Prospect Info: Wings Prospect Discussion, Part II

[OldnotDeadWings]

I have a hard time seeing him without a contract. I think his offensive IQ will limit how high he plays up the lineup, but he has good physical tools and skates well. I think he is the polar opposite of Mazur in a lot of ways oddly.

He has a pro future for sure and turns 22 in October, so no reason not to get started. He was a pretty high pick, is physically ready and does a lot things you'd think the Wings should like, so seems likely he'll be signed. You just never know how the prospect feels about things or what else is going on his life. I agree he's quite different than Mazur and about the offensive IQ limits, but I've seen a couple of James' better games where he gives me Blake Coleman vibes. Probably wishful thinking.

 

[HoweFan]

Nice to see positive things being said about him. His stats seem to be getting better. He’s a great PK which we really need help with

 

[newfy]

Always been somewhat optimistic about James despite not putting up a lot of points in first two seasons, mostly because of his skating ability and work rate. Here's a snippet from the Grand Forks Herald game story, quoting coach Brad Berry:

"I want to follow up and answer the question you asked Dylan James on what gave him success or what he did tonight to give him two goals and two assists," Berry said. "Play North Dakota hockey. We need more guys to do that. Dylan James goes out and wins every puck race, wins every puck battle and retrieves a puck. When you have your whole team doing that, you're going to have success."

James' stat line now is 10-8-18 in 26GP, respectable thanks to the big game but nothing special for a third-year player and high second-round pick. UND is having a tough season by its standards, but James has just three fewer points than the leading scorer and is the top goal-scorer at ES and overall despite zero PP goals. I hope he gets signed after the season.

I didnt realise his team was like that offensively. 3 points off the team lead isnt actually horrible, would be nice to see morepoints but I dont think hes a guy who is gonna be held out of the league becausehe doesnt score enough

 

[HoweFan]

We are in last place in the PK killing department. Maybe signing James should be a priority

 

[OldnotDeadWings]

We are in last place in the PK killing department. Maybe signing James should be a priority

James is known to be good on PK and has 2 SHG. As a team though UND is second worst in NCHC. Wings have been only a little better on PK under Todd and now the only team below 70 per cent (69.7). Their PK was decent last season so it's not so much lack of right players IMO as execution and not great PK goaltending.

 

[Michael Brand Eggs]

I'm fully on board with signing James and Savage. The 4th line of the future

 

[heyfolks]

I just wouldn't say getting Raymond or Kasper is the same as getting Lidstrom + Fedorov + Konstantinov + Sillinger + Drake, so I would leave some room above their grades for a more honest discussion

We are having an honest discussion. The 89 draft was legendary, and not to be repeated. A cold war, defections, Barely any scouting in Sweden, a legend not making the national team, etc. IF that is your benchmark for 2019 through current, yeah, give every team a F and move on. Management, technology and geo-global relationships have changed since then. It would be better to show who did better than the Wings in these draft years, especially with lower picks. < giving you a direction, IF your goal is the discussion. Otherwise, sure the 89 draft was better.

https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/latest-news/remembering-the-1989-nhl-draft-how-stealth-and-secrecy-assembled-a-historic-red-wings-draft-class

 

[wingerdinger]

Might be strange but I'd love to see Mazur and Dylan James kill penalties together. The speed and tenacity give me a feeling they can create a lot of turnovers and spring a lot of offense the other way.

Anyways James is Helm with Helm hands.