Skinnyjimmy08
WorldTraveler
- Mar 30, 2012
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I hope he signs after this season and doesnt go back to Harvard for his final season... I dont wanna wait any longer to see how he does in the NHL
RD Adam Fox (2016, 66th, CGY; traded to CAR; traded to NYR)
- Thread starter Constable
- Start date
Johnny Hoxville
The Return of a Legend
The best comparable for Fox IMO is Brian Leetch.
Tkachuk Norris
Registered User
- Jun 22, 2012
- 15,673
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Funny that people laughed at me for saying he was a top 50 prospect the last few years.
DaveG
Noted Jerk
Different sides, and the Canes love going with a 3rhd 3lhd mix. Bean's probably the #4 LHD right now, which is about where Fox would be for RHD but we need to move someone out before we can get him in.
Johnny Hoxville
The Return of a Legend
It is. I have no idea if he will ever reach that, but he has the ceiling for it. But his playing ability and IQ are at that level, his coaches comments in the past back that up as well.
Bounces R Way
Registered User
Averaging over half an assist more per game than anyone else in the NCAA. Almost twice that of recent top 10 picks Quinn Hughes and Cale Makar. Still early obviously but he was my favourite(not necessarily my highest ranked) Flame prospect when the Flames traded him. Very cerebral player, which when you look down the lists of great dmen over the years in this league, is a trait almost all of them share. The Brian Leetch comparison works for me even if it's premature, Fox really controls the pace of the game so well with the puck on his stick.
Definitely far from a throw in, Waddell did his research.
Definitely far from a throw in, Waddell did his research.
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The Colonel
Registered User
- Jul 7, 2008
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Definitely seeing the Brian Leetch similarity.
Would be quite the thing if he went to the Rangers.
Would be quite the thing if he went to the Rangers.
Skinnyjimmy08
WorldTraveler
- Mar 30, 2012
- 22,513
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No.. He still has another season after this year at Harvard.. Just started his 3rd NCAA season
Very limited views of Fox. Just don't see the skating ability in Fox to be compared to Leetch.
Other parts, yes but skating, no.
IIRC most Flames fans were decently high on him, they just didn't think he would sign in Calgary. It does make sense, since the Flames are stacked on defense, so he might as well wait and become a UFA while getting his Harvard degree. I think Carolina is similar where it will be a hard roster to crack, so I wouldn't be surprised if he opts to become an UFA.
The Colonel
Registered User
- Jul 7, 2008
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Leetch came in as a skilled young American defenseman whose main standout traits were his exceptional hockey sense and passing ability and his preternatural ability to put up points.
Adam Fox is very similar in these regards. Even their play style is similar.
Fox however is a bit smaller and a bit slower.
But much like Brian Leetch, Adam Fox is a hard worker and already looks a little stronger and faster from last season.
And yeah- Canes are going to need to get creative to woo him over.
AmericanDream
Thank you Elon!
Fox is not a Leetch clone, not sure where that is coming from.
Fox is not nearly as good a skater Leetch was at the same age..Fox definitely doesn't have the physicality that Leetch had as well..
I understand why we use comps and not every trait fits, but I really wouldn't use the two together to be honest.
I have used it before, but I see a lot of Nate Schmidt in Fox...Schmidt is ridiculously underappreciated out there, these two guys are much closer in comps than Fox/Leetch IMO.. Schmidt being a lefty of course (few inches taller as well), but the vision, hands, skating, etc are all on par with each other. Schmidt is a legit top pairing dman with the potential to be a true #1 the next few years, if I was Carolina I would take that and run at this point..
Carolina can make space for him in a hurry. Trade Pesce or Hamilton for offense for now and deal van Riemsdyk at the deadline. Offer Fox the opportunity to play in the NHL this year and burn a year off of his ELC in the process. Faulk is a 2020 UFA. Fox could have a Top 4 role 14-15 months from now.
Fig
Absolute Horse Shirt
- Dec 15, 2014
- 12,975
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Leetch's name does come up on a regular basis as mentioned by others. Some of it is possibly a lazy achievement comparison, others... a hint of a direct comparison?
FANTASTIC MR. FOX
For instance in this article, Leetch's name is dropped, but in a lazy manner due to a loose connection via Ted Donato.
However, it doesn't help that this line is tossed in there:
In a different source, we see this:
https://dobberhockey.com/hockey-home/the-journey/the-journey-fastest-rising-prospect-defencemen-4/
I think it's fair if you think the comparison isn't very good. Now you know where some posters are pulling the comparison from. I would agree with you that it's perhaps very likely many are lazily and erroneously using Leetch as a full comparison after hearing his name mentioned with Fox's name though.
AmericanDream
Thank you Elon!
