Oliver Kylington – McKeen's Hockey

MCKEEN’S 2022-23 NHL YEARBOOK – CALGARY FLAMES – NHL Player Profiles

Corey Sznajder – Forwards and Defense, Catherine Silverman - Goaltending — Thu, 15 Sep 2022 21:53:02 +0000

CALGARY, AB - MAY 20: Calgary Flames Goalie Jacob Markstrom (25) stretches in his crease during the third period of game 2 of the second round of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Calgary Flames and the Edmonton Oilers on May 20, 2022, at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, AB. (Photo by Brett Holmes/Icon Sportswire)

FORWARDS

Jonathan Huberdeau

Calgary made the most out of a bad situation by acquiring Huberdeau as part of the Tkachuk trade, replacing some of the elite talent they lost in the summer. Huberdeau is about as close to a Johnny Gaudreau replacement as they could find. Teetering in “great but not elite” territory for most of his career, the winger shattered that mold the last two years, finishing third in the league in points last season and solidifying himself as one of the league’s top playmakers. After turning names like Alex Wennberg, Sam Bennett and Anthony Duclair into bonafide top sixers in Florida, doing the same with Elias Lindholm and Tyler Toffoli should be very easy for him. There are some new challenges for Huberdeau in Calgary, it’s his first time as “the guy” and he will be the main focus for every team now that Barkov isn’t on the main top line. Calgary’s going to build their entire team around him with a supporting cast that isn’t as deep as it was in Florida. It’s a chance for him to prove that he belongs in the conversation with the Matthews and MacKinnon’s of the world instead of just a guy who had a few great years. He’s not a difficult guy to build around, as he can create offense in all situations, including the penalty kill, and doesn’t need a special linemate to take advantage of his skillset. The concern is that his level of play last year was absurd even for his standards and tough for even the best players to repeat. It will be interesting to see where he levels out at.

Nazem Kadri

The stars aligned for Kadri in a contract year. He had an unbelievable season, scoring at a 100-point pace and capped it off with a great playoff run enroute to his first Stanley Cup. Due for a significant pay raise that was going to be too rich for the Avs, he settled on a new home in Calgary, signing a seven-year contract. He was a perfect fit in Colorado, matching the speed and intensity that the rest of the team played with, and everything just seemed to break right last year. He can play the north-south game, forecheck hard and developed some great chemistry with their talented defensemen. Translating this to a new team will be interesting. Kadri plays the type of game that can fit into any system and while he might not be an 87-point player, he should give Calgary’s second line a solid floor. He plays with a lot of speed and his passing has come a long way since his days in Toronto. Sliding in between Andrew Mangiapane and Blake Coleman makes a lot of sense on paper, as all three can play that high-intensity game Kadri brings but will they score enough to justify Kadri’s $7 mil. cap hit? It’s a skill downgrade from what he had in Andre Burakovsky and Val Nichushkin, but not to the point where you’d expect Kadri to become a 30-40 player who you can’t trust in bad matchups. As long as Kadri’s legs stay healthy, he’s going to be a player who can tilt the ice to some degree and gives the Flames some stability with a possible scoring upside.

Elias Lindholm

Elias Lindholm was living his best life centering Matthew Tkachuk and Johnny Gaudreau, playing the high forward role perfectly enroute to a 42-goal season. The young Swede has been a lethal passing target for Gaudreau, improving as a goal-scorer every year and getting plenty of chances to show the skill that made him a top-five draft pick. The Flames top line was so dominant last year that it was easy for Lindholm to find soft spots in the defense, with Gaudreau doing most of the puck-handling and Tkachuk doing the work along the boards. Lindholm’s always thought the game well and him applying that to the offensive side of the game made Calgary’s top line one of the best in hockey. It will be interesting how he gels with Jonathan Huberdeau, who brings some Gaudreau-like qualities to the table and can set Lindholm up for plenty of scoring chances. Huberdeau usually has to turn players into great finishers rather than being paired with one himself, which makes him and Lindholm being matched together very exiting on paper. Some regression should be expected, as it was such a three-way street on Calgary’s top line last year that you’re going to see a drop-off while three new players learn to work together. That said, Lindholm is only a year removed from having a productive season away from Calgary’s top line and his shot is always a threat regardless of who is setting him up. It just might not be the same magic he had with Gaudreau and Tkachuk.

Mikael Backlund

A mainstay on Calgary’s second line for nine years now, Backlund is a model of consistency for Calgary. His skating and tenacious playing style make his line a tough matchup even if they don’t always get rewarded for it on the scoresheet. Last year was business as usual for them, tilting the ice most nights with newcomer Blake Coleman and Andrew Mangiapane giving Backlund some great speed on the wings. They were one of the more productive shutdown lines in hockey early in the season, with Backlund doing most of the work with getting the puck out of the zone and giving Mangiapane some breakaway opportunities. They played like every shift was a penalty kill where they were pushing for rush chances. It both helped and hurt Backlund because while his line was great, his own boxcar stats took a hit. He posted his lowest point total in a full season since 2014 and has scored on less than 10% of his shots for the past two years now. It’s a by-product of his role and his own limitations offensively, being more of a straight-line player than someone who will look for an extra pass. It’s something the Flames will have to monitor but it’s not their primary concern if his line keeps winning their matchups.

Tyler Toffoli

One week into his Calgary tenure, Toffoli looked like one of the best mid-season trades of the year. He got off to a hot start with five goals in his first eight games as a Flame and followed it by scoring only six more in his next 29 games. It doesn’t sound that bad, but when you consider that only four of his 11 goals with the Flames came at five-on-five and three of his goals were empty netters, he had a very frustrating stint in Calgary. This includes a stretch in the playoffs where he was woefully snake-bitten with two goals in 12 games. It’s not that surprising, all scorers are streaky and Toffoli isn’t exactly Steven Stamkos in terms of finishing. What was disappointing was how much he struggled to fit in with the Flames system. He would create chances, but one-dimensional in that he could only do it off the rush, which is a problem when your center is Sean Monahan and you’re expected to do the bulk of the work with carrying and recovering the puck. Not even a trip to Mikael Backlund’s wing could get him going, as he was one of a few players on Calgary who posted a negative on-ice goal and scoring chance differential, which says a lot when you consider how good Calgary was as a team. The silver lining for Calgary being that Toffoli was still generating chances on his own and not converting as much as he can. Play-driving is a concern because he’s not great at playing with speed, but he will get a chance to start fresh with Lindholm’s right wing spot up for grabs.

Andrew Mangiapane

Watch the highlights of Mangiapane’s 30-goal season and you’ll notice that he could probably read the goaltender’s mask art on all of them. He scored at every level he played at and carried it over to the NHL, with ice-time being the only thing keeping him from having a true “breakout” season. That changed this year, as he made the jump to the top-six and was a terror for teams with poor net-front defense. It was easy to see why he was leading the league in shooting percentage, with most of his goals coming off breakaways, deflections and rebounds in front of the net. Mangiapane is also one of the better play-drivers in the league, with his speed an uncanny ability to beat defenders to the inside making Calgary’s second line a matchup nightmare for other teams. The goal-scoring outburst was just a bonus when you factor in everything else he brings to the table. He could be in the mix for a spot on the top line, as he brings some similar qualities to Tkachuk with how well he plays in front of the net. Making the jump to a top-line player will be important for Calgary to repeat their success from last year. He might not get the same number of lay-up goals, but he should continue to be a key driver of whatever line Darryl Sutter puts him on.

Dillon Dube

Possessing good wheels and a great shot, Dube finally started to put some of it together in what was his fourth NHL season, scoring a career high 18 goals. He brought a quick-strike threat to the Flames third line with Sean Monahan and Milan Lucic, quarterbacking most of the offense on this unit. It played to his strengths in a way, as he’s a bit of a puck-hog and it makes the Flames play at a quicker pace. The drawback was that sometimes the rest of the line couldn’t keep up with him, which led to a lot of one-and-done chances and mediocre on-ice metrics for a group. They were a neutral in terms of goal differential and didn’t tilt the ice as much as much as you’d want a depth group with weaker matchups to do. Dube is kind of an all-or-nothing type of player. With the puck he uses his speed well to create chances and get a decent looks off the rush. Recovering pucks, forechecking and looking for the extra play, however, were a different story. This is why his line went through prolonged scoring droughts despite Dube himself having a decent season goal-scoring wise. That said, he has settled into a nice role as a middle-six winger and while the Flames will be looking for more offense 80+ goals to replace, they have some other options they can turn to before Dube.

Blake Coleman

The Flames got what they expected out of Coleman in the first season of his six-year contract. An excellent forechecker and support player on breakouts, he was a key cog on the second line with Mikael Backlund. His speed and general aggressive playing style made the move to Calgary an easy transition for him. Goal-scoring was a secondary concern because his line created so much in volume and his line always drove play for Calgary. Same goes for his limited puck skills, namely with making plays in the offensive zone. While Coleman is good at connecting the dots with getting the puck up ice and exiting the zone, making east-west plays isn’t exactly in his arsenal and he’s more likely to take the puck to the net or try to score from distance once he gets any space. It’s what makes him a very useful player for Calgary, but not so much in fantasy pools, as he usually piles up more penalty minutes and hits than assists. An audition on the top line with Huberdeau is possible. His speed and sandpaper would add a different element, but he is so effective in a checking role with Backlund that Calgary might not want to mess with something that isn’t broken. He is also one of the better penalty killers in the league and could see some extra offense there with how often he tries to attack shorthanded.

