Prospect Info: James "Jimmy" Clark, W, 213rd Overall, 2023 Draft

[Minnewildsota]

The Minnesota Wild take James "Jimmy" Clark with the #213 pick in the 2023 Draft.

Age: 18
Birth date: September 4th, 2004
Position: W
Shoots: L
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 180kbs

Rankings:

Ranked #110 by ELITEPROSPECTS.COM
Ranked #210 by FCHOCKEY
Ranked #146 by DAILY FACEOFF
Ranked #171 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (NA Skaters)
Ranked #98 by RECRUIT SCOUTING
Ranked #217 by DRAFT PROSPECTS HOCKEY

Clark doesn’t just advance the puck to open teammates; he creates those openings with fake shots and look offs before slipping pucks through traffic. With a quick fake, he pulls defenders towards him and dekes through them. Where many offload the puck, he waits a split-second to find a better option. And he pulls off all these plays at top speed.

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[57special]

He is not a D.

 

[Jbcraig1883]

"He was a standout worker, especially on the defensive end with his supporting reads, anticipation, and knack for out-of-nowhere steals...He adapts his game to the situation, playing a more give-and-go, off-puck style when necessary...He’s mostly an open ice player at this stage. He tries, but usually struggles with back pressure when he can’t deceive it, likely as a consequence of the skating."

 

[Minnewildsota]

He is not a D.

I don't know what you mean...

 

[Puhis]

If he's half as good as the other Jimmy Clark I know, we've got a beast on our hands.

 

[Al Lagoon]

Jimmy - the Wild have needed one.

So much friendlier than James.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Good pick by you guys. I was a big fan of this player, and I think he could be a steal.

I’m sure some of you already know about him, as he’s a local Minnesota kid.

I think he has some sneaky upside. For where he’s picked, you’d think he lacks offense, but he has pretty good puck handling, he can pass, shoot, he has good hockey sense, and I think he’s good at protecting the puck. There’s some grit to his game and it’s possible he could play center, but the real impediment to that and his whole game is his skating. He’s not like some mammoth dude, so despite playing a slightly heavy game, his skating needs to improve. I think it already did this past season and he ended the season very strong, but overall I’d say this is a guy who may have some middle 6 upside to bring a little of everything if he can improve his skating. Another thing that maybe hurt his draft profile is that he was very old for his draft. Nothing he can do about that, but it looks a little better when the players are born late August as opposed to late September.

I was a big fan of the draft you guys had. Bracket really knows what he’s doing. The reputation is no joke. He’s very good at finding these players, and I think Clark may be another one.

 

[MuckOG]

Good pick by you guys. I was a big fan of this player, and I think he could be a steal.

I’m sure some of you already know about him, as he’s a local Minnesota kid.

I think he has some sneaky upside. For where he’s picked, you’d think he lacks offense, but he has pretty good puck handling, he can pass, shoot, he has good hockey sense, and I think he’s good at protecting the puck. There’s some grit to his game and it’s possible he could play center, but the real impediment to that and his whole game is his skating. He’s not like some mammoth dude, so despite playing a slightly heavy game, his skating needs to improve. I think it already did this past season and he ended the season very strong, but overall I’d say this is a guy who may have some middle 6 upside to bring a little of everything if he can improve his skating. Another thing that maybe hurt his draft profile is that he was very old for his draft. Nothing he can do about that, but it looks a little better when the players are born late August as opposed to late September.

I was a big fan of the draft you guys had. Bracket really knows what he’s doing. The reputation is no joke. He’s very good at finding these players, and I think Clark may be another one.

I hope you are right. Everyone talks about how strong the Wild's pool of prospects are, but none of Brackett's picks have seen much NHL action as of yet.

 

[Digitalbooya]

I hope you are right. Everyone talks about how strong the Wild's pool of prospects are, but none of Brackett's picks have seen much NHL action as of yet.

To be fair, he’s only been here for 3 years almost to the day (hired July 9th, 2020). Most kids don’t make the NHL roster in the 18-21 age range.

 

[MuckOG]

To be fair, he’s only been here for 3 years almost to the day (hired July 9th, 2020). Most kids don’t make the NHL roster in the 18-21 age range.

That's true. Although from the 2020 draft, there are a few players selected after Rossi that have already made an impact in the NHL (Lundell, Jarvis, Mercer). I'm not dunking on Brackett, but so far we only have potential to grade him on. Time will tell if these prospects actually turn into something. I think they will, but we will see.

 

[Minnewildsota]

To be fair, he’s only been here for 3 years almost to the day (hired July 9th, 2020). Most kids don’t make the NHL roster in the 18-21 age range.

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

Clock starts on Rossi this year.

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

Pretty good start playing 4th line minutes.

3g + 2a in 9 games.

 

[Digitalbooya]

Scored the OT winner against MSU

 

[Digitalbooya]

 

[AKL]

Nice heads up pass from Rinzel too

 

[Digitalbooya]

Could any poster that watched the gophers pretty regularly give a breakdown on how he looked this season? Pros/cons, areas needing improvement, etc.

 

[StateofCelly]

Could any poster that watched the gophers pretty regularly give a breakdown on how he looked this season? Pros/cons, areas needing improvement, etc.

I watched him a fair amount and as the season grew he was getting better utilization. I’m a big Brody Lamb fan as he’s from our local association here in Southern Minnesota, and they played together quite a bit down the stretch. Jimmy actually has a sneaky good shot and release, comes off the stick quick and heavy. He is a decent skater but definitely some work to be done there, needs to put on some size as he gets pushed off the puck/his spot but watched him yesterday at Dev Camp and seems like he’s starting to fill out. In the 2 on 2 drills he was with Heidt for a few and could really see both of them thinking a few steps ahead of the guys they were going against. Seems like a kid that will have a pro career but not sure it will ever get to an NHL level.. think he’s got better skill than where he was drafted though so can always hope.

 

[Waiver Draft]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1854275063450837041