D Rodwin Dionicio - Niagara IceDogs, OHL (2023, 129th, ANA)

[GermanSpitfire]

He will be a forward tonight for Windsor.

A lot of injury’s for Windsor and inconsistent defensive play out of Rodwin are the reasons.

 

[GermanSpitfire]

Anyone else get Brent Burns vibes from him?

 

[Hinterland]

Anyone else get Brent Burns vibes from him?

Brent Burns isn't far off but I see more of PK Subban in Dionicio. Not sure Dionicio's shot will ever be as hard as Subban's but he's just as electric with the puck on his stick and just as inconsistent against the puck. Both of them can hit like trucks but aren't known as volume hitters. Both of them also tend to do dangerous stupid/dirty stuff at times.

Burns is a good comparison as well but he's both much bigger and softer than Dionicio.

 

[GermanSpitfire]

Brent Burns isn't far off but I see more of PK Subban in Dionicio. Not sure Dionicio's shot will ever be as hard as Subban's but he's just as electric with the puck on his stick and just as inconsistent against the puck. Both of them can hit like trucks but aren't known as volume hitters. Both of them also tend to do dangerous stupid/dirty stuff at times.

Burns is a good comparison as well but he's both much bigger and softer than Dionicio.

The more I re-watch the highs of Dionicio, the more I am appreciating his game, the lows are low, sure but man if Dionicio hits, he could be a star in the NHL.

 

[Dirtyf1ghter]

This site... Always a guy to predict things no NHL scout sees.

I read a whole bunch of improbable names but there Rodwin Dionico like the Swiss Brent Burns, the bar is very high.

 

[Hinterland]

The more I re-watch the highs of Dionicio, the more I am appreciating his game, the lows are low, sure but man if Dionicio hits, he could be a star in the NHL.

Yeah. You won't find too many high scoring CHL defenders who can really hurt their opponents physically. Dionicio was PPG in the OHL this season and scored over 80 points in two OHL seasons.

 

[Hinterland]

This site... Always a guy to predict things no NHL scout sees.

I read a whole bunch of improbable names but there Rodwin Dionico like the Swiss Brent Burns, the bar is very high.

Not a predicition, he was talking about Dionicio's upside. Also, he probably watched more of Dionicio this season than almost all hfboards users.
Dionicio has many flaws and we discussed them at length in this thread so he's a gamble...but I expect him to go early in this draft. His scoring is just too high for him to be overlooked for too much longer. The fact that he hits to hurt is another intriguing aspect of his game.

 

[Dirtyf1ghter]

I know how this site works. Essentially with point analyzes on EP.

I do this to discover new profiles.

But scouts are present to assess and analyze the situations.

Yes he has the points with Windsor but it is insufficient to evaluate.

I can see him being selected in the 4th round this year but to compare him with a super star who played in the NHL at 18... stay serious.

 

[GermanSpitfire]

I know how this site works. Essentially with point analyzes on EP.

I do this to discover new profiles.

But scouts are present to assess and analyze the situations.

Yes he has the points with Windsor but it is insufficient to evaluate.

I can see him being selected in the 4th round this year but to compare him with a super star who played in the NHL at 18... stay serious.

he has his flaws, undoubtedly.

But I think there’s a world in which he reaches a potential similar to the players we mentioned, yes, it is extremely unlikely but that doesn‘t mean the potential is non-existent.

I have seen you go on tangents about how you should always go for upside, well - this player has upside… if he figures out how to defend at a competent level, works on his decision making and pick his spots physically better he could be a very good NHLer. There is legitimate upside here, if you can’t see it because you’re focused on what EP says that’s on you.

 

[Dirtyf1ghter]

I have you more particularly in the viewfinder. For me you're just a guy who searches on EP and who sends profiles without having seen the players play, telling him he will be like that. Most noticeable when you create threads about unknown players playing at levels you misjudge because they have good stats.

Analysis comments are fake to pretend that you have seen the player play.

 

[Hinterland]

I have you more particularly in the viewfinder. For me you're just a guy who searches on EP and who sends profiles without having seen the players play, telling him he will be like that. Most noticeable when you create threads about unknown players playing at levels you misjudge because they have good stats.

