Thomas McCollum, G
Shoots: L	Height: 6-2	Weight: 209
Born:  1989-12-07	Hometown: Amherst, New York	Drafted: 2008 by Detroit, 30th overall

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Observations:

August 2015- McCollum is the tale of the never ending prospect. The Red Wings once again have re-signed the former first round pick to a one-year extension. You can never have enough goaltending depth which seems to be the case here as Detroit has two other goalies projected as better NHL prospects in Jared Coreau and Jake Paterson. Having said that McCollum had a second consecutive strong showing in goal posting a 19-11-4 record with a 2.40 GAA and 0.916 SV%. He also helped lead Grand Rapids to the AHL Western Conference Final with a 2.55 GAA and 0.916 SV% in 15 games played, but it wasn't enough as the Griffins were ousted by the sparkling display of Jacob Markstrom and the Utica Comets. 2015-16 looks to be yet another year in Grand Rapids where he will likely begin as the starter, but will he end the year in the same role. Time will tell.  Travis Watson

 

January 2015- Thomas McCollum came in for relief of interim starter Petr Mrazek after the latter gave up 3 goals on 7 shots to the lowly Buffalo Sabres. The end result a 6-4 come from behind win to secure his first in the NHL. McCollum wasn't tested much only having to make 7 saves but he was able to lock it down unlike his counterpart on this evening and came away with his first milestone of what he hopes to be many. Travis Watson

 

January 2015- The former 2008 first round pick of the Wings has really come into his own the past couple seasons after getting off to a rocky start to his pro career. After the 2011-12 season he looked as though he may get lost in the shuffle especially after the Red Wings using a draft pick on another young promising netminder Petr Mrazek. However with the strength of his numbers as the workhorse this year with a 10-8-3 record to go along with a 2.33 GAA and 0.911 save percentage coming on the heels of an impressive 24-12-4 record with 2.30 GAA and 0.922 save percentage it doesn't look like the Red Wings will be letting go of this late bloomer.

McCollum and Mraezk have pretty much shared the crease in a 50/50 timeshare in Grand Rapids the past couple years both deserving of a starting role. Interesting enough now the two of them will share the same crease in Detroit with the recent injury to starter Jimmy Howard and the long-term absence of back-up Jonas Gustavsson. McCollum could potentially see a spot start or two but it appears the reins will be turned over to the young Czech, Mrazek. At this point his path to an NHL role appears clouded stuck in the pecking order behind the aforementioned trio, but he has proven with his success in the AHL that he's deserving of a shot and someone may be willing to give it to him just not in Detroit. The Wings may be reluctant to move their former first round pick especially because of the rash of injuries in the crease the pass two years, but anyone can be had for a price. The next six plus months will be interesting to see if anything transpires as he's on yet another one-year contract. Travis Watson

 

 

December 2013- McCollum looks revitalized this season after inking a one-year AHL contract with Grand Rapids. The Wings didn’t feel that McCollum’s play last season warranted a qualifying offer so they signed him to a minor-league deal instead. This has seemed to light a fire under him has he sports a dazzling 9-3-0 record with a 2.22 GAA and 0.923 SV% with one shutout. If he keeps to this pace all could be personal bests by season end. Despite this recent success he still sits behind both Mrazek and likely Jake Paterson of the Saginaw Spirit in the totem pole for Wings goaltending prospects but hopefully his play can net him another two-way contract or catch the eyes of another franchise. Travis Watson

 

 

June 2013 – After a year of decent growth for McCollum, the Red Wings will need to make a big decision on whether they should cut ties or keep him around as insurance. He is only a RFA while fellow prospect Jordan Pearce is UFA, after finishing the season with 18 wins, a pair shutouts in 31 appearances with his first season of sub three GAA (2.63) and above .900 SV% (.908), he deserves a better fate than Pearce and at least another contract. The outlook overall for McCollum in Detroit is rather bleak as not only has he has been passed by super Czech, Petr Mrazek, but the Wings will have Team Canada reserve goalie (likely next year’s starter), Jake Paterson finishing Junior after following next season. A change of scenery will likely be needed for McCollum to become a notable prospect once again. Jason Banks

 

January 2013 – He is currently riding pine with Jonas Gustavsson nursing another minor injury and Joey MacDonald on reserve with a back injury. McCollum is unlikely to see time in the crease and is now a place holder for the Red Wings while they avoid disrupting Petr Mrazek’s development. Mrazek could have possibly received this recall had he not been selected to the AHL All-star game. McCollum is a goalie you should not be holding at this point. Jason Banks

 

December 2012 – McCollum’s GAA and SV% are showing improvement this season, but he looks rather poor in game play. Bad judgments and decision making forces him into difficult situations. Inconsistency will ruin his once promising career as the team shows little confidence in front of him. He has played six games against teams that are in playoff positions at the moment, unfortunately he only has only won two of them. Going into the season he was expected to lead the team, but Petr Mrazek has surpassed him on the depth chart and has taken the starting gig. McCollum may be in need of an organizational change as this is the last season of his entry level contract and shows little reasons he should be resigned by the Red Wings. Jason Banks

 

August, 2012 – McCollum has a solid track record in the junior ranks with the Guelph Storm and Brampton Battalion leading him to being the top ranked North American goaltender heading into the 2008 draft. In Junior, Thomas compiled an impressive line of 85W-51L-20T with a 2.27 goals against average and 0.922 save percentage. He has yet to figure it out at the pro level and therefore has seen himself bounced around between the Grand Rapid Griffins of the AHL and the Toledo Walleye of the ECHL. McCollum still has the potential to become a difference maker as he limits rebounds with his superb control, focus and stays square to shooter to cut off the angle. Must stay focused and show consistency to prove he is ready and capable when called upon.

 

 

Fantasy Outlook: D

 

McCollum has played better as of late, but still the lower ceiling of all the Wings prospects. The only way he see's major minutes at the NHL level is if the injury bug hits hard. 

 

 

 

Footage:

 

Composure and control hard at work here:

 

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