Mason Moe is an offensive center projected to be taken in this year’s draft. Should the Devils seek to select him? Let’s take a look.
Our profiles of 2025 draft-eligible prospects continue with Mason Moe, a center, who the New Jersey Devils should have an opportunity to select.
Who is Mason Moe?
Mason Moe was born March 25, 2007 in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Hockey seems to run in the veins of the Moe children as his sister Ava Moe plays for Eden Prairie High School. Mason is a 6’1’’, 185 pound left-hand shooting center, who after two high school seasons moved over to the Madison Capitols of the USHL.
Moe started out slow for the Capitols potting only two points in twelve games in his first abbreviated season. Last year, something popped for the young center and his game grew to a 17 goal, 43 point effort in 51 contests. The rise even earned Moe some time with the U.S. National U-18 team with Moe scoring three goals and six games. Moe fared better during the Hlinka Gretzky Cup potting four points in five games for Team USA.
Moe is committed to playing next season at the University of Minnesota.
Where is Moe ranked?
In short, somewhere in the third round, mostly.
#53 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (NA Skaters)
What others say about Moe
Mathew Buhrmann of the Hockey Writers has the most complete scouting report available on Moe. I highly suggest reading the whole article here. The consensus from all reports I’ve read seem to tout Moe’s hockey sense, offensive instincts and NHL tools, which should excite people who love tools. As a player expected to be drafted in the third round, it’s not all roses for Mr. Moe. Let’s take a look at some quotes.
First from Neutral Zone:
A Minnesota commit, Moe has consistently produced while playing against quality USHL competition and has flashed NHL-level moments in multiple international events. However, to be considered a mid-round draft asset, Moe must refine his compete level, shooting efficiency, faceoff proficiency, and increase his defensive detail. Neutral Zone
Moe consistently finds his way into scoring areas: his 1.89 Grade “A” chances per game is a top-tier number for a center his age in the USHL. He has scored in a variety of ways this season, from net-front rebounds to clean releases off the rush, and can create separation with his edges by changing the angles of his routes. Neutral Zone
Mason Moe projects as a bottom-six, possession-driven two-way center or versatile winger who can match pace with high-skill linemates and support transition-heavy offensive schemes. If he continues to mature physically and improve his off-puck defensive details, faceoffs, and shooting arsenal, Moe has upside as a low-maintenance NHL contributor in a complementary role. Neutral Zone
For what it’s worth Neutral Zone predicts Moe will be drafted in the 4th or 5th rounds, much lower than most.
Then from the aforementioned Hockey Writers:
Moe projects as a bottom-six, two-way center or versatile winger who can match pace with high-skill linemates and support the rush. If he continues developing physically, improves his defensive details, and sharpens his faceoff skills, he has upside as a dependable NHL contributor in a depth role. The Hockey Writers
He’s not a high-level pick, but his hockey sense, ability to control possession, and adaptability make him a long-term prospect worth tracking. His time at the University of Minnesota will be important, giving him opportunities to improve his shooting, faceoffs, and overall consistency. If he improves those areas, he’s got a good shot to find himself in a depth role at the American Hockey League (AHL)/NHL level. The Hockey Writers
A Little Video
An Opinion
The deeper one goes in the NHL draft the more dart-like the pick becomes and Mason Moe seems to be very much a dart. One thing that encourages me about Moe is that he very much seems to be a player who is on the rise, improving tremendously in the past year. That said, his lack of perceived upside concerns me for a second round pick, even as a late 2nd rounder. The consensus of draft boards seem to agree, but I would also be hesitant about selecting Moe in the 3rd round.
The USHL has earned an increased profile in recent drafts and the Devils have been scouting the league heavily, but players from there without extensive other experience could certainly fall and other than a hot streak at Hlinka, Moe’s other hockey successes are minimal outside of High School hockey. If Moe fell to the fourth or fifth rounds as Neutral Zone or the Hockey Writers suggest he might, rather than the solid third round in most of the mocks, than I would be very excited about this pick as a value selection.
Moe fills a need in the Devils prospect pool as a center with bottom six potential. His lack of physicality is concerning for someone in what would likely need to be in a checking role to succeed at the highest level. However, Moe already has NHL height, so with confidence and a bit more muscle that could increase.
Moreover, while Moe possesses the hockey sense and playmaking for all three zones, his defensive play also seems to need refinement (The Hockey Writers noted a lack of defensive detail as something Moe needs to improve on) and his offensive numbers didn’t exactly jump off the page in the high-scoring USHL. Moe finished 41st in scoring according to Quant Hockey. Solid work, but is it enough to counter his other perceived deficiencies? One has to wonder, especially in a player with a projected ceiling of a bottom six center, defensive play and checking would be vitally important to a long and fruitful NHL career. His profile reminds me of many prospects who are good offensively, but not good enough to play higher up in an NHL lineup, then lack the other characteristics needed to play bottom six. See former Devils prospect Artem Shlaine, for example.
The good news on Moe is that his deficiencies here do not seem dire and he has the hockey sense for a two-way game. So, the tools are there as pundits like to say, but the center will need to polish these tools to make them work for him at the highest levels. Committing to the University of Minnesota will give Moe plenty of time to do just that.
In short, all picks in the later rounds have flaws. I still think Moe would be a solid dart pick after the third round, but there will likely be better options on the board before then. For what it’s worth, which is absolutely nothing, Mason Moe certainly has the sound of the name of a NHL 4th line center. So, there’s that.
Your Opinion
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