Maxmillian Mares

Scouting Notes

While not elite, his skating is more than adequate for a player of his size and is not a limiting factor in his projection. There has been noticeable improvement, and continued development in lower-body strength could add more force to his stride. His edges are better than they might initially appear, with decent rotation and a willingness to attack off the outside edge. He naturally looks to use power moves to create separation off the rush, but needs a stronger skating foundation to execute them consistently. Improving his stop-start ability will be important in winning more races and creating separation in tight areas. He shows good acceleration once up to speed, giving him a foundation to build on as his skating strength develops.

Much of his offensive production projects to come from around the net, including net-front opportunities, rebounds and deflections. He is effective in these situations, using a quick stick to beat defenders to pucks and finish around the crease. He also does a good job presenting himself as a target when teammates get pucks on net. While he may not project as a high-volume perimeter shooter, his ability to generate offence in high-danger areas gives him a clear offensive identity.

For a player of his size, he shows decent puck reception ability, including effective skate-to-stick plays and some soft hands in tight. He has a particularly effective stick around the net, where his reach allows him to get onto pucks that other players might not access. He is not yet a consistent one-on-one puck handler, but there are flashes of an ability to beat defenders with his size and puck control on the rush. For now, he projects more as a direct chip-and-chase player through the neutral zone than a dynamic puck carrier, although there may be room for further development in this area.

He projects more as a simple connector than a primary playmaker. He can contribute to possession and move pucks through short areas, but he is not someone who consistently drives offence or creates high-level scoring opportunities for teammates. His playmaking value comes largely from his net-front presence, where he can create opportunities through screens, rebounds and quick touches. He shows some useful short-area skills, but he is not a player who consistently stretches the ice or manipulates defensive coverage with his distribution.

His game is built around getting to the net and using his size to create advantages in high-danger areas. He naturally looks for power moves toward the crease and shows excellent instincts as a screen in front of the goaltender. He understands where to position himself when teammates are shooting and can make himself a difficult player to defend around the net. This gives him a relatively clear offensive role, even if his ability to create chances independently remains a work in progress.

Defensively, he generally stays within the structure of the zone but can be late identifying assignments and recognizing developing situations. His defensive reliability remains an area to monitor, particularly if he is to remain at centre. Improving his awareness and consistency away from the puck will be important to earning trust in a more demanding two-way role.

He brings good effort on the forecheck and is willing to finish checks on opposing players. His long reach helps him apply pressure in pursuit and disrupt puck carriers, while his eagerness to engage along the boards adds to his physical projection. As he continues to fill out and add strength, he has the potential to become a difficult player to handle physically. Additional strength should also complement his preferred power-oriented style of play, improving both his ability to win battles and his effectiveness on the move.

The central question in his projection is whether he ultimately fits best at centre or on the wing. He is not yet particularly reliable defensively, is not a standout in the faceoff circle and does not project as a high-end distributor. Those limitations could make the wing a more natural fit, where his size, forechecking effort and net-front scoring ability would be easier to leverage. However, the possibility of him developing into a centre remains intriguing. His physical template, improving skating and willingness to play a direct, power-oriented game provide an interesting foundation. Continued gains in skating strength, defensive awareness and faceoff ability will help determine whether he can handle the responsibilities of the position.

Overall, he is a big-bodied forward with a clear net-front identity, useful physical tools and encouraging skating progression. He projects as a direct, hard-working player who can generate offence around the crease, pressure defenders on the forecheck and create advantages through his size. His ceiling will depend on how much his skating and strength improve, as well as whether he can develop the defensive awareness and playmaking required to remain at centre. If those areas progress, he could offer more versatility than his current straightforward offensive game suggests.