I mean those are pretty weak comparisons to Leetch. Donato grew up and played with Leetch so I have no problem with him thinking that Leetch is the player to compare to with being elite..there is no comparisons there to skating, hands, vision, etc... if Donato believes Fox thinks the game as well as Leetch does, that is perfectly fine and something to be absolutely excited about.
I would just tone down the Leetch comparisons overall here as that is basically unfair to live up to. I mean, for God's sake, Leetch is the most talented overall dman this country ever produced (Chelios and Housley right there as well) and a HHOFer...We don't need to add additional pressure on this kid than already is.
Fox has some things to work on before he becomes a top pairing defender. But I think realistic comps are your Nate Schmidt, Brian Rafalski types that are guys that think the game quickly, are well above average in vision, hands, passing etc...that is where I would stay with him for now as both of those names are tremendous players to be compared to as is.
The Colonel
Registered User
- Jul 7, 2008
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Alright. I appreciate what you are saying.
Brian Leetch is the best American defenseman of all time.
Fox won't best that. Fox doesn't have Leetch's skating ability, or his abrasive edge he could bring to the rink. Plus Leetch was stronger and better defensively.
And I certainly see the Rafalski/Schmidt comparisons.
But I think you are missing something here.
Adam Fox is showing something special right now. Something that doesn't come along too often. His numbers are hitting the record books next to Brian Leetch, and by all means the similarities don't end there.
Fox is taking command of the ice in his games. He is showing an uncanny offensive hockey sense and puck control and play making well above and beyond his peers. Being smarter than everyone on the ice was a hallmark of Brian Leetch's game (along with ice cold composure), and Fox has that in spades.
Nobody is saying he is a Brian Leetch clone. Nobody is even saying his talent will match the Rangers legend, but there aren't many players who can boast these smarts and these numbers, let alone American defensemen.
AmericanDream
Thank you Elon!
with all due respect, and not trying to come off as a dick here, but I am one of the first people in this thread that posted. I have been following this kid for years, well aware of everything he is and could be.
I am very optimistic for him and his future, but there actually are people saying he is the next Leetch in this thread, just scroll back 5-6 pages, the comps are outrageous right now...some calling him as potential to be one of the best of this era lol...
I have no clue how his future goes, that is totally in his hands, but I will say this. his skating is not elite, it is nowhere near Leetch's skating, and at this level and in today's game if your skating isn't elite I do not care how good you are in the other areas, the chances of you being elite are harder and harder especially as a skilled offensive minded dman.
he can and will continue to work on his skating as his other attributes are excellent, but the reason Rafalski never reached Leetch's level is because of his skating...(obviously a size bias at the time took some years away as well sadly) which wasn't bad mind you, just not elite. the same thing is here and people are only stat watching when making these crazy comps to Fox.
Fox is having an amazing season, he is on a great team with talent, perfect storm here. I have watched a number of his games this year, he looks just as good as he did last year and I thought he was a lock for a top 4 last year at the NHL level.. everyone should be excited for his future but the Leetch stuff is just not reality right now no matter what the stats say....
What is this NHL 19? Trade two of your top 6 because a junior college player is doing well?
I'm as big a Fox fan as anyone but trading Pesce- for the specific purpose of making room for Fox- before he has even played an AHL game, is nuts.
This fear of college players going to FA because they play more than 3 college games is wild.
I'm as big a Fox fan as anyone but trading Pesce- for the specific purpose of making room for Fox- before he has even played an AHL game, is nuts.
This fear of college players going to FA because they play more than 3 college games is wild.
Steve Kournianos
@thedraftanalyst
Aside from being American and offensive defensemen, Fox is nothing like Leetch stylistically. Leetch was a far better skater, quicker first step, better balance, was a lefty, far more accurate shooter, better finish around the net, better instincts to join the rush. He was also sturdier, tougher and way way waaaaaay more physical, capable of delivering big hits in the neutral zone if it was necessary. All that plus a far more dangerous option at even strength.
Fox is a PP specialist who is light on his skates and isn't physical. Exceptional vision and passing, but that's where I end the comparisons from a skill standpoint.
Dahlin is the only player I've seen in the last 25 years that deserved even the slightest comparison to Leetch. Don't get me wrong....I love Fox and ranked him in the 20s in my final 2016 ranking. I just don't think it's fair to compare him to a guy who was one of the league's greatest offensive defensemen and had a historic career.
Fox is a PP specialist who is light on his skates and isn't physical. Exceptional vision and passing, but that's where I end the comparisons from a skill standpoint.
Dahlin is the only player I've seen in the last 25 years that deserved even the slightest comparison to Leetch. Don't get me wrong....I love Fox and ranked him in the 20s in my final 2016 ranking. I just don't think it's fair to compare him to a guy who was one of the league's greatest offensive defensemen and had a historic career.
Donato? He signed with the team that drafted him despite having the FA opportunity.
ended up ...but if you look prior to signing allot of “ talk “ about him becoming a free agent
so far more hype for these players...
i know its early...