Analysis comments are fake to pretend that you have seen the player play.

If that were the case he's pretty good at this because he's been the first to pump future star's tires on many occasions. Also, he's got Dionicio's team in his username...and still you think he never actually watches that team?

 

[GermanSpitfire]

I have you more particularly in the viewfinder. For me you're just a guy who searches on EP and who sends profiles without having seen the players play, telling him he will be like that. Most noticeable when you create threads about unknown players playing at levels you misjudge because they have good stats.

Analysis comments are fake to pretend that you have seen the player play.

You can believe what you want to.

You obviously don’t like me for whatever reason, that’s great, I can’t change that. But in regards to Dionicio, it seems to me that you are contracting my observation just to be a contrarian to my view.

 

[wetcoast]

IQ is why he wasn’t selected last year. Can’t count how many times I’ve seen him rush a breakout and make a terrible pas - very suspect but he is a fun player to watch, has the upmost confidence, always wants the puck on his stick and in Windsor and has been their #1 defender since the trade. Can be a frustrating player at times though

Sounds like the type of guys stat watchers will like more than actual NHL teams.

 

[Hinterland]

Sounds like the type of guys stat watchers will like more than actual NHL teams.

The exact opposite is the case since stat watchers wouldn't know about his physical side. Normally, skilled guys don't hit like trucks and they're also not into fighting...certainly not as kids while playing OHL. The OHL isn't exactly known for the rough stuff and even just questionable hits are gonna earn you lenghty suspensions and fighting is capped.

 

[TopC0rner]

Sounds like the type of guys stat watchers will like more than actual NHL teams.

Maybe stat watchers did catch on this year due to his scoring progression, but I don't think it's the reason he should be drafted.

He played center until he was 14 and he was playing in minor Swiss leagues (lower quality of competition compared to NA) prior to coming to the OHL. I think this showed, but his game really improved through the year in 2022 and now 2023.

Imo, Dionicio has skills that few junior players have and I think NHL teams should take a chance on those players even if they have warts.

 

[FLYguy3911]

Haven't done a ton of work on re-entries and the public rankings don't seem too fond of him, but he has to be the best re-entry this year, no? I'd probably feel comfortable taking him in the 3rd round.

The micros are beautiful btw.

 

[Hinterland]

Haven't done a ton of work on re-entries and the public rankings don't seem too fond of him, but he has to be the best re-entry this year, no? I'd probably feel comfortable taking him in the 3rd round.

The micros are beautiful btw.

Guessing NJ takes him with their 4th rounder since they don't have a 3rd. Not sure if they'd trade up to get him or if some team would take him earlier. NJ should be interested though. I'm not sure there's too many legit prospects with ties to their area.

Regarding the player, he's very much boom or bust. Has the talent to be a top pairing high scoring defender in the NHL but he's unlikely to ever get there because he does too much stupid stuff still. Having said that, he was more disciplined and consistent in recent months so there's hope and in an NHL draft, at some point you draft for upside no matter the risk. That's when Dionicio is a very good option to bet on.

 

[MMC]

Welcome to Anaheim

 

[Kcoyote3]

Love that he finally got noticed. Excellent player.

 

[PizzaAndPucks]

Wrong thread. Delete please.

 

[Gliff]

The Ducks next defensive steal.

 

[LeProspector]

I hate those charts so much, and I like the player

 

[Hinterland]

The Ducks next defensive steal.

He's not the 2nd best player of the tournament. I don't even think he's the best player of team Switzerland. Had a few too many giveaways for my liking and took a dumb penalty as well. Other than that he's been very good both with and without the puck. Definitely a steal for Anaheim based on his sky high upside. It's by no means guaranteed that he's gonna work out but so far so good. You won't find many defense prospects with so much offensive upside who can still hit like a truck and dominate physically as well.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

The next defensive steal... What are the precedents ?

Thrun is gone, Lacombe is a flop, Drysdale still hasn't established himself as a solid and reliable defender, Zellweger will have to prove himself next year and he could hit a wall, Luneau seems to be good but his situation isn't is not yet established, Warren is down offensively, Hinds is still very far from the mark, Moore is messed up, the others are not surprising.

