23 6 10 16 9 31

2009 WHL Playoffs Calgary Hitmen                    16 0 2 2 7 4

2008 WHL Playoffs Calgary Hitmen                      6 1 2 3 3 2

Total:                                                             55 8 18 26 18 43

As I mentioned on the analysis of Brock, I think the makeup of the 2011-12 team will depend on what happens with Big Mac.

WHY HE'LL BE KEPT:  He's good.  Very good.  Tough, reliable, smart with the puck.  Leadership, experience.  He's a skilled veteran who would be the anchor of the D-corps.  He logs big minutes, skates well, and you know you'll get a solid effort from him every shift of every game.  Matt isn't a big-time offensive defenseman, but if he's paired with Yuen, Zachary can take care of that part for the both of them.  Big Mac does have a wicked slapshot from the point which makes me tingly in my lady bits.  I have a thing for defensemen, especially ones with a sexy slapsot.

WHY HE WON'T BE KEPT:  Buffalo Sabres keep him.  IMO that would be the only reason he wouldn't be back.  I don't see Bob trading or releasing Matt, he's too valuable.

SPOKANT SAYS:  Pros:  Solid d-man with a wicked shot from the point.  There isn't anything fancy about Matt, he does his job quietly, but you always know he's going to do it right.  Probably couldn't ask for a better veteran presence.

Cons:  Will he be unhappy about being sent back?  And if so, will it affect his game?  Not a particularly gritty player which this team will need in light of losing Tyler Schmidt.

My guess:  It's up to the Sabres, though it's looking more and more like he'll be coming back.  I don't see Bob trading a player who he paid so much for and who is, most importantly, so good.