DEFENSE

Mackenzie Weegar

A strong Calgary defense corps got even better with the addition of Mackenzie Weegar. He did a lot of learning on the job in Florida, working his way up the depth chart and improving as he got more responsibility. It all culminated over the past two years when Aaron Ekblad missed significant time with injuries, giving Weegar the reins to the Florida blue line. He passed the test with flying colors, adding more wrinkles to his game and having two stellar years offensively. He doesn’t have a lot of traits that stick out in highlight reels, he’s just very good at everything and thinks the game at a high level, which makes up for his small-ish frame. Even with Ekblad out of the lineup, Weegar was responsible for Florida’s excellent transition game, starting most of their breakouts with good retrievals and avoiding turnovers. He wasn’t shy about joining the rush or taking risks in the offensive zone either, a part of his game that has taken huge steps since his rookie year. The more work you throw at him, the better he plays. Which can result in him trying to do too much and turning the puck over at times, but the good outweighs the bad with him. With the landscape changing in Calgary, it will be interesting to see where Weegar slides in. He can play both sides, is a better defender than Andersson but not the reliable bedrock Chris Tanev is on the right side. Weegar’s versatility makes him such a valuable player, so it will be interesting to see where he fits in with so many good veteran defensemen in the mix.

Noah Hanifin

Noah Hanifin’s skillset and results couldn’t be more different. On paper, he should be the best player on Calgary’s defense corps. He’s a big, effortless skater who can go coast-to-coast without breaking a sweat. He’s aggressive with how he defends his own blue line and has the offensive instincts to be a great top-pair guy. For most of his career, Hanifin was just a very good second-pair defender who brought a stabilizing presence but nothing game-breaking. The tides started to turn this year as he formed a great second-pair with Rasmus Andersson. He set a career high in points, most coming from secondary assists, looked closer to the free-wheeling player he was in Carolina with how often he would pinch in to create better chances. His improvements on the defensive side of the game were very encouraging. The turnovers weren’t happening as often and he looked more composed with taking risks, knowing when to challenge forwards while defending entries and when to back off. It was a reminder of how good he can be when he is on his game, which was looking like every night instead of once every couple of weeks. Then the playoffs happened, where Hanifin was on the ice for 14 goals against at five-on-five in only 12 games. Sometimes that happens and Connor McDavid will make a lot of good players look bad. Aside from that, it was a successful year for the former BC Eagle with some good development in the offensive side of the game.

Rasmus Andersson

As Calgary’s team defense goes so does Rasmus Andersson. Coming off a tough year, he looked a little more comfortable in a top-four role. He was reunited with Noah Hanifin and played a little more within his means. He is at his best when he is leading the rush and using his skating to create, which we didn’t see much of when he was playing a tough-minute role. Calgary was a better team in general last year, so Andersson got to be up in the play a little more and use some of his great skilset. He is the best playmaker on the Flames blue-line, both in transition and with threading the needle to a forward in the offensive zone. It made him and Hanifin a nice backstop to the Flames top line and the ridiculous number of chances they were creating every night. It was also a reminder that a defenseman’s results can depend on the situation he’s in more than his ability. Andersson was out of his depth in a shutdown role the previous year and looked like a completely different player once Calgary’s forwards improved. It makes it tough to project him next year, as he’s not the most assertive player with killing plays in the defensive zone and his strengths are more when the play is heading north. His great hands and vision are always going to keep his ceiling relatively high, though.

Oliver Kylington

Spending most of 2020-21 on the taxi squad, Kylington got a fresh start in Calgary as Chris Tanev’s partner. While he didn’t play the minutes as some of the other top guys, he had a key role with facilitating the Flames transition game. He can skate his way out of danger very easily and play at the pace required to keep up with Gaudreau. It was a nice addition to a defense corps that was already pretty strong and a great complement to Tanev’s more defensive presence. Kylington has an explosive first stride and is always looking to jump or move the play north. Even in a high-leverage role, he played the same way he did in the minors and established himself as a solid NHLer. He might return to more of a depth role this year, as he lost ice-time to bigger defensemen like Gudbranson and Zadorov in the playoffs and it’s hard to see him beating out Weegar for a top-four spot. The forwards in front of him will also change because presumably moving away from Tanev means less minutes with the Backlund line and the team could play less on the rush in general with Gaudreau departing. Kylington should be able to crush third-pair minutes, but there’s going to be a cap on point-production due to ice-time and playing behind depth lines. It will also be interesting to see if he can gel with an AHL call-up as well as he did with Tanev.

GOALTENDING

Jacob Markström

It took him a moment to get going in Calgary – but last season, it became fairly clear that Jacob Markström had been a good gamble for the Flames when they signed him during the 2020 free agency period. He was one of the best goaltenders in the NHL last year, finishing second in Vezina voting and posting the best numbers of his entire career – not just in save percentage, but in almost every discernible category. He elevated his consistency levels, topping the .600 quality start percentage for the first time in his 12-year NHL career, and his whopping nine shutouts bested the league entirely.

There’s always a bit of worry that a goaltender on the wrong side of 30 will see some regression when they post career highs, especially when playing for a more traditional coach who doesn’t spend much time cultivating a tandem culture. That was certainly the case for Markström under head coach Darryl Sutter, who rode his starter for 63 games during the 2021-22 season – a sharp uptick after seeing the Swedish netminder operate in a completely even split in each of his two seasons prior. But the way that Markström plays suits a Darryl Sutter style, which values structure and a defense-first system over all else, and that complementary element to Markström’s game combines with an easier workload behind a Sutter system to make this less of a concern than it might be elsewhere. And given some of the workload numbers witnessed in LA back when Sutter controlled the bench during Jonathan Quick’s earlier career years, this deployment of Markström is a far more progressive approach than some might have worried they’d see from Sutter – suggesting that even an old coach can learn new tricks and Markström should find himself better able to rely upon relief should he need it. Keep an eye on how his recovery game looks as the season progresses, though; while Markström’s game tends to rely upon offensive reads and patience on his skates more than a lot of movement from his knees, he does have a tendency to freeze up sometimes when struggling and leave holes open for long enough to give snipers extra space to work with. He’s cleaned up some of his decision-making skills in the last few years, particularly last year, and his angles in the blue paint look sharper than ever. But Calgary’s window is closing fast, and they lost some valuable offense during the off-season. Markström can’t afford to take much of a step back, and if fatigue starts to set in things could snowball quickly.

Projected starts: 55-60

Dan Vladar

Boston likely doesn’t regret pulling the trigger on their move to send prospect Dan Vladar to the Calgary Flames in the summer of 2021, particularly given the success that Jeremy Swayman met with last year. But for Calgary, the move seems to be working out perfectly as well. Vladar didn’t post Calder-worthy numbers, and he certainly paled in comparison to starter Jacob Markström’s Vezina-worthy performance. But on a team that likely wasn’t going to be deploying a true tandem under head coach Darryl Sutter, Vladar was exactly what the team needed him to be – a competent backup who didn’t wow the crowds, but performanced consistently just above average and with enough reliable technique to give his team a routine chance to win the games he played in.

Vladar’s game still lacks some of the finesse and patience he’ll need to reach a more consistently elite level, but he took tremendous strides last season from a control standpoint in the blue paint. The Flames saw the 24-year-old goaltender pull his game deeper and narrow his stance more, tucking his limbs closer into his body and closing some of the gaps he had shown in coverage in years prior. He still struggles to read oncoming offensive plays with enough confidence to hold his stance, which leaves him second-guessing his positioning just enough to keep him making adjustments until the puck has already left his opponent’s stick. He’ll need to clean that up this year to prevent teams from goading him out of position, which can create a snowball effect that pushes young goaltender development back at the NHL level. Luckily, though, he already showed improvements in that area this past year; while he still made constant minute adjustments to his stance and struggled to bait shooters into coming to him, he avoided oversliding and forcing himself to recover back into saves nearly as much as he did when he first hit North America. That makes it easy to have faith that he’ll continue to improve next year, especially if Markström continues to be Calgary’s clear number one.

Projected starts: 20-25

CULLEN: 20 FANTASY POINTS – Evgeni Malkin returns to action and Evander Kane might have a new team soon. Jared McCann, Nico Hischier, Clayton Keller, Trevor Moore and more

Scott Cullen — Sat, 15 Jan 2022 22:57:13 +0000

Each week I will dive into the numbers and offer some insights that should help when it comes time to make fantasy hockey decisions.

In this week’s edition of 20 Fantasy Points, Evgeni Malkin returns to action and Evander Kane might have a new team soon. Jared McCann, Nico Hischier, Clayton Keller, Trevor Moore and more.

PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 09: Pittsburgh Penguins Center Evgeni Malkin (71) handles the puck during the NHL game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the New York Rangers on March 9, 2021, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Mark Alberti/Icon Sportswire)

#1 The Pittsburgh Penguins have waited patiently and finally had Evgeni Malkin make his season debut this week after a long recovery from knee surgery. He has taken his place on Pittsburgh’s first power play unit and is centering Jeff Carter and Kasperi Kapanen. While injuries have plagued Malkin throughout much of his career, he is still averaging 1.17 points per game since 2017-2018, the seventh highest rate in the league in that time.

