As has become tradition for to help ardent fans pass the time during the NHL all-star break, it's time to unveil the latest and greatest list of who could be regular NHLers in Calgary in the future.
This is also an enjoyable undertaking because first the arguing begins with myself. Up until the last moment, I'm always tweaking the list. Moving one guy up, moving one guy down, moving one in, moving one guy out. I'm constantly thinking it over, re-thinking it and yes, probably over-thinking it.
No matter what, there is always going to be debate and maybe even a little outrage and now those discussions can begin.
History
This is the sixth edition of my bi-annual rankings, which made its debut in August 2015. While it doesn't feel like all that long ago, a look back at the list reminds you of how long ago it really was.
Topping the list that initial year was Sam Bennett. Having just been made the Flames highest-ever draft pick, it was hard to dispute his perch at that juncture. But the next three on the list -- Emile Poirier, Mason MacDonald and Brandon Hickey -- well, for a variety of reasons, their careers have not exactly taken off. Not yet, anyway.
That's what makes these snapshots in time of the Flames prospect cupboard, done twice a year -- late in the summer after the draft and in January/February at the all-star break -- so fascinating is it reminds us of what once was supposed to be, which frequently turns out not to be, and vice versa.
On that first list, at No. 10 was Micheal Ferland. Arguably too high at the time, now he's on the Flames No. 1 line. You just never know.
For those curious, here's a look back at the past rankings:
One thing I'll point out is I like to build-in a power rankings-like feel to my list so prospects tend to rise and fall on my list in a more volatile fashion than they might on the whiteboard in Brad Treliving's office. But I like it that way, it reflects who has had a good season so far, and who hasn't.
My Definition of 'Prospect'
If you look at other hockey publications and websites, there are different definitions for 'prospect'. Some have age restrictions, 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
Grads and Departures
As mentioned, more of players than usual have moved on this time around and moved on in a good way. It could easily have been four, but instead, three players have graduated, no surprise given the high impact Stockton players have made on the 2017-18 Flames.
The most notable departure is Mark Jankowski, who last time around checked in at No. 2 on the list. Given the go-ahead in December by GM Brad Treliving to find a place, not only does that mean no more living at hotel, it also means he's been evicted from this list.
Now a regular on the third pairing, Brett Kulak has also moved on and good for him. An honourable mention while he was languishing in the ECHL, he bumped up and down the rankings over the years, leaving off at No. 13 last year, which is about where you'll find guys with third pairing upside. For Kulak, we'll see if he can take it further.
The other grad for a couple reasons is Garnet Hathaway. For one, he's too old now. But also, he seems to have established himself as a bottom-six NHLer with the GM saying recently that he's here to stay for the season.
So, are you sitting comfortably? Then we'll begin.
Flames Top 20 Prospects - January 2018
Included for reference is each player's previous rankings starting from the most recent (August 2017) and working backwards chronologically.
- Age | 21
- Size | 6-foot-1, 220 lbs
- Shoots | Right
- Acquired | Drafted in 2nd round (53rd overall) in 2015
- This Season | Stockton AHL (36 gm, 4-21-25)
- ETA | 2018-19
When you shoot harder than Ovechkin, the NHL Hardest Shot winner pic.twitter.com/cqqcWvX07j— Stockton Heat (@AHLHeat) January 29, 2018
2. G Tyler Parsons (previously 1st, 3rd, 9th)
- Age | 20
- Size | 6-foot-1, 185 lbs
- Catches | Left