For a steal to be confirmed, the player must be confirmed in NHL. I've seen a lot of offensive defenders not succeed (Ty Smith, Bode Wilde).

The only young assertive defender is Mintyukov and he is a 10th choice born in 2003.

Vatanen, Manson, Theodore, Montour, and Pettersson are all considered steals drafted under head scout and current asst GM Madden.

Drysdale in confirmed in the NHL as he'll never see the AHL ever again. By your own succinct defensive of a steal, Drysdale is a steal. Although, I wouldn't consider a Drysdale, who was considered a top-5/6 pick in the draft a steal. Top-15 steals would be Lindholm (projected to be in the mid-teens) and Fowler (dropped to 12th) would fit your "confirmed in NHL" definition.

Thrun was drafted by the Ducks in the 4th round, but wanted to become a FA. Ducks traded him to SJ for a 3rd round pick. Sucks that Ducks weren't able to keep Thrun, but they improve their asset value to a 3rd round pick.

Can't truly evaluate rookie LaCombe, who was forced into top-pairing duties due to injuries and other players in front of him not being better to help the team win games. Also, he's been a staple on the PK unit. Last year the Ducks ranked 31st in the league and this year they're 15th overall. Maybe stat watching isn't qualitative analysis.

Ducks 2023-24	36 Games
Top pair w/ Fowler	Games	Wins	Losses	OTL	Pts
Drysdale	4​	1​	3​	0​	2​
Luneau	6​	0​	6​	0​	0​
Vaaks	4​	1​	3​	0​	2​
LaCombe	22​	11​	11​	0​	22​
Total	36​	13​	23​	0​	26​

Oddest thing is that LaCombe, playing mostly on his off-side as a top pairing D, actually helps the Ducks win games. Of course, depending on a rookie as a top pairing D is a tall task. Is LaCombe a flop? Only if you're a stat watcher.

Zellweger is 2nd in scoring for the Gulls (Ducks' AHL affiliate), one point behind the leader. Although he's a scoring machine, he needs to work on his offensive decision making (being risk averse) and work on his defense. He may need another year in San Diego to work on that defense.

Hinds has been solid defensively while recently playing on his off-side. Hinds adding offense is just a bonus to his defensive game and ability to send the puck out of the dzone. There's always a niche in the NHL for shutdown d-men.

It's odd to make a stink about prospects who were recently drafted, including those not drafted in the top-10 b/c the future away you are from the top-10, the less chances a player will make the NHL. 2nd rounders Zellweger and Luneau came away with hardward to point to their high potentials: Luneau won QMJHL defenseman of the year (DotY); Zellweger won WHL DotY twice as well as the CHL DotY. Hinds is a mid-third round pick and not that it means a whole lot, but he did win the QMJHL's best defensive d-man player of the year award. It shitty to shit on a 3rd round pick in his first year in the pros.

Anaheim's farm team is often ranked in the top-5 farm. Anaheim needs talent depth to be ranked that high, which includes their defensemen.

• Duck Farm Team Ranking
  • The Hockey Writers, Sept 2023: 3rd
  • The Athletic, U-23 Aug 2023: 1st
  • Daily Faceoff, Sept 2023: 3rd
  • Elite Prospects: 2nd
  • Clutch Points, Aug 2023: 4th

It isn't as if the Ducks are being ranked high out of charity here, and that's excluding Thrun. They're ranked that high b/c they have prospects who have a track record that gives them higher potential. Outside of Drysdale and Helleson, a huge influx of defensemen are debuting their first full season in the pros (NHL or AHL): Mintyukov, LaCombe, Luneau, Zellweger, and Hinds.

 

[Speyer]

He has always been sort of a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde type player. A guy with tremendous offensive skill that can look like a genius when his dangles lead to a highlight reel goal but can also look like a fool when a toe drag attempt as last man at the blueline results in a breakaway against. That being said i feel like his decision making probably has been the best it has ever been this tournament. He hasn't been completely mistake free as pointed out above but he has been far more consistent than in the past. And his defensive game seems to have improved in general as well.

I still think its a big question mark if he will ever reach the NHL or not. I think its either top 4 or bust for him at that level based on his skill set. Skating is still the biggest issue right now but if he can continue to improve his decision making it would be a big step on the path to the NHL.