Columbus Blue Jacket Prospect Watch: Max McCue

This guy is mean. He plays the game with a dogged will and determination to make the other team hate him, and it works.

McCue plays the game in the most basic, straight line fashion you can imagine. That's not a knock at all, it's simple and effective. He finishes every single check, often disregarding the puck entirely to finish by taking the body.

It's not just that he hits - he hits hard and punishes the opponent every chance he gets. He's not a goon in the traditional sense. He can play the game too, with average skating, hands, maybe slightly above average goal scoring because of his willingness to go to the net and shoot.

But, his physical style makes him a player who can contribute in the AHL at the very least. He will probably step right into that league and be unanimously hated by every other team right away. Whether or not that will translate to the NHL, will have to be seen. It will take some time if he does get there.

This is an interesting add by John Davidson and the Blue Jackets. It certainly has the London Knights connection; but I don't see that as the sole reason for the team signing him.

I think this should serve as notice: the Jackets, and the Monsters, want to be harder to play against. Max McCue brings some grit and competitiveness to the organization.