Prospect Info: Coyotes Top Prospects - #9

[Matias Maccete]

Your impression isn't complete. He plays in every role for North Bay, including on the PK.



http://ohlprospects.blogspot.ca/2016/03/north-bays-cam-dineen-excels-in-his.html

He scored more than Chychrun and Sergachev on a much weaker team (granted, adjust for GP). He should probably be compared most to Gostisbehere, not Keith.

I vote on pure upside and likelihood to get there. Dineen has the most important bit - a mind for the game. He's pretty damn advanced in that regard. The single biggest marker for success is the ability to think the game, especially in terms of upside. There are a lot of plugs out there (even large ones) that are dumbasses, so they never become that top pairing guy or even a top 4 regular. I think Dineen is a good bet to have an Ellis style impact. If he takes it to the next level where Gostisbehere is, I'd be ecstatic.

Wood has the physical tools but I'm not as confident about him ever putting it together. Merkley basically lost a year yet he's still going to be top 10, thanks in large part to his upside. I don't see how you put Wood over Dineen, all things considered. First to have an impact? Sure. Better prospect? .... nah.

Dineen seems to lack physical tools completely though. From all accounts his hockey iq is great, but he's small, and not a very explosive skater. That's a scary combination imo.

 

[WrinkledPossum]

Dineen seems to lack physical tools completely though. From all accounts his hockey iq is great, but he's small, and not a very explosive skater. That's a scary combination imo.

It is a weird combo. At least skating is something that can be fixed. If he can he's gonna be steal. If he doesn't though I think his peak would be as bottom pairing or 7th guy.

 

[XX]

Dineen seems to lack physical tools completely though. From all accounts his hockey iq is great, but he's small, and not a very explosive skater. That's a scary combination imo.

He's not "small", he's roughly the same size as some very successful NHL D. Connor Garland is small. Actually, Dineen weighs more than Juolevi if you can believe that. Not every D needs to be an 'explosive' skater that can blow by forwards on the rush. So long as you have average or above footspeed, you're fine. Doubly true if you are smart about positioning and know where to be.

DeAngelo is basically the same size and is IMO a lot more of a specialist, yet no one had a problem voting a boom/bust D the fifth best.

 

[WrinkledPossum]

He's not "small", he's roughly the same size as some very successful NHL D. Connor Garland is small. Actually, Dineen weighs more than Juolevi if you can believe that. Not every D needs to be an 'explosive' skater that can blow by forwards on the rush. So long as you have average or above footspeed, you're fine. Doubly true if you are smart about positioning and know where to be.

DeAngelo is basically the same size and is IMO a lot more of a specialist, yet no one had a problem voting a boom/bust D the fifth best.

From what I've seen Dineen's skating is below average. And at 5'11 he is below average. He's not gonna be throwing his body around like Schenn.

Typically guys who are his size are good skaters, which helps them be involved in the offensive zone and get back. His style is offensive, so he's gonna have to improve his skating if wants to continue playing like that.

Deangelo is a better skater and closer to the NHL, now if Dineen comes to camp next year and has improved his skating he'll get voted a lot higher.

 

[Matias Maccete]

He's not "small", he's roughly the same size as some very successful NHL D. Connor Garland is small. Actually, Dineen weighs more than Juolevi if you can believe that. Not every D needs to be an 'explosive' skater that can blow by forwards on the rush. So long as you have average or above footspeed, you're fine. Doubly true if you are smart about positioning and know where to be.

DeAngelo is basically the same size and is IMO a lot more of a specialist, yet no one had a problem voting a boom/bust D the fifth best.

For a dman he is on the small end, and if you're not big being a very good skater helps. Some guys can make it on adequate skating, not much size, but a lot of smarts, but not many. I'm not saying dineen has no chance, but even acknowledging that wood is further along in his development, I've liked what I've seen of wood better. Am I certain wood will be better, heck no, but an argument can be made for either.

 

[PhoPhan]

Dineen has exquisite hockey sense and a projectable offensive game, but little guys like him typically need to be excellent skaters to crack the top six. He's a smart enough player that, if he can improve his skating, he can be a Rafalski type (or even a Goligoski), but he's by no means a lock. Undersized defensemen who can score in bunches at the junior level are drafted every year, but typically only a couple of them pan out. Will Dineen be one of them? Or will it be Mete or Fox or Girard or someone else entirely?

 

[_Del_]

That's basically my take. Undersized, not a great skater. Not my preference for D. Could he end up better than Wood? Of course. But don't ignore the floor while looking at the ceiling. I had DeAngelo lower than most for the same reason.
I just think the odds are better that Wood becomes an NHL defenseman. A much better chance that Wood turns into Stone than that Dineen ends up Duncan Keith. I hope you're right though!