Jay McClement Statistics & Scouting Report

Jay McClement Scouting Report by Gus Katsaros and Ryan Dadoun

After recording between 20 and 36 points in each of his first six NHL seasons, McClement took a step back offensively in his first and only full campaign with the Colorado Avalanche, scoring 10 goals and 17 points in 80 games. He finished 13th in total even-strength ice time, while leaned on heavily in shorthanded situations. The Kingston, Ontario native recorded just 95 shots on goal, ending up with a career-high 10.5 shooting percentage. McClement isn’t the most physical of bottom-six forwards, as evidenced by his 72 hits last season and he doesn’t fully take advantage of his impressive frame. The former second-round pick efficiently defends through sound positioning and keen instincts. He needs to rely on that due to a lack of a top gear while his start up and stride are sluggish. The 29-year-old pivot has a high hockey IQ with superb anticipation and play selection before an attacker even begins to execute. Toronto finished fourth in the NHL with a 51.6 faceoff percentage last season and McClement will provide them with yet another solid asset in that regard. Great arm strength and low center of gravity makes him a force when doing battle at the face-off dot. The Maple Leafs signed him to a two-year, $3 million deal over the summer. He will help Toronto bounce back after posting an appalling 77.3 penalty-killing percentage last season and should be penciled in as the team’s third-line centre.