- Acquired | Drafted in 2nd round (54th overall) in 2016
- This Season | Kansas City ECHL (21 gm, 10-9-1, 3.07 GAA, .906 SV%)
- ETA | 2020-21
3. D Adam Fox (previously 4th, 10th, 15th)
- Age | 20 in February
- Size | 5-foot-11, 180 lbs
- Shoots | Right
- Acquired | Drafted in 3rd round (66th overall) in 2016
- This Season | Harvard NCAA (17 gm, 0-12-12)
- ETA | 2020-21
- Age | 19
- Size | 5-foot-11, 185 lbs
- Shoots | Left
- Acquired | Drafted in 2nd round (56th overall) in 2016
- This Season | Kelowna WHL (31 gm, 21-25-46)
- ETA | 2019-20
5. D Juuso Valimaki (previously 5th)
- Age | 19
- Size | 6-foot-2, 215 lbs
- Shoots | Left
- Acquired | Drafted in 1st round (16th overall) in 2017
- This Season | Tri-City WHL (19 gm, 5-15-20)
- ETA | 2019-20
6. 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
- This Season | Stockton AHL (31 gm, 16-19-35), Calgary NHL (8 gm, 0-0-0)
- ETA | 2018-19
Embed from Getty Images
7. G David Rittich (previously 12th, 16th)
- Age | 25
- Size | 6-foot-3, 202 lbs
- Catches | Left
- Acquired | Signed as FA in June 2016
- This Season | Calgary NHL (7 gm, 4-1-2, 2.15 GAA, .929 SV%), Stockton AHL (6 gm, 5-1-0, 2.17 GAA, .931 SV%)
- ETA | 2017-18
Embed from Getty Images
8. RW Spencer Foo (previously 7th)
9. D Oliver Kylington (previously 9th, 5th, 4th, 6th, 7th)
10. G Jon Gillies (previously 8th, 6th, 2nd, 1st, 5th)
Embed from Getty Images
11. C Adam Ruzicka (previously 20th, HM)
- Age | 24
- Size | 6-foot-0, 185 lbs
- Shoots | Right
- Acquired | Signed as a free agent in July 2017
- This Season | Stockton AHL (39 gm, 12-12-24)
- ETA | 2018-19
Flames prospect Spencer Foo has been heating up in Stockton lately. Five points in two games this weekend gives him 11 points (6 g, 5 a) over his last 9 games. He had just 13 points (6 g, 7 a) in his first 30 games.— Darren Haynes (@DarrenWHaynes) January 28, 2018
9. D Oliver Kylington (previously 9th, 5th, 4th, 6th, 7th)
- Age | 20
- Size | 6-foot-0, 180 lbs
- Shoots | Left
- Acquired | Drafted in 2nd round (60th overall) in 2015
- This Season | Stockton AHL (37 gm, 2-20-22)
- ETA | 2019-20
10. G Jon Gillies (previously 8th, 6th, 2nd, 1st, 5th)
- Age | 24
- Size | 6-foot-6, 225 lbs
- Catches | Left
- Acquired | Drafted in 3rd round (75th overall) in 2012
- This Season | Stockton AHL (28 gm, 13-11-4, 2.57 GAA, .917 SV%)
- ETA | 2019-20
Embed from Getty Images
11. C Adam Ruzicka (previously 20th, HM)
- Age | 18
- Size | 6-foot-4, 210 lbs
- Shoots | Left
- Acquired | Drafted in 4th round (109th overall) in 2017
- This Season | Sarnia OHL (44 gm, 28-25-53)
- ETA | 2021-22
12. C Glenn Gawdin (debut)
Embed from Getty Images
- Age | 21 in March
- Size | 6-foot-1, 195 lbs
- Shoots | Right
- Acquired | Signed as FA in Nov 2017 (originally St. Louis 4th rounder in 2015)
- This Season | Swift Current WHL (49 gm, 39-50-89)
- ETA | 2020-21
Embed from Getty Images
13. C Linus Lindstrom (previously 19th, HM)
- Age | 20
- Size | 6-foot-0, 170 lbs
- Shoots | Left
- Acquired | Drafted in 4th round (96th overall) in 2016
- This Season | Skelleftea Sweden (29 gm, 2-1-3)
- ETA | 2021-22
14. RW Matthew Phillips (previously 15th, 15th)
- Age | 20 in April
- Size | 5-foot-7, 155 lbs
- Shoots | Right
- Acquired | Drafted in 6th round (166th overall) in 2016
- This Season | Victoria WHL (50 gm, 35-44-79)
- ETA | 2021-22
15. LW Morgan Klimchuk (previously 14th, 12th, 14th, 7th, 9th)
- Age | 23 in March
- Size | 6-foot-0, 185 lbs
- Shoots | Left
- Acquired | Drafted in 1st round (28th overall) in 2013
- This Season | Stockton AHL (40 gm, 12-13-25)
- ETA | 2019-20
- Age | 20 in March
- Size | 6-foot-2, 230 lbs
- Shoots | Right
- Acquired | Drafted in 6th round (156th overall) in 2016
- This Season | HPK Finland (37 gm, 11-8-19)
- ETA | 2021-22
Embed from Getty Images
17. RW Emile Poirier (previously 11th, 20th, 10th, 4th, 2nd)
- Age | 23
- Size | 6-foot-2, 200 lbs
- Shoots | Left
- Acquired | Drafted in 1st round (22nd overall) in 2013
