With rookie camp and the Penticton Young Stars tourney a month away, it's time to unveil my latest ranking of the Flames top 20 prospects.

While 20 may seem like a lot, it's actually not if you consider there are 35 players in the organization that qualify as prospects by my criteria.

This is one of my favourite things to write because of how difficult it is and knowing that no matter what, there is going to be debate. But that's what makes it a fun exercise and wonderful excuse to talk hockey in August.

The biggest thing I've learned over the last two years is to do the brainstorming on paper and stick to pencil as there is always a lot of shuffling. During the week of preparation, almost every morning, I re-think something and flip-flop names.

In the end, I'm happy with the list that for your information, was finalized prior to the start of the World Junior Summer Showcase in Plymouth, Michigan. For those of you just getting back from vacation, that was the tournament last week in which Adam Fox went out and played like Bobby Orr.


History

This the fifth edition of the rankings, which come out in the summer -- after the draft and development camp has taken place -- and then again around the NHL all-star break in late January or early February.

Here's a look back at past rankings, which has included guys like Sam Bennett, Micheal Ferland and Matthew Tkachuk, who have gone on to graduate.

• February 2017
• July 2016
• January 2016
• August 2015 

As the years pass, these snapshots in time of the organization's prospect cupboard provide a nice way of tracking players as they rise and fall on the depth chart. By rise and fall, I mean it. I like there to be movement each time as that makes it more interesting and gives the list a power rankings-type of feel. Who's hot? Who's not? Let the rankings reflect that.


Definition of "Prospect"

If you look at other hockey publications and websites, there are different definitions for "prospect". Some have age maximums, some exclude players once they're no longer considered an NHL rookie. My criteria is simple and comes down to two things:

• Age 25 or under for skaters (age 26 or under for goalies)
• Has not established himself as an NHL regular

For my rankings, it's also important to point out that this is not the order I expect players to ascend to the NHL. The estimated time of arrival (ETA) is a minimal factor only. A bigger consideration are two things: 1. Likeliness to make the NHL, 2. Projected impact if they do make it.


Grads and Departures

Interestingly in a summer that has seen Flames GM Brad Treliving bring in several new players to the organization, the new look has come at the expense of just one prospect that was in the top 20 last February.

That player was Brandon Hickey, who first declared he was returning to Boston University for a fourth season, then his rights were traded to the Arizona Coyotes. We may never know if he had intentions of signing with Calgary but when a college player returns to school for his fourth season, it's fair to be skeptical. If not signed when he graduates next spring, Hickey can become an unrestricted free agent on August 15.

Two others -- both defencemen -- who were honourable mentions last time around are also no longer with the organization. Stepan Falkovsky was signed as a free agent by the Los Angeles Kings. Kenney Morrison was not qualified and became a free agent.


Listen to the New Top 20 Podcast

For additional insight into the list including other names that didn't make the honourable mentions but nearly did, a 90-minute podcast dedicated entirely to the Top 20 was recorded this week. I think you'll enjoy the listen. Many thanks to Flames' NHL.com correspondent Aaron Vickers for joining me.

We count down the list and share some thoughts on each player. It will give you some further context into why they are ranked where they are.

You can listen to the podcast now (or download for later) via all your usual podcasting platforms:

• SoundCloud (instant play)
• iTunes
• Stitcher
• Tune-In
• Overcast

Hope you enjoy it and do you agree, disagree? I look forward to your feedback.


Flames Top 20 Prospects - August 2017

Included for reference is each player's previous rankings starting from the most recent (e.g. February 2017) and working backwards.

1. G Tyler Parsons (previously 3rd, 9th)

• Age | 20 in September
• Size | 6-foot-1, 185 lbs
• Catches | Left
• Acquired | Drafted in 2nd round (54th overall) in 2016
• Last Season | London OHL (34 gm, 23-6-3, 2.37 GAA, .926 SV%)
• ETA | 2019-20

Not the 6-foot-6 skyscraper-type so prevalent now, Parsons relies instead on his reflexes, athleticism, quickness and high compete level -- he never gives up on a puck. Has a history of delivering big performances on the biggest of stages (WJC gold, Memorial Cup). Flames brass absolutely rave about him.


