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Dane Fox | LW/C


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Well, I can't necessarily count him out since Burrows, himself, was less of a producer in juniors and put up a PPG pace slightly less than Fox right now, in his own rookie season in the ECHL.

That being said, those cases are so rare that I would bet that he doesn't become more than a bottom-6 forward at the NHL level, if he were to ever get there at all. For me, his ceiling is, with improved skating, an agitator-type serviceable 3rd liner who can chip in with goals every now and then. Let's not forget that the Sedins played a large role in turning Burrows into a serviceable top-6 forward too. Something Fox does have that is quite exceptional, according to people who have seen him in person, is a very good wrist shot. I think ultimately he is either a good AHLer or depth NHL forward.

I haven't based my expectations/predictions on any specific statistics but, given what we have seen so far, I am certainly not expecting a top-6 forward out of him.

I wouldn't mind being wrong, obviously.

Burrows has always been a much better skater which has helped him develop. Would love to see Fox develop into a good 3rd liner with some offensive upside, but not going to hold my breath for it.

Hope I'm wrong, but I don't see him as anything more than a career minor league player

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Burrows has always been a much better skater which has helped him develop. Would love to see Fox develop into a good 3rd liner with some offensive upside, but not going to hold my breath for it.

Hope I'm wrong, but I don't see him as anything more than a career minor league player

Try squinting and sort of look sideways a bit... maybe try the old palm upsideofthehead...

...never limit a 21 year old...late bloomer at that, you just never know (see Pearson LA)

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I honestly believe that Fox's limitation is mental. I think he plays a very instinctive offensive game but struggled with systems. Doesn't think the defensive side all that well though. Not that he can't make it, I just believe it took him longer to get his coach's systems down.

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I honestly believe that Fox's limitation is mental. I think he plays a very instinctive offensive game but struggled with systems. Doesn't think the defensive side all that well though. Not that he can't make it, I just believe it took him longer to get his coach's systems down.

His skating is awful. Until he improves that in a big big way, he won't make it in the AHL even. I always read that he was a pretty good player in his own end.

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I don't believe you have ever seen him skate.

He can't be that horrible if he kept up with mcdavid.

His skating is remarked as his biggest weakness by many real experts on the subject. CDCers say that because it's been widely reported that way.
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Yeah I read that too. I believe his lack of skating is blown up way to much on here though.

You obviously haven't seen it then. It was terrible during the youngstars tournament Really ugly, awkward choppy stride that doesn't generate very much acceleration

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Gaunce and Horvat also cant skate dont forget.

I assume this is a joke. I have not seen Gaunce and Fox much, but I have seen some video. Horvat is a good skater, not as good as Virtanen, who is an excellent skater, even by NHL standards, but good. And various scouting reports list him as a good skater. And he looks like at least an average skater by NHL standards, and that is good for a 19-year-old.

Gaunce is not as good a skater as Horvat. The scouting reports indicate that he does not have quick acceleration and does not have great agility. But his top speed is good. Overall, he would be a below average skater in the NHL, but he would not be out of place. With his size, strength, good defensive play, and playmaking abilities he should be able to play in the bottom six as he approaches his full potential. WIth improvement over this season and next he could make the NHL the year after.

Fox is not nearly as good. The skating consensus is that his skating is simply not at an NHL level. Period. And at his age he does not project well. If he works hard on his skating this year and in the summer he might be able to play in Utica next year. I think he is a long shot to ever play in the NHL, as is true of pretty much everyone who plays Junior as an overager, even guys who score a lot in their overage year.

Giving letter grades on skating, here is what I have (based on scouting reports):

Virtanen: A+

McCann: A-

Shinkaruk: B+

Horvat: B

Cassels: B

Gaunce: C+

Fox: D

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I assume this is a joke. I have not seen Gaunce and Fox much, but I have seen some video. Horvat is a good skater, not as good as Virtanen, who is an excellent skater, even by NHL standards, but good. And various scouting reports list him as a good skater. And he looks like at least an average skater by NHL standards, and that is good for a 19-year-old.

Gaunce is not as good a skater as Horvat. The scouting reports indicate that he does not have quick acceleration and does not have great agility. But his top speed is good. Overall, he would be a below average skater in the NHL, but he would not be out of place. With his size, strength, good defensive play, and playmaking abilities he should be able to play in the bottom six as he approaches his full potential. WIth improvement over this season and next he could make the NHL the year after.

Fox is not nearly as good. The skating consensus is that his skating is simply not at an NHL level. Period. And at his age he does not project well. If he works hard on his skating this year and in the summer he might be able to play in Utica next year. I think he is a long shot to ever play in the NHL, as is true of pretty much everyone who plays Junior as an overager, even guys who score a lot in their overage year.

Giving letter grades on skating, here is what I have (based on scouting reports):

Virtanen: A+

McCann: A-

Shinkaruk: B+

Horvat: B

Cassels: B

Gaunce: C+

Fox: D

I think Shinkkaruk would rate higher then a B plus

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Fox is a prospect that we really need to pull for. His possible journey to the big show is why we admire Burrows so much. It's what makes movies like "Rocky" and "Rudy" so inspirational.

The question is how badly does Fox want to prove his naysayers wrong. I'm curious to know how much his skating has improved this season. I hope that his main focus this off-season is to work with a power skating coach on a daily basis.

When Stan Smyl began his NHL career, he was known as a choppy skater, just like Fox. Over time, Steamer's skating improved drastically. Why? Became of his heart and determination. And I believe it was Smyl who advised Gillis and Gilman to sign Fox.

Fox does have strong elements to his game, ie. size, scoring, playmaking, positioning and grit. He doesn't have to be an A-skater like Virtanen or even a B-skater like Horvat, who by the way, is good friends with Fox.

If he can improve to, at the very least, a C-level skater, along with the right attitude and approach, we will be a very lucky fanbase.

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