#2 After the San Jose Sharks waived left winger Evander Kane for the purposes of terminating his contract, the door was open for Kane to sign with any team as a free agent. The Edmonton Oilers may be the landing spot most loudly rumored. That would obviously present a beneficial opportunity for Kane, who might even get to play with Connor McDavid. Alas, before the deal could even get signed, the league was reportedly investigating another potential COVID-19 protocol violation from Kane and that has put any signing on pause.

#3 If you can get past the off-ice issues, of which there are many, Kane has been a very productive player. In the three seasons prior to this one, Kane was tied for sixth among left wingers with 78 goals. He was tied with Tom Wilson for most penalty minutes among forwards (317) and his 405 hits ranked 13^th among left wingers. Kane’s 678 shots on goal in that span ranked third among left wingers. The shots and goals are difference makers in most fantasy leagues, the hits and penalty minutes are typically in the realm of banger-style leagues. Of course, he comes with more risk than the average player for a lot of reasons but, for fantasy purposes, he does have higher upside than the standard waiver wire addition.

#4 Seattle Kraken center Jared McCann had a breakthrough season for the Penguins last year, stepping into a bigger opportunity when Malkin was injured, and he has continued producing with the expansion Kraken. In his past five games, he has six points (3 G, 3 A) and 21 shots on goal and is up to 15 goals in 31 games. He has emerged as the No. 1 centre for the Kraken, which might even be better than was expected when he was selected in the expansion draft.

NEWARK, NJ - OCTOBER 04: New Jersey Devils center Nico Hischier (13) skates during the first period of the pre-season National Hockey League game between the New Jersey Devils and the Washington Capitals on October 4, 2021 at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire)

#5 Nico Hischier was limited to 21 games last season and the New Jersey Devils captain started slowly this season, but he has been rounding into form. In the past 23 games, Hischier has 19 points (6 G, 13 A) and 43 shots on goal. Pavel Zacha has been his most consistent linemate this season, though Jesper Bratt, Tomas Tatar, and Jimmy Vesey have skated with Hischier, too. With Jack Hughes picking up the scoring pace, the Devils are starting to see what could happen as their top two centers start to reach their offensive potential.

#6 Goals don’t come easily for the Arizona Coyotes. Their 2.15 goals per 60 minutes ranks 31^st, ahead of only the Montreal Canadiens (2.07), and yet Clayton Keller has really started to hit his stride offensively. In the past 18 games, Keller has 20 points (9 G, 11 A) and 61 shots on goal while averaging 20:49 of ice time per game. He is widely available in fantasy leagues and while the Coyotes are likely to shed some veteran talent before the trade deadline, Keller might just hang around and play big minutes on a bad team for the rest of the season.

#7 Point production has been inconsistent for Blake Coleman in his first season with the Calgary Flames, but the hard-driving winger does offer fantasy value in other categories, too. He had finished 2021 with one point in 14 games but in 2022 he has four points (2 G, 2 A) to go with 24 shots on goal and 15 hits in five games. As a player with multiple 20-goal and multiple 200-hit seasons, Coleman has sufficient fantasy upside.

#8 All of the schedule changes this season have resulted in a dramatic difference in terms of games played, so a team like the New York Islanders figures to offer more appeal going forward. The Islanders have played just 29 games, 10 fewer than the teams with the most games played. Mathew Barzal is the obvious target on the Islanders but, in deeper leagues, consider Oliver Wahlstrom, who has 10 points (3 G, 7 A) and 24 shots on goal in the past nine games, and Kieffer Bellows, who has eight points (3 G, 5 A) in his past eight games.

#9 The Ottawa Senators are another team that has played fewer games, with game No. 30 coming Thursday night in Calgary. Drake Batherson and Brady Tkachuk are the more obvious targets for the Sens but consider winger Alex Formenton, whose role is increasing, and he has produced nine points (4 G, 5 A) and 24 shots on goal in his past 10 games.

#10 If the Islanders and Sens are teams to target because they are low on the games played list, it stands to reason that the team that have played more might come with a buyer beware tag. Those teams include the Anaheim Ducks, Vegas Golden Knights, and Tampa Bay Lightning. Beware Ducks veteran center Ryan Getzlaf, who had a productive start to the season but has four points (1 G, 3 A) and 15 shots on goal in his past 13 games.

#11 The Golden Knights appear to be a team on the rise but there is some reason to be cautious with them, too. Chandler Stephenson, for example, has 36 points (10 G, 26 A) in 38 games. That includes seven points (1 G, 6 A) and 12 shots on goal in the past 11 games but that is not the real reason to worry about Stephenson’s production the rest of the way. The bigger concern is what will happen to his ice time once Jack Eichel is ready to play next month. There may be other line shuffling opportunities for the Golden Knights but if Stephenson drops from the top line to make room for Eichel, that could obviously impact his offensive upside.

#12 Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Brady Skjei is experiencing an offensive surge, putting up eight points (4 G, 4 A) and 21 shots on goal in his past six games. That shot rate is very encouraging and Skjei has a chance to have his best offensive output since scoring 39 points as a rookie in 2016-2017.

#13 Calgary Flames defenseman Oliver Kylington had a breakthrough early in the season and was a hot commodity in fantasy circles but is available in more leagues now. He has seven points (1 G, 6 A) in his past 13 games but 33 shots on goal in that time is a decent indicator that Kylington’s production should continue at a reasonably high level.

#14 When Trevor Moore scored 23 points (10 G, 13 A) in 56 games last season, that counted as the best season of his career. The Los Angeles Kings winger then opened this season with zero points in 11 games. Time has brought about new opportunity, though, and Moore is now skating with Phillip Danault and Viktor Arvidsson on the Kings’ second line and Moore has produced 10 points (3 G, 7 A) and 23 shots on goal in the past seven games.

#15 Florida Panthers defenseman Radko Gudas has long been a fantasy sleeper, but it bears repeating that his hit totals can be a major factor. Since the beginning of December, Gudas is averaging 4.2 hits per game, tops among defensemen that have played at least 10 games in that span. (Edmonton’s Markus Niemelainen had 5.1 hits per game in seven games.)

#16 Other defensemen bringing the boom, with the most hits per game since the start of December, include Montreal’s Alexander Romanov (4.1), Vancouver’s Luke Schenn (4.0), Nashville’s Mark Borowiecki (4.0), Columbus’ Andrew Peeke (3.4), and Seattle’s Jeremy Lauzon (3.4).

#17 A prime fantasy category for defensemen is blocked shots and given its nature as a peripheral type of statistic, sometimes it’s an area which might offer some undervalued players. Chicago’s Connor Murphy (3.0 blocks per game), St. Louis’ Colton Parayko (2.9), Vegas’ Brayden McNabb (2.8), and Montreal’s David Savard (2.8) are the per-game blocked shot leaders since the start of December. Savard and Murphy are both averaging more than 2.4 hits per game in that span, too.

#18 Sometimes it can be hard to find goaltending value at this stage of the fantasy season. Usually, the safe and reliable options are taken but short-term value can come from backup goaltenders getting a chance due to injuries. Some of the best backups this season include Anaheim’s Anthony Stolarz (.929 SV%) and Minnesota’s Kaapo Kahkonen (.915 SV%) who have had some opportunity to play a bit more recently.

#19 Dallas’ Jake Oettinger was not a starter at the beginning of the season, but it sure appears that is the path the Stars have now chosen. Oettinger has earned it, with a .923 save percentage in 17 games.

#20 If there is a backup goaltender who might get a shot at the starting role it is Edmonton’s Stuart Skinner. It is possible that the Oilers make a trade for a more established veteran but, if not, 23-year-old Skinner has a .916 save percentage in 10 appearances for the Oilers this season in addition to a .925 save percentage in eight AHL games. Given the struggles of Mikko Koskinen and injury woes plaguing Mike Smith, Skinner might have some potential to steal the starting job. It is at least enough to make him worth monitoring.

Advanced stats via Natural Stat Trick.

NUMBERS AT WORK: Weekly Microstats Highlights and Observations – 11/1/2021

Corey Sznajder — Mon, 01 Nov 2021 15:03:18 +0000

Every Monday, we’re going to take a look at the week that was in the view of microstats. What are microstats? In layman’s terms, they’re stats that are more detailed than what the NHL provides. We know what players are good through shots and Expected Goals, but what are they doing to contribute to that? Are they setting up chances? Generating zone entries? Creating off the rush? Getting the puck out of their zone efficiently? We can explore that with some of these microstats and will do so to kick off every week. Here is a link to some definitions and stats that I track if you want to learn more https://theenergyline.wordpress.com/stats-i-track/

Team of the Week: Calgary Flames

EDMONTON, AB - MARCH 6: Calgary Flames Left Wing Matthew Tkachuk (19) in action in the second period during the Edmonton Oilers game versus the Calgary Flames on March 6, 2021 at Rogers Place in Edmonton, AB. (Photo by Curtis Comeau/Icon Sportswire)

The Flames wreaked havoc on the Metropolitan Division, sweeping a four-game road trip and putting an exclamation mark on it back-to-back shutout wins over Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. Calgary was a tough team to get a gauge on heading into the year. Sure, enough can go right for them to make the playoffs but there wasn’t much to get excited about with the team firmly entrenched in good-but-not-great territory.

