Post by Calgary Flames on Jul 6, 2022 11:11:44 GMT -6
Inspired by another GMs article, the here is a look at the Flames futures pipeline. For the sake of this exercise we will look at all players under 25 and prospects in the pipeline. The reason for looking at players under 25 is that they have at least 3 years until UFA and could still improve due to high POs. Here is a look at the Flames young guns.
Already in the NHL:
The AHL
The Prospect Pipeline
Overall, the future is bright in Calgary where many of the AHL players are expected to join the pros in the near term. GM Sean McAndrews appeared to focus on players that could help sooner rather than later including shipping out top prospect Jakob Pelletier in the Juolevi deal. When asked about this McAndrews noted, "We love prospects and the draft but prospects are rated very low meaning you have years and years and years of development or you are hoping for a rerate. With guys like Zadina, Nylander, Juolevi and Timmins we will get help right away and they are much closer to potential stardom. We will build up the prospect pool as well but felt in the first year of the league this is the way to go."
Not surprisingly with this in mind, the Flames do not have an A level prospect but a few B's and C's but there is still some talent there. McAndrews plan of building up the pool could be coming to fruition in short order with the Flames owning 8 picks in this seasons draft including their own 1st, two 2nds, two 3rds, and two 4ths. The team is currently well stocked with young defensemen so look for the Flames to focus upfront and perhaps add some goalie insurance late in case Wolf does not pan out. With that said, the Flames tend to take the best player available when they pick and you can never have enough quality D in the system.
Already in the NHL:
- Rasmus Dahlin: Already a stud NHLer and top pairing D man he is only 22, had a fantastic season and has a PO of 99. The sky is the limit
- Miro Heiskanen: Similar to Dahlin, Heiskanen is already a top pairing D, is only 22, had a fantastic season and has a PO of 96. The sky is still the limit!
- Ryan Lindgren: A little older at 24, Lindgren is a hardnosed throwback defender and has a solid PO of 82
- Alex Nylander: Finally a forward on the list, Nylander spent most of the year in the AHL where he torched the opposition. He is 24 and has a reasonable PO at 75. He makes this list as he finished the year in the NHL and played every play-off game for the big club.
The AHL
- Filip Zadina: Zadina was an early dispersal draft pick and is the prize of the prospects. He had a fantastic AHL season, is only 21, and has a PO of 93. The future is bright.
- Victor Soderstrom: While he is a few years away, it is not hard to envision Soderstrom teaming up with the teams other puck movers on the back end to give the opposition fits. He is 22 and has an 87PO.
- Grigori Denisenko: The dynamic Russian winger had a strong AHL season as well, is only 21, and has a PO of 85.
- Olli Juolevi: Another offensively gifted Scandinavian, Juolevi was acquired part way through the season and really flourished. He is 24 with a PO of 85.
- Connor Timmins: Timmins was an absolute stud on the blue line for the stockton heat and at 23, with a PO of 83 he should be in the NHL very soon.
- Yan Kuznetsov: A big ranger two way defender, Kuznetsov was one of the youngest players in his draft year and in the AHL at 20. He has a solid PO of 80 making him a potential future rerate candidate if he recognizes his potential.
- Dustin Wolf: Wolf is a bit on the small side but the two time WHL goalie of the year, one time CHL goalie of the year, and the real life AHL rookie of the year the doubters are starting to fade. Calgary has famously been looking for its goaltender of the future but they very well could have it in Dustin Wolf.
The Prospect Pipeline
- Jeremie Pourier: Another dynamic defender, Pourier's skating, vision, and puck skills are electric and he has worked hard to improve his defending
- Ryan Francis: Like Pourier, Francis needs to work on his two way game but the shifty forward has electric dangles and great agility in traffic. Incidentally, Francis, Pourier, and Kuznetsov all recently won the Memorial Cup with the St. Johns Sea Dogs.
- Matias Emilio Pettersson: The big rangy winger has a well established two way game and had a very strong first season in the NCAA
- Cameron Wynot: More of a defensive defenseman, Wynot has good reach, 4 way mobility, and makes a good first pass.
- Jack Beck: A late bloomer in the WHL, Beck has steadily improved his prospect status since being drafted in the 5th round.
Overall, the future is bright in Calgary where many of the AHL players are expected to join the pros in the near term. GM Sean McAndrews appeared to focus on players that could help sooner rather than later including shipping out top prospect Jakob Pelletier in the Juolevi deal. When asked about this McAndrews noted, "We love prospects and the draft but prospects are rated very low meaning you have years and years and years of development or you are hoping for a rerate. With guys like Zadina, Nylander, Juolevi and Timmins we will get help right away and they are much closer to potential stardom. We will build up the prospect pool as well but felt in the first year of the league this is the way to go."
Not surprisingly with this in mind, the Flames do not have an A level prospect but a few B's and C's but there is still some talent there. McAndrews plan of building up the pool could be coming to fruition in short order with the Flames owning 8 picks in this seasons draft including their own 1st, two 2nds, two 3rds, and two 4ths. The team is currently well stocked with young defensemen so look for the Flames to focus upfront and perhaps add some goalie insurance late in case Wolf does not pan out. With that said, the Flames tend to take the best player available when they pick and you can never have enough quality D in the system.