- This Season | Stockton AHL (39 gm, 3-13-16)
- ETA | 2019-20
Embed from Getty Images
18. LW Ryan Lomberg (previously HM)
- Age | 23
- Size | 5-foot-9, 185 lbs
- Shoots | Left
- Acquired | Signed to NHL ELC in March 2017
- This Season | Stockton AHL (37 gm, 5-9-14)
- ETA | 2018-19
Ryan Lomberg making his NHL debut is a great story. In 2015, he was a 5-9, unknown, unpolished, scraggly-haired kid invited to development camp. But driven by his passion for the game, he's knocked down every barrier and now brings his piss-and-vinegar style to the show. Awesome.— Darren Haynes (@DarrenWHaynes) January 25, 2018
19. C D'Artagnan Joly (debut)
- Age | 19 in April
- Size | 6-foot-3, 180 lbs
- Shoots | Right
- Acquired | Drafted in 6th round (171st overall) in 2017
- This Season | Baie-Comeau QMJHL (38 gm, 15-31-46)
- ETA | 2021-22
- Age | 23
- Size | 5-foot-11, 180 lbs
- Shoots | Left
- Acquired | Trade with Canucks in Feb 2016 (originally Vancouver 1st rounder in 2013)
- This Season | Stockton AHL (38 gm, 12-6-18)
- ETA | 2019-20
Honourable Mentions:
The best of the rest:
D Josh Healey (previously 18th) - Still adjusting from NCAA and playing time has been hard to get.
RW Zach Fischer (debut) - Late bloomer passed over twice in draft. He can score and he can fight.
C Mitchell Mattson (previously NR, HM) - Lanky, long-term project will play for MSU next year.
D Tyler Wotherspoon (previously HM, 13th, 12th, 13th, 11th) - Solid AHLer, can't get NHL look.
D Adam Ollas-Mattsson (previously NR, HM, 20th, 19th) - Big Swede in first year on the 200x85.
RW Zach Fischer (debut) - Late bloomer passed over twice in draft. He can score and he can fight.
C Mitchell Mattson (previously NR, HM) - Lanky, long-term project will play for MSU next year.
D Tyler Wotherspoon (previously HM, 13th, 12th, 13th, 11th) - Solid AHLer, can't get NHL look.
D Adam Ollas-Mattsson (previously NR, HM, 20th, 19th) - Big Swede in first year on the 200x85.
By the way, have you liked Flames From 80 Feet on Facebook yet? Do so now! It's another way to be alerted to new stories I've written, other articles from my colleagues that I've enjoyed and I'll occasionally use that space to weigh in on the news of the day.
Still sleeping on Phillips
ReplyDeletebut great list, appreciate the work
DeleteHappy to be proven wrong, but I'm definitely less bullish on Phillips than some. Not sure he is as shifty as Gaudreau and matched up against much stronger players in the NHL, I'm skeptical that he will be able to have an impact. He's smaller than Gaudreau and that's saying something. But I'm rooting for him because he's a super nice kid and a local kid, it would be an awesome story -- and hey, I always cheer for the story. Always.
DeleteLike many I wish they would give Klimchuk a look. Even if he was the 13th forward for an extended period the Flames would have a better idea. Is it time to move on from Poirier and Shinkaruk? Should the Flames consider moving one of their D prospects for someone who might be ready to play RW for them?
ReplyDeleteI'd like to see Klimchuk get a look even if it's just a game or two, to at least see what's there. I think Shinkaruk is near the end. Given Poirier's unique situation, I'm not prepared to walk away on his upside quite yet, but the team may. Hard to say. The odds of him making it get longer and longer every day. As for making trades, prospects that aren't A prospects won't get you much. Kylington for example, doubt he fetches a guy that can step in and play RW on Calgary. All teams have prospects they hope turn out, they're not giving up much to get a question mark from another organization.
DeleteOn another matter; how many of the CHL players do you see joining the Heat at the end of their CHL seasons. Also do you see any way that Fox signs at the end of Haarvard season? How do you make room for both he an Andersson?
Deleteexcellent hockey players with Alex, I was in junior school, he was already a sports g
ReplyDelete