Their current win streak is a reminder of how good this team can be when they’re firing on all cylinders, and it all starts with Johnny Gaudreau. The Flames star scored his first two goals of the season this past week and while it was nice for him to find the back of the net, there’s so much more he contributes. His ability to create in transition can change the complexion of the game on a dime and we saw that in their 4-0 win against the Penguins. This was an even game in terms of scoring chances (12-12), but the Flames created five scoring chances off zone entries from Gaudreau and it was basically a short highlight reel of what makes him such a special player.

On his first rush, which also led to his goal, we saw him take a pass from Tkachuk in the defensive zone, make a nifty deflection to get the puck away from the Pittsburgh defender and leave everyone in the dust for a mini-breakaway chance. On other plays we saw his great hands on display, weaving around defenders to setup Tkachuk for a chance and making a quick pivot after gaining the line to setup Dillon Dube for the goal that made it 3-0. Attacking in transition might not be the preferred attack for head coach Darryl Sutter, but some freedom is given to Gaudreau here and it makes Calgary a tough team to matchup with when he is on his game.

Let’s not forget the players getting him the puck in these clips either, most notably defenseman Oliver Kylington. The 2015 second round pick spent most of last season on the taxi squad and is now the go-to partner for Christopher Tanev in Calgary’s top-four. The two have posted very strong underlying numbers since being paired together including a dominant performance against a red hot Flyers team on Saturday night. Part of is due to Kylington’s ability to skate out of pressure, giving Tanev a reliable outlet to exit the zone when retrieving pucks or playing tight against forwards at the line. The pace he brings also gives the Flames a different dynamic to their back-end, which has no shortage of great skaters but not much speed to go with it. Kylington having only two failed exits on 22 puck attempts over the three games tracked this week should also help him earn the trust of the coaching staff as he looks to stay in a high leverage role full-time.

The other player getting Gaudreau the puck in these clips we should focus on is Matthew Tkachuk. Known for being the ultimate pest, Tkachuk earns his keep on the top line with Gaudreau by doing the legwork in the defensive zone, generating 13 zone exits over the three games tracked on 15 attempts. It’s helped free up some space for Gaudreau to cheat for offense if he needs to and get behind the defense. We often think of Tkachuk as a nuisance and a net-front presence, but there is more that comes with playing along the boards than just retrieving dump-ins or mucking things up in front of the goalie. Getting the puck out of your zone and being a reliable outlet for your defense can yield great results when you’re on a line with guys who excel in transition like Gaudreau.

Another thing that you need on a line is a great F3, which is where Elias Lindholm has thrived in Calgary. Lindholm’s always been an interesting player to breakdown because he doesn’t generate much in volume in terms of microstats. His numbers are typically average across the board with him being more efficient with his limited puck touches. With Gaudreau getting most of the puck touches and Tkachuk being the first forechecker on dump-ins, Lindholm will often defer to his linemates and watch where the play goes to jump on loose pucks. Tied for the team lead in goals with seven, Lindholm’s shot will always be his best asset and he is the ideal high forward on a line for what Gaudreau and Tkachuk bring. Their skill and creativity lead to a lot of loose pucks and coverage lapses, so a player with Lindholm’s skill doesn’t need much to take advantage of these situations. We saw a lot of this in Calgary’s win over Philadelphia, with Lindholm contribution to 10 of Calgary’s 5v5 shots, including six secondary assists (a very high mark for a forward).

We’ve seen teams have hot starts before, so it remains to be seen if Calgary can sustain this and be a team that will be around come May. That said, give credit where it’s due. They’ve made the most out of a tough schedule and have a legit first line to go with some strong goaltending from Jacob Markstrom. Being a Sutter coached team, their bottom-nine should be in good shape defensively, which will complement their top line well. The question is whether or not they can get enough depth scoring to keep up with the rest of the division in the coming weeks. They’ve gotten some of that from Andrew Mangiapane, who is stuck on the fourth line even though he has seven goals. Sean Monahan scored his first goal of the season on the power play the other night and Blake Coleman is coming off a strong road trip, so there is room for improvement here. Either way, Calgary’s finds themselves in a great spot at first place in the Pacific through eight games.

Microstats Three Stars:

Nathan MacKinnon vs. Wild (4 shots, 1 chance, 9 setups, 7 primary assists, 6 5v5 zone entries, 5 entries w/ possession, 2 entries leading to chances, 5 zone exits w/ possession, 4 power play shots, 2 power play setups)

MacKinnon’s overall production was a little modest for his standards (only two assists and one scoring chance assist), but his work in transition was on another level in this game. Rewatching the clips was a stark reminder of how much of a low-percentage game hockey is because he could have had a couple more points had it not been for some great saves by Cam Talbot. His speed and explosiveness are usually what makes him such a lethal player in transition. This game was more about his power, as he was knocking over defenders to win the puck or boxing himself out for a better shot. Some of the players on the wrong end of his highlight reel include Joel Eriksson Ek (excellent defender), Jonas Brodin (great defenseman) and Dmitry Kulikov (very strong human).

Thomas Chabot vs. Caps and Stars (9 shots, 3 chances, 8 shot assists, 3 primary assists, 3 chance assists, 10 entries, 2 carries, 4 entries leading to chances, 7 zone exits with possession)

The Sens defenseman had a puck on a string in their wild 7-5 loss to the Capitals last Monday night. One way or another, the play kept coming back to him and he made the most of it by contributing to 17 of Ottawa’s shots. Known more for his breakouts and high workload, Chabot showed how lethal he is offensively, getting a ton of space on the left point and taking advantage of the open ice Washington kept giving him. Acting as the point guard, the power forward and the three-point shooter, Chabot had to wear a lot of hats to get Ottawa back into their shootout with Washington (and he almost did).

Sasha Barkov vs. Detroit (4 shots, 3 chances, 8 shot assists, 4 primary assists, 8 entries, 6 entries w/ possession, 3 entries leading to chances, 2 exits w/ possession)

Sometimes you’ll watch a guy for a couple of shifts and be like “yeah, that’s a good hockey player.” This sums up Sasha Barkov to a T and he had his full highlight reel on display in Friday night’s tilt against Detroit. Two goals, both coming right in front of the crease, rush offense created through hard work and powerful lower body strength and terrific work from behind the goal line to keep plays alive. It didn’t always result in quality chances, but the sustained possession wears teams down and created favorable shifts for the second and third lines. A good example is the zone exit Barkov created by winning the puck along the boards to setup a chance for Sam Bennett, who changed for him later in the shift. Barkov is one of those players who doesn’t need a lot of puck touches to be effective, but he is borderline impossible to matchup against when he takes the wheel like this.

What’s Wrong With….?

VANCOUVER, BC - OCTOBER 26: Minnesota Wild left wing Kirill Kaprizov (97) skates up ice during their NHL game against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena on October 26, 2021 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Derek Cain/Icon Sportswire)

Kirill Kaprizov

Kirill has not provided much thrill for Wild fans (or fantasy hockey players) in this first month, notching only six assists and posting some troubling underlying stats to boot. Now, when a player is slumping the first thing everyone does is look to see if he’s getting chances. With microstats, we can look at it further to see what else they are doing to contributing even if it isn’t showing up on the scoresheet. What does this mean for Kaprizov’s underwhelming start?

With him, it’s tough to figure out because he’s averaging about three shots per game and still getting his assists, which should mean things are fine. The problem is where the shots are coming from, mostly from the perimeter. However, this isn’t anything new for him and what made him such a lethal player last year was how he could create on his own and score from distance (especially in the high slot). He’s also versatile in that he can score off the rush and on sustained offense, the latter being where he’s the most dangerous. Watching his game against Colorado, he can still create his own space in the neutral zone (six carries on nine attempts), but the passing options aren’t there. Nor are the second and third opportunities.

There are a lot of solo rushes and plays that either die off a missed point shot or Kaprizov having to create on his own from not having much help around him. Some of that might relate to linemates, as both Joel Eriksson Ek and Marcus Foligno are good players, but they do their damage from in front of the net, so it might be easier for defenders to focus on Kaprizov if the two of them are going to the same area. Getting Mats Zuccarello back in the lineup could solve some of the Wild’s problems here, but it looks like a fixable problem in the long run. Part of Kaprizov’s game is still there, which is being able to create space through the neutral zone and that should lead to more points for him. The goal-scoring issue, however, could be more of a problem, as him shooting at 17% like he did in his rookie year is tough to sustain for anyone.

Rookie Watch:

Connor McMichael

We all know Trevor Zegras, Lucas Raymond and Moritz Seider, so I wanted to give a shoutout to an under the radar rookie, Connor McMichael, who has looked excellent playing on Washington’s second line with TJ Oshie and Anthony Mantha. The production hasn’t been there for the kid yet, but all signs point to a breakout with him being second on the team in scoring chances at 5v5 and third in chance setups. He has also been one of their more opportunistic players on zone entries, with the Caps generating a chance on 33% of his entries. He’s been setup well, playing an offensive role with good linemates so it will be interesting to see if he can sustain it with Oshie sidelined for a while.