2. C Mark Jankowski (previously 1st, 5th, 8th, 15th)

• Age | 23 in September
• Size | 6-foot-4, 200 lbs
• Shoots | Left
• Acquired | Drafted in 1st round (21st overall) in 2012 
• Last Season | Stockton AHL (64 gm, 27-29-56), Calgary (1 gm, 0-0-0)
• ETA | 2017-18

It's been a marathon, not a sprint, but five years after being drafted, the finish line finally nears for the first rounder, who as a rookie led Stockton in scoring and was a critical go-to guy for coach Ryan Huska, who deployed him in all manpower situations. His well-rounded game is nearly NHL-ready.


3. D Rasmus Andersson (previously 2nd, 3rd, 2nd, 6th)

• Age | 20
• Size | 6-foot-1, 220 lbs
• Shoots | Right
• Acquired | Drafted in 2nd round (53rd overall) in 2015
• Last Season | Stockton AHL (54 gm, 3-19-22), Calgary (1 gm, 0-0-0)
• ETA | 2018-19

It took a little time in his rookie season to elevate his game to the tempo required, but after that, he was a relied-upon top-four fixture. Elite with the puck and with a defensive game that's coming along nicely, he had an excellent season. A month in the NHL will have whet his appetite for more.



5. D Juuso Valimaki 

• Age | 18
• Size | 6-foot-2, 215 lbs
• Shoots | Left
• Acquired | Drafted in 1st round (16th overall) in 2017 
• Last Season | Tri-City WHL (60 gm, 19-42-61)
• ETA | 2019-20

Trading for top-four defencemen is expensive -- see Dougie Hamilton, Travis Hamonic. Flames hope the big Finn will develop into that role and be a mainstay on the blueline for several years. Previously captained Finland's U16 and U18 teams, he'll captain the U20 team at the WJC.


6. C/LW Dillon Dube (previously 7th, 11th)

• Age | 19 
• Size | 5-foot-11, 185 lbs
• Shoots | Left
• Acquired | Drafted in 2nd round (56th overall) in 2016
• Last Season | Kelowna WHL (40 gm, 20-35-55)
• ETA | 2019-20

After making last year's WJC team to the surprise of many, he embraced and thrived in his shutdown role and was one of Canada's top forwards. It was a chance for the speedy and dangerous scorer to showcase his stingy defensive game. Faces one more year in WHL as he's not old enough to play in AHL.


7. RW Spencer Foo

• Age | 23
• Size | 6-foot-0, 185 lbs
• Shoots | Right
• Acquired | Signed as a free agent in July 2017 
• Last Season | Union NCAA (38 gm, 26-36-62)
• ETA | 2017-18

After a huge year offensively in his third year of NCAA that earned him a Hobey Baker nomination, he left school and after methodically weighing his options, he chose the Flames. Some AHL time could be in the offing but his ascent into Calgary's could happen very quickly.




9. D Oliver Kylington (previously 5th, 4th, 6th, 7th)
10. LW Andrew Mangiapane (previously 8th, 8th, 9th, 20th)

• Age | 21
• Size | 5-foot-10, 185 lbs
• Shoots | Left
• Acquired | Drafted in 6th round (166th overall) in 2015
• Last Season | Stockton AHL (66 gm, 20-21-41)
• ETA | 2018-19

Realizing his future is as an offensive player, he was used that way and got off to a hot start alongside AHL vets Matt Frattin and Linden Vey. Smaller but not small and highly-skilled, consistency is the next step as he suffered long dry spells as a rookie. He's trending up as if he was a second rounder.

Honourable Mentions:

The best of the rest, in no particular order.