Minnesota Wild: Mason Shaw on a tear with the Iowa Wild

Minnesota Wild prospect Mason Shaw looks to be fighting fit despite missing the whole of last season with an ACL tear. He has been on a far more positive type of tear for the Iowa Wild of late.

The Minnesota Wild will be glad for no further injury, in fact, no signs of there being an injury for the young winger. Mason Shaw has been lighting it up with the Iowa Wild; not necessarily on a goal-scoring front but in terms of going out every night and seemingly managing to get on the score-sheet.

With a two-point (both assists) night most recently against the Milwaukee Admirals, as the Iowa Wild ran over them 3-0, it’s clear that Mason Shaw, despite missing a full season to rehabilitation, is exactly as advertised when the Minnesota Wild drafted him in the fourth round (97th overall) in 2017.

He may not have put a shot on net all night, but he was on the ice for all three Iowa Wild goals on the game and played a role in two. The statistics speak for themselves.

So far in his first full year in the AHL, he has 12 points in 14 games (3 goals and 9 assists); very solid numbers given he is still just twenty and playing his first professional year.

This season, he is only ever held of the score-sheet for two consecutive games; by the third, he’s back to form providing a helper or on those three occasions, a goal.

If you could say anything needs improving, it’s probably his shooting; either he doesn’t generate the shot volumes to score the odd lucky bounce or when he does shoot, he’s rushing. Obviously, as a young player in the league, there’s still plenty of time to sort that out.

The Minnesota Wild isn’t likely to make the call down to the Iowa Wild this season, not for Mason Shaw anyway; there’s a few more experienced guys ahead of him. However, I wouldn’t expect it to be too far-fetched to see him at least get a chance next season.

As long as he can maintain this current form and continue the hard work he obviously put into rehabbing his injury, Mason Shaw is a player that I expect to one day see in Minnesota Wild colours.

For now, he’s the Iowa Wild’s second top point scorer, behind Cal O’Rielly (who is one of those older guys deserving a call) and is looking very much the part in the AHL.