AHL Notebook: Pacific Division – Separating contenders from pretenders

Tom Dorsa — Sat, 08 Dec 2018 15:51:59 +0000

November is always a key month in pro hockey. As the leaves are falling and eggnog hits the shelves, it is in this month that you begin to see which teams are for real, with the contenders starting to separate themselves from the pretenders.

Additionally, you see the solidification of prospects with hot starts. Around this time in the schedule, players with hot starts either cool down or continue their torrid pace for the rest of the season, and we see -- along with the teams -- which prospects are ahead of the developmental course.

Such is the case in the AHL's Pacific Division, where the seven teams are starting to experience some drop-off in the standings and their top prospects are either flourishing or flunking. Though sample sizes are smaller in a division wherein they play eight fewer games than the rest of the AHL, early conclusions can be made on some things.

Let's take a look at how some notable prospects are doing with their Pacific Division teams.

San Jose Barracuda

A lack of size was supposed to be a death sentence for Jayden Halbgewachs, but the winger has made it into a strong suit and something he incorporates into an already dynamic game. He uses his small frame to squeeze past defenders along the wall, which helps an already formidable puck-protection game.

Ranked 12th in the McKeen's yearbook preseason ranking of the San Jose system, the 21-year-old has been a key asset for the Barracuda on the team's top line and first power play unit. His six goals and six assists in 18 games are good for second on the team in point scoring, and he's doing it with his blazing wrist shot and great positioning away from the puck. Not bad for an undrafted free agent signing.

Halbgewachs' linemate with the Barracuda, center Maxim Letunov, has been just as good to this point. The Russian has comfortably played all three forward positions in the top-six, but has settled into centering a line with Halbgewachs on the wing.

Letunov is playing both sides of special teams and has taken his defensive game to another level this season, becoming a two-way guy. The 10th-ranked prospect in the S.J. system, Letunov has superb vision, strong physical play, and a heavy release, which he has used to his advantage in scoring 11 points (5G-6A) in the first 19 games. The former second-rounder has been considered for a recall to the Sharks.

Tucson Roadrunners

Maybe the biggest story in the organization as of recent times is the trade that sent away Tucson's leading scorer from last year, Dylan Strome. However, among those who still call the Coyotes’ organization home, Conor Garland is filling in quite nicely. A force on offense at all times, Garland has finally learned how to play with a style that fits his slight body (5-8", 165 lbs).

Rather than playing with dump-ins and trying to let his wheels do everything for him, the former fifth-rounder is carrying the puck into the zone and making things happen off the rush more often than last season. A power play weapon on account of his surprisingly heavy shot, the 22-year-old has become more versatile on offense through his improved decision-making.

The 18th-ranked prospect in the yearbook ranking of the Arizona prospect system, Garland was twice the leading scorer in the CHL but that offensive prowess had not yet translated to the pro ranks. This year, he leads the Roadrunners with 19 points (8G-11A) through 18 games, and it was announced in early December that he would be joining the Coyotes via recall.

Hudson Fasching (16th) is enjoying somewhat of a renaissance as a prospect, with 13 points (6G-7A) in 19 games, while Canadian World Junior Classic hero Tyler Steenbergen has struggled some, with a goal and six assists to his name in 15 pro games.

Colorado Eagles

We cannot say enough about Martin Kaut. Though it was announced he will soon depart from the Eagles and join the Czech Republic's World Junior Classic selection roster, Kaut (4th in Avalanche prospect system) has performed unbelievably well as a 19-year-old in the second-best professional league in the world. Drafted 16th overall in June's NHL Draft, he has four goals and seven assists through the first 21 games of his pro career.

His smarts have translated flawlessly from overseas to Colorado, as he has been a top-six setup man since the outset of the season. He doesn't have superior speed, but he uses his powerful strides to get up to speed well and his smarts to facilitate like a seasoned veteran. It is such a rare thing to have a 19-year-old who can take over a game any time they take the ice, and Kaut is that.

Someone with a far different road is Eagles forward A.J. Greer, whose 19 points in 18 games (8G-11A) give him a career-high points pace early on. Greer was a heralded prospect in the system when Colorado took him at 35th overall in 2015, but inconsistencies plauged his development until now.

Greer is using his legs to create havoc in the offensive zone by hustling for loose pucks, beating defenders to dangerous spots in one-on-one situations, and setting the pace for his line.

Stockton Heat

TUCSON, AZ - DECEMBER 23: Stockton Heat defenseman Oliver Kylington (4) controls the puck during a hockey game between the Stockton Heat and Tucson Roadrunners on December 23, 2017, at Tucson Convention Center in Tucson, AZ. Stockton Heat defeats Tucson Roadrunners 2-1. (Photo by Jacob Snow/Icon Sportswire)

Oliver Kylington came into the 2018-19 season with a lot to prove, and his results through November are promising. The 2015 second-rounder has had no problem creating offense for the Heat in all situations, mostly from a more assertive mindset that incentivizes carry-ins and clean zone exits.

Kylington (10th) has earned a recall to Calgary amid injuries on their blueline by virtue of his seven goals and seven assists in 18 AHL games this season. Kylington has gone scoreless in four NHL games, but has played effectively in a small role.

Two formerly heralded prospects are experiencing re-births as decent, potentially NHL-caliber pupils: 2013 first-rounders Kerby Rychel (18th) and Curtis Lazar (ineligible). As two of the Heat's three leading scorers, Rychel and Lazar have combined for 18 goals, 18 assists, and 36 points in 23 games. The two play somewhat similiar styles and have meshed well together as a line in Stockton's top six.

Two of the most noteworthy and promising goaltending prospects in the game, Jon Gillies (5th) and Tyler Parsons (8th), have struggled mightily this season. Each netminder has a goals against average above four, while relatively unheralded 21-year-old Nick Schnieder has stolen the crease away. Gillies and Parsons are a combined 5-9-1 this season.

Ontario Reign

VANCOUVER, BC - NOVEMBER 27: Los Angeles Kings Goalie Cal Petersen (40) makes a save during their NHL game against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena on November 27, 2018 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Los Angeles won 2-1 in overtime. (Photo by Derek Cain/Icon Sportswire)

If you follow NCAA hockey, this will not be breaking news to you, but Sheldon Rempal can play. As Ontario's leading scorer despite having missed a good chunk of the season to an NHL stint, Rempal has eight goals and 12 assists in just 14 games early on. The Calgary native was named AHL Rookie of the Month for November for his efforts.

Rempal (12th) plays with a physical edge for an undersized forward, taking defenders one-on-one against the boards and protecting the puck masterfully in the open ice. His wrist shot is a solid one and a producer of several of his goals, but he is more of a passer, and has exhibited his skillful visionary assets this season.

Goaltender Cal Petersen's AHL success led to an NHL recall, where the 24-year-old Notre Dame product has played incredibly thus far. In nine games for the last-place Los Angeles Kings, Petersen (6th) has been as stable as any goalie in their system, going 4-4-0 with a 2.41 GAA and .929 SV%.

Bakersfield Condors

EDMONTON, AB - SEPTEMBER 7: Tyler Benson #49 of the Edmonton Oilers (Photo by Andy Devlin/NHLI via Getty Images)

To the surprise of nobody, left winger Tyler Benson is a dangerous player at full health. Though injuries have derailed his career up to this point, the former second-rounder is seemingly at 100% through the first two months of the season and has played accordingly with the Condors.

Benson's 16 points (3G-13A-16P) lead Bakersfield in scoring, as his deft puck skills and wonderful hands are setting up linemates routinely. He has helped form a lethal scoring line with fellow top prospects Cooper Marody and Kailer Yamamoto, with Benson (4th) being the main facilitator and puck carrier of the three.

Defenseman Caleb Jones is coming into his own. He has the raw skating speed and vision to make anything happen, but his decision-making held him back last season, as he was occasionally a healthy scratch despite being one of the team's most interesting players. Jones (14th) has a high ceiling and one that has come further to fruition with the two goals and 10 assists he boasts.

He is also playing the right side despite being a left-handed shooter, which helps tremendously in Edmonton's evaluation of the player.

San Diego Gulls

With some of the most creative and flashy prospects in the AHL, the Gulls should be better than their early-season results indicate, but at the very least, the Ducks' top prospects are playing well. Troy Terry's first pro season has gotten off to a picture-perfect beginning, as the American World Junior legend leads the team in points with 17 (8G-9A) through 15 games.

Terry (3rd) is looking to be an absolute steal for a fifth-round pick, as his phenomenal puck-handling tactics and sneaky but lethal wrist-shooting technique have been on full display. Not only is he a creative player, but he is a confident player, and one who is willing to try crazy stuff at all times.

Sam Steel (1st) has not been as effective, but also has a far different role. Though Steel's game is best when the center has the room to skate and set his teammates up, he has been deployed mostly as a defensive center, absorbing many D-zone draws. However, the 20-year-old has scored eight points (4G-4A) in 11 games after making the Ducks roster out of training camp and later being sent down.

Nonetheless, Anaheim has an aging center core and Steel is looking primed to take the spot of a top-sixer eventually. Considering the Ducks acquired the draft pick that nabbed Steel in exchange for the redundant Frederik Andersen two years ago, it has already become a win for Anaheim.

Calgary Flames Prospect System Overview

Tom Dorsa — Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:26:35 +0000

With the trade that sent Dougie Hamilton and Michael Ferland to Carolina, the retirement of fan-favorite Jarome Iginla, and the departure of Adam Fox -- the second-ranked prospect on the McKeen's list last season -- the offseason was equal parts difficult and eventful for fans of the Calgary Flames. Luckily enough, the aforementioned Hamilton trade executed at the NHL Draft proved to supporters that management is ready to win, which is a welcome sight in the prime talent window of league superstars Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan.

Signing top-six winger James Neal was another step in the right direction. But, as other franchises have proved, trying with all your might to win in a selected time frame can drain the depth of your farm system just like that. With late-round draft picks moved away and the inevitable trades of prospects for deadline rentals, farm system depth can dwindle in the blink of an eye.

Regardless, the Flames have -- especially from the blueline back -- a stout core of NHL-ready prospects prepared to make a difference in Calgary. If the goal in Cowtown is to compete for a Stanley Cup right now, it's clear the incoming farmhands will be able to provide support for their stars. The Flames are kind of unorthodox in their drafting methods, choosing high ceiling defenders and goaltenders over serviceable forwards.

Most teams, especially in the size-dominated Pacific Division, will build their team from the forwards down, hoping to use heavy forwards to dominate offensively and not have to worry much about preventing goals. Calgary may have caught lightning in a bottle in their defensive prospect core (Juuso Valimaki, Rasmus Andersson, Oliver Kylington) and also have two potential number-one goaltenders (Jon Gillies, Tyler Parsons) cooking in the minors. Not many other franchises can say the same, especially inside of Calgary's division.

What is really impressive about the Calgary farm system is its Western Hockey League presence. With Valimaki, Dillon Dube, Matthew Phillips, Glenn Gawdin, and others, it shows that the Flames know the importance of good scouting even in, essentially, their own backyard. Nabbing guys comfortable with the environment and the regional culture will help mightily in reaching the postseason again.

Juuso Valimaki

1 Juuso Valimaki, D (16th overall, 2017. Last year: 1st) Calgary's 2017 first-rounder was taken primarily because of his size and defensive-zone play. After his last two seasons in the WHL, the point-per-game two-way defender has evidently rounded his game out to new degrees. Possessing otherworldly pure skill and NHL-ready rink senses, it was only a matter of time before the top Flames prospect reached his potential. He's a strong skater who doesn't shy away from physicality at every opportunity, and has already proven that he's ready to take the next step.

2 Dillon Dube, C (56th overall, 2016. Last year: 7th) Seen before his electric 2017-18 season as mostly a third-line, rough-and-tumble guy, Dillon Dube lit the Kelowna Rockets roster up with offensive capabilities that he had not previously shown. The captain of Team Canada at the World Junior Championship, Dube plays with an infectious energy and hustle but also has impressive offensive refinement, including great puck senses, tremendous acceleration, and an ever-improving variety of shot tools. His rink vision and use of his linemates still needs improvement, but the undersized forward is improving in that regard.

3 Andrew Mangiapane, LW (166th overall, 2015. Last year: 11th) Andrew Mangiapane was a no-risk, potentially high-reward player out of the OHL in 2015, and now the Flames are getting a massive return on their investment. An offensive catalyst at Barrie, Mangiapane has carried that same production into the AHL, but he's doing it differently. His skating lags, and therefore his finesse game is where his value sprouts; Mangiapane is an intense and versatile player with plus vision and a rapid shot. He could be a solid, above-average bottom-six winger in the NHL, and do it now.

4 Rasmus Andersson, D (53rd overall, 2015. Last year: 9th) From the same draft and from the same junior team as Mangiapane, Rasmus Andersson is part of that Grade A defensive prospect core we mentioned in the intro. Andersson is a puck-moving dynamo, and the AHL All-Star uses his uber-fast hands and exceptional vision to play that way, coupling his puck play with a splendid shot. Andersson is relatively short, but packs a punch in his checking and can take a beating to make a play. He could be a much better skater given his agility and quick feet, but his stockiness holds him back.

Jon Gillies

5 Jon Gillies, G (75th overall, 2012. Last year: 6th) They say it takes goaltenders a little longer to develop. Jon Gillies, a 24-year-old drafted back in 2012, is a good example of that, and why it can be worth it in the end. At 6-6", Gillies is able to use his length and big frame to leave shooters little to aim at. He always stays square to shooters and has a very reflexive, athletic style for someone his size. His short NHL stint last season left a lot to be desired, but he's been dynamite at the AHL level for a franchise that really needs a goalie to take the reigns.

6 Matthew Phillips, C (166th overall, 2016. Last year: 17th) Standing at 5-7", Matthew Phillips will always be a player who has to prove he belongs, regardless of where or how he's performing. Luckily for the prolific scoring center, this is the club that made Johnny Gaudreau a superstar. Philllips is a wonderful skater, has a blazing shot with more weight behind it than someone his size would normally be able to generate, and possesses remarkable vision for playmaking. After a 112-point season in the WHL, Phillips is proving -- as someone heavily overlooked in his draft year -- that he's a pro-caliber player and will make the jump this season.

7 Spencer Foo, RW (UDFA: Jul. 1. 2017. Last year: 4th) An undrafted college winger, Spencer Foo chose to turn pro with the Flames organization and instantly made an impact at the AHL level with Stockton. Foo's great speed and creativity with the puck makes him difficult to defend when he enters the offensive zone, and his plus strength and puck-shielding abilities for his size make him hard to take off the puck. He's got a natural knack for compiling points, but needs to work on his defensive game. Otherwise, he's mature enough to compete in the NHL right now.

8 Tyler Parsons, G (54th overall, 2016. Last year: 5th) One of the top goaltending prospects in hockey, Tyler Parsons is insanely athletic, a naturally intense competitor, and has smarts that go beyond his years. The 2017 WJC Gold Medalist is not a fundamentally refined netminder, but that's the beauty of his game; he's a master scrambler with Dominik Hasek-like freeranging reflexes. His size is below average and his gameplay style doesn't help him appear bigger, but his speed, reflexes, and play-reading capabilities are enough to compensate for the exciting young gun.

9 Glenn Gawdin, C (UFA: Nov. 16, 2017. Last year: IE) After Gawdin's draft team, the Blues, left the dynamic WHL pivot unsigned, the Flames found a diamond in the rough when they invited the Swift Current Bronco to development camp and later inked him to an Entry Level contract. What they get is a silky smooth offensive center with skating agility, a fantastic shot, and a gift for making plays happen from scratch. The only concern is if his point totals are natural or inflated due to talent on his line (Tyler Steenbergen and Aleksi Heponiemi), but we'll find out with a top-six AHL role coming in 2018-19.

Oliver Kylington

10 Oliver Kylington, D (60th overall, 2015. Last year: 8th) A smooth-skating offensive defenseman, Oliver Kylington fell on draft boards in 2015 and landed with the Flames. In a system rich with defensemen, he has been just fine, finishing his third year with AHL Stockton and now looking primed to compete for a job in Calgary this season. He skates supremely well, shows flashes of puck-moving brilliance and is generally reliable in that facet of the game. He also has a wicked shot that seemingly always ends up on goal. He needs to put the "defense" in "defenseman," though, but has gotten increasingly better off the puck over his AHL career.

11 Yasin Ehliz, RW (UDFA: Jun. 11, 2018. Last year: IE) A star on Germany's silver medal team from the Pyeongchang Olympics, Ehliz signed with the Flames this offseason for his first taste of North American hockey. The 25-year-old is a relatively unknown prospect on this side of the Atlantic, but combines solid rink senses, a good shot, and a tricky separation gear with a pretty strong upper-body for his size (5-10", 165 lbs). His size is against him, and adjusting to the smaller ice size in the U.S. and Canada could be a challenge without an imposing physical stance, but the Flames -- and Stockton, his likely destination -- are excited to see him play. His versatility will also help him to find a role in the North American game.

12 Milos Roman, C (122nd overall, 2018. Last year: IE) One of three fourth-round picks from June's NHL Draft, Milos Romas has perhaps the biggest upside. He is a strong skater with great technical refinement and a very responsible player defensively, but his greatest asset is his immense playmaking skillset; his vision is insane and his passes are always on the money. He is not overly fast or physical, making him lack in the most dynamic facets of the game, but he projects to be a bottom-six forward with playmaking upside. His NHL potential is likely contingent on upping his game in one of those two areas.

13 Adam Ruzicka, C (109th overall, 2017. Last year: 14th) Adam Ruzicka's most glaring issue last season, which caused his draft stock to plummet to the fourth round, was a lack of consistency. He's always had game, but in 2017-18, it appears he found the balance that had previously eluded him. His size makes him difficult to defend one-on-one and around the corners, but his blazing power skating is even more impressive given his 6-4" frame. He can snipe with his quick wrist shot release and use his disparity in size to shield the puck off in possession efforts. There's a lot to like about his game, and it seems like he's putting it all together.

14 Dmitri Zavgorodny, LW (198th overall, 2018. Last year: IE) Dmitri Zavgorodny is 5-9" and extremely inconsistent, and neither fact helped his draft case last June. When he's on his game, though, his scoring ability and speed are on full display and can make an impact for any club. Zavgorodny can play all three forward spots effectively, has solid skating speed, is very crafty and resourceful with the puck, and has a nice wrist shot. He is a player with a lot of room to grow in a Flames system that has made something out of nothing quite often. In any case, it is more likely for a player to develop into consistency than it is to suddenly sprout high end skills.

Linus Lindstrom

15 Linus Lindstrom, C (96th overall, 2016. Last year: 20th) Revered for his smarts and instincts, Lindstrom is a very responsible two-way center who plays a bunch of shorthanded minutes in Sweden, sacrifices his body for gameplay advantages, and hustles for loose pucks while never giving up on a play. Lindstrom has only produced 10 points in 91 games in the SHL despite promising puck skills however, and his technical skills lag severely. Perhaps he could play a lockdown fourth-line center role similar to fellow Swede Marcus Kruger in the pro ranks. There are still rough tools lurking within the former fourth rounder, but it is time for him to make them count in play.

16 Morgan Klimchuk, LW (28th overall, 2013. Last year: 16th) The book on Morgan Klimchuk is still not out. Maybe he isn't first-round material after all, but his game has taken major strides down in Stockton and he'll make a difference with the Flames soon enough. At his core, he is a lethal shooter with good vision for his teammates in the offensive zone, he plays with a lot of effort, and has power-play triggerman capabilities. The 2013 draftee's game is about as rounded out to its ceiling as it is likely to get, and if Calgary management is confident enough in his development, the winger could be a full-time Flame this season even if his ceiling is not what they had once thought.

17 Kerby Rychel, LW/RW (Trade: Aug. 20, 2018 [Montreal]. Last year: 13^th [Toronto]) A former first round pick with Columbus in 2013, Rychel was considered a potentially impactful power forward who could bring some of the toughness from his father Warren’s game along with good hands and offensive instincts. A scaled up Max Domi, if you will. In the five seasons since he went 19^th overall, his star has dimmed considerably, and Rychel is now a prospect journeyman, having passed through the Columbus, Toronto and Montreal organizations on his way to Calgary for another disappointing former first rounder. Rychel still has a power game, and has been relatively productive at the AHL level, but attitude questions, and sludgy startup speed, he has only appeared in four NHL games in the past two seasons. Calgary might be his last big chance.

18 Josh Healey, D (UDFA: Mar. 25, 2017. Last year: 19th) Where Kylington is a risky defenseman with a very high potential ceiling, Josh Healey is an extremely safe option. He has close to no offensive skill in the context of the professional game, but does a lot of little things in his own zone, stays very calm with and without the puck, and became a staple on the Stockton Heat penalty skill this season. He maintains great gaps, works hard to keep his man to the outside, and has good enough wheels to avoid getting burnt by speedier forwards. He is a low-ceiling defenseman in a system with better options, but he is reliable and mature, traits which could help him leap past more talented rivals for NHL jobs.

19 Zach Fischer, RW (140th overall, 2017. Last year: Unranked) Drafted as an overager in 2017, Fischer was a no-risk, decent potential pick out of the WHL solely based on his size and toughness. He has room to grow around that 6-2", 207 lbs frame and has shown flashes of physical brilliance in protecting the puck with his body, using finesse moves to get past defenders, and nailing opposing skaters with open ice hits. He takes far too many silly penalties for any pro coach to trust him as he is, but his heavy wrist shot and physical skillset in a system with no solid RW depth has those around the Flames left with raised eyebrows.

20 D'Artagnan Joly, RW (171st overall, 2017. Last year: Unranked) Coming off a career-best season the QMJHL with a pretty mediocre Baie-Comeau squad, D'Artagnan Joly is like Fischer in that, despite being a long-term project, you have to keep an eye on him as a natural RW in a system with few dynamic ones. Joly boasts an interesting mix between a finesse and a hustle/speed game, given his lanky body, and can assert himself physically in a number of ways. He has a hard wrist shot but more of a pass-first mentality, and his passes are crisp but his vision is slow. As he continues to grow, the Flames will keep themselves posted.

AHL: Oliver Kylington (Stockton – Calgary)

Tom Dorsa — Mon, 08 Jan 2018 21:47:15 +0000

As a 20 year old Oliver Kylington is playing in his third AHL season. That experience will serve him well if he can round out his game apart from his offensive ability. Tom Dorsa provides a detailed report below and points out where Kylington will need to improve to move up in a very deep defensive system in Calgary.

A note on the 20-80 scale used below. We look at five attributes (skating, shooting, puck skills, hockey IQ and physicality) for skaters and six for goalies (athleticism/quickness, compete/temperament, vision/play reading, technique/style, rebound control and puck handling). Each individual attribute is graded along the 20-80 scales, which includes half-grades. The idea is that a projection of 50 in a given attribute meant that our observer believed that the player could get to roughly NHL average at that attribute at maturity.

Oliver Kylington	2015 Draft (60th - Calgary Flames)
Position D, Shoots L	H/W: 6-0" 185 lbs
Stats to date (GP-G-A-Pts-PIM)	Stockton Heat, AHL (29-2-15-17-10)

Skating: Kylington is a fluid skater. His technique is solid, he stops and starts well, and his first two-step acceleration - from a rolling start and a full stop - is great. Skates backwards well with good edgework. Exceptional at keeping his momentum when shifting from side to side, as his lateral mobility is a key attribute. Long and rapid strides, needs just two or three to get to full speed. Skates like a 6’0" defenseman should; plays athletically and speedily. Grade: 60.

Shot: Great one-timer with lots of lift and robust accuracy. Takes a pretty heavy amount of slap shots and hits the net often, meaning the confidence within his shot is there. Kylington also has a weirdly-angled wrist shot that he takes lower than most players, which is hard to pick up for goaltenders. Stellar lift and accuracy on his wrister, which is more lethal with the odd angle. Grade: 55.

Skills: Kylington is extremely elusive and productive with the puck on his stick. His hands are around average, but what he does with them matters most; his passes are useful and accurate, while his up-ice carries generally result in offensive-zone pressure. Shot generation is a plus. He makes for a talented and efficient power play quarterback. Protects the puck well with his stick. Grade: 55

Smarts: Due to his desires to pinch often and play an offensive game at all times, Kylington can be left out of place a lot. It is fair to say he plays a little too offensive at times. He tends to follow the puck well and be patient in the defensive zone, but he does not play much penalty kill, which speaks to his defensive inadequacies. Has good gaps and uses his skates well defensively to deter forwards, but just seems generally nonchalant on D. Grade: 45

Physicality: Kylington is not the biggest player in the game, but he plays pretty well from a physical standpoint. He matches an opposing player’s size well when behind the goal, decking puck-carriers or shoving them off somehow. Not great at clearing the crease out, but blocks shots effectively. Open ice hits are a rarity, but will lock up a defender around the glass. Grade: 45

Summary: Oliver Kylington is the modern, 21st century defenseman. He skates well, has a wicked, refined shot, and utilizes some nifty passes combined with great vision. His identity and gameplay needs to put the "defense" in defenseman, however. His defensive play will have to improve mightily for Kylington to have an impact on an already stacked Calgary Flames D unit. Overall, the Flames fell on a player that fell down the 2015 draft rankings and might strike gold in the near future if he can round out his game. He is an offensive mastermind who has been tearing it up this year with lesser defensive partners, but needs to amp his game up and not get left behind in an organizational depth chart that features Juuso Valimaki and Rasmus Andersson. Kylington has a 40-point ceiling to him as an NHLer.

Calgary – System Overview

Ryan Wagman — Thu, 14 Sep 2017 20:51:11 +0000

Goaltending is, for many analysts, the last black box of player scouting and evaluation. Goalies that look great at 18 all too often fizzle out before they are 23. Goalies to whom no one gave a second thought at 18 sometimes end up as the best of all. For every Carey Price (5th overall, 2005), there is a Henrik Lundqvist (205th overall, 2000). For every Roberto Luongo (4th overall, 1997), there is a Pekka Rinne (258th overall in his third year of eligibility, 2004). The Pittsburgh Penguins were also well schooled in this phenomenon, as Marc-Andre Fleury (1st overall, 2003), was supplanted in the postseason, in two consecutive seasons, by Matt Murray (83rd overall, 2012).

To combat this general uncertainty, teams have a few different approaches. Some teams largely neglect goalies on draft day and subsequently stock their organization with free agents and/or late round flyers. The Anaheim Ducks, San Jose Sharks and the Edmonton Oilers are examples of this approach. The Dallas Stars were, too, until flipping that on its head with one of their first round picks this year.

Some teams make a point of adding a goalie or two every year, essentially hoping to throw a lot of “stuff” on the wall until something sticks. The Toronto Maple Leafs having taken that approach of late, as have the Winnipeg Jets and the Colorado Avalanche. If none work out, the team can always fill the NHL slots with veteran pickups and continue to throw darts.

Other teams take a similar approach, buying in bulk, but with more of an emphasis on using premium picks on goalies. Again, they will generally not work out, but at least the team will know that they gave it their best shot. The New York Islanders have four netminders in their system that they selected in the top four rounds. The Flyers are extremists, with three third rounders and two second rounders vying for future time in the crease. And there are the Flames, with a third rounder and two second rounders in the system as well as two others signed as high profile undrafted free agents.

The Flames are approaching the time where these prospects will be put to the test. While they acquired two NHL veterans in the offseason, presumed starter Mike Smith has two years left on his contract, while Eddie Lack is in the final season of his. Thankfully, of the five young goalies in the system, two rank very highly and two others were also under consideration for the top 20. This is not to say that when an opportunity arises one of Jon Gillies or Tyler Parsons will be tapped for it, or that they would succeed if they were, but it does reflect some foresight on the part of the Flames’ brass, taking higher calculated gambles on young netminders when there was an expected need at the NHL level in the near future.

Juuso Valimaki of the Tri-City Americans.

1 Juuso Valimaki – Calgary’s most recent first round pick is two-way defender who combines a high skill level with effectiveness in his own end. Already possessing and NHL-sized frame, Valimaki is a strong skater and is not shy about playing in a physical style in all zones. With two full seasons of WHL play already in his rearview mirror, Valimaki has more than proven that he can succeed at a high level in North America and there may be more room to round out his game before rising to the NHL.

2 Adam Fox – A dynamic blueliner with the USNTDP when the Flames nabbed him with a third round pick in the 2016 draft and that has quickly been elevated into one of the steals of that draft class. He is a first-rate offensive blueliner who can both lead or support the rush. His stickhandling is near elite among his fellow defensemen. He was the runaway leader among all NCAA defensemen in points with 40 – as a freshman. If he was anywhere but Harvard, he would likely already have signed an ELC.

3 Mark Jankowksi – It is not often that a first round draft pick spends a full four years playing college hockey before turning pro, but Jankowski was one such creature. After four years with Providence, a run which included an NCAA title in his junior year, Jankowski was more than ready for the AHL, with 56 points good for second among rookies in the league. He has plus acceleration, very nice hand-eye coordination and dangerous hands. Looks NHL ready.

4 Spencer Foo – An undrafted winger from Edmonton, Foo blew up in his junior season at Union College and elected to turn pro instead of completing his NCAA eligibility, which also meant passing up on the chance to team up with younger brother Parker. He has high end top speed, combined with plus acceleration. Tricky with the puck, he goes right at defenders, forcing them to react. Possesses surprising strength from an average-sized body.

Tyler Parsons of the London Knights. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

5 Tyler Parsons – One of the most athletic netminders not yet in the NHL, Parsons is unbelievably competitive. He does not play with a traditional technical style, but is a master scrambler, which, when combined with his below average (by modern standards) size, will bring Dominik Hasek to mind, at least stylistically. He is incredibly difficult to beat down low and gets post to post with great quickness. As a late birthday, he is eligible to move on to the AHL this year.

6 Jon Gillies – A college teammate’s of Jankowski at Providence, Gillies was reunited with the big center last year in Stockton. Coming off a miserable rookie pro season, limited to seven games due to injury, is well stays square to the shooter, with controlled lateral movements. Has long legs that he uses well and is skilled at hugging the posts, leaving shooters little to aim at.

7 Dillon Dube – A hustler with some offensive chops, Dube plays an aggressive style of game that is well suited to a third line, energy type role as a professional. While he gets to top speed quickly, his best attribute is his hockey sense, particularly away from the puck. Not very big, he is feisty and is not at all averse to playing in the dirty areas. Still tends to try to do too much on his own, either not looking to his linemates, or misreading their intentions.

8 Oliver Kylington – The most divisive prospect in the Flames system, the Swedish-born blueliner has elite speed but suffers from a chronic inability to read opposing forwards and thus gets caught out of position with frequency. To his credit, he has spent the past two seasons playing as a teenager in the AHL, a very, very rare occurrence. He also showed much improvement in his ability to creative drives with his speed and puck movement. He is still a wildcard, although getting closer to the NHL.

HELSINKI, FINLAND - JANUARY 2: Sweden's Rasmus Asplund #18 stickhandles the puck away from Slovakia's Filip Lestan #27 during quarterfinal round action at the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship. (Photo by Matt Zambonin/HHOF-IIHF Images)

9 Rasmus Andersson – Short but stocky, Andersson had a solid rookie pro season with Stockton after acclimating to the North American game for two years with Barrie. Although not a speedster, his skating has improved noticeably since his draft year. While he has a nice wrist shot that he will step up from the point to fire on net, his puck play is more impressive. Adequate in his own end with decent positioning and instincts. Not a physical player, per se, but his checks pack punch.

10 Hunter Shinkaruk – A former first round pick of the Vancouver Canucks, Shinkaruk has established himself as a solid secondary scorer after three AHL seasons. He has speed to spare, with strong puck skills and enough of a shot to be a threat. Although undersized, he has some chip to his game, as he shows no fear of going into the corners for loose pucks against bigger opponents. He has little left to prove in the AHL and is ready for a more extended NHL look.

11 Andrew Mangiapane – Yet another point producer coming off a strong rookie season in the AHL, Mangiapane was drafted by the Flames in his second year of eligibility after putting up 104 points for a competitive Barrie squad. He was even better the following year, with two more points in nine fewer games. He plays bigger than his size, but being very small, that says only so much. He has plus offensive vision and his success will be predicated on his production.

12 Daniel Pribyl – One of two players, along with netminder David Rittich, signed by the Flames out of the Czech hockey last offseason, Pribyl’s first season in North America was marred by injury, but he showed sparks of the talent the Calgary hoped it was getting when he was healthy. He sees the ice very well, provides strong puck pressure in the neutral and offensive zones and puts his heavy frame to good use. He will not be a top six player, but can play in a lower role.

13 Emile Poirier – One of three players selected by Calgary in the 2013 first round, Poirier has had the roughest career to date of the trio. In three pro seasons, his point production has steadily dropped from 42 points, to 29 and down to 17 (albeit in only 43 games) last year. A few weeks ago, he admitted to struggling with addiction issues. If his personal problems are being taken care of, his speed and offensive talent may finally shine through. The context is worth giving him another chance to live up to his potential.

Adam Ruzicka of the Sarnia Sting. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

14 Adam Ruzicka – In a good day, Ruzicka can be a dominant player, using his size, skating and puck skills to run roughshod over his opponents. He has a quick shot release and can snipe with his wrister. The reason why he lasted on the draft board until the fourth round and sits at #14 on this list is that those good days do not come around often enough. He was a no-show in the WJC and in the OHL playoffs, although hinted at his talent once more in the WU18. He can make us all look stupid.

15 Brett Kulak – After splitting last season between Calgary and Stockton, Kulak barely qualifies for this list. He has decent size, good mobility and plays a physical brand of hockey. These are all fine things. On the down side, he makes questionable decisions both on and off the puck and is not a threat when he winds up to fire a shot from the point. He is what he is: a decent option for a team to have as its seventh defenseman.

16 Morgan Klimchuk – Along with Poirier and Sean Monahan, Klimchuk completes the Flames’ three first round picks from the 2013 draft. After a horrid first AHL season, Klimchuck rebounded nicely last year, with 43 points in 66 games. He has a nice blend of offensive skills, including solid drive, decent vision and passing skills and a promising shot release. There does not yet seem to be room for him in Calgary, but it is too early to call him a bust.

17 Matthew Phillips – It is fitting that the organization that turned Johnny Gaudreau into a star would take a chance on a WHL powerhouse who is only 5-7”, 160. That’s right, Phillips has to look up to Gaudreau. An offensive powerhouse with Victoria of the WHL, he skates well and has plus puck skills. Although he scored 87 goals in the last two seasons, he is a better playmaker than shooter. He will have to prove he belongs at every new level.

18 Rushan Rafikov – Finally getting his career going in the KHL, Rafikov’s team, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl recently signed him to a two year extension. Projects at around average in all facets of the game, with only his shot peaking clearly above that line. With Calgary rather stocked on the blueline, both in the NHL and below, he is probably going to develop further with a bigger role in Russia for now. Consider this ranking a “forget-me-not”.

19 Josh Healey – The other NCAA free agent signing made by Calgary this offseason, the Edmonton native played for four years at Ohio State, increasing his point production each year (5->9->21->25). Very comfortable carrying the puck up the ice, he is a solid skater with a high panic threshold. He could stand to play with more urgency, but performs well in his own zone, working to keep his man to the outside. He does not have a high ceiling, but is fairly safe as prospects go.

20 Linus Lindstrom – Considered a smart two-way center in his draft year, Lindstrom struggled mightily to produce even a fraction of the offense in the SHL as he did in SuperElit, finishing the year with only six points in 50 games for Skelleftea. He still flashes promising puck skills and ability to read the play in all three zones, but his skating is average at best and his shot and physical game are both below that mark.

Although the system’s depth of talented goaltenders earns top billing here, with seven defensemen in the top 20, including both of the top two, Calgary should be strong at the back for years to come. And that is without even addressing the fact that the Flames have a top five at the NHL level (Giordano, Hamilton, Brodie, Hamonic, and Stone) that rivals any other team in the league. As they are all locked up for at least three more years, the team can afford to be patient with their next generation.

NHL Prospect Watch: Calgary Flames

Ryan Wagman — Tue, 17 May 2016 22:57:15 +0000

After a pretty disappointing season for their AHL team, the Calgary Flames can rest more easily knowing that three of the top prospects in the system were not yet at the minor pro level. We won’t spend too much time discussing Andrew Mangiapane, a steal of a sixth rounder last summer. While undersized, Mangiapane plays a big game, coupling puck skills, a high hockey IQ and tenacity that should leave Flames’ execs satisfied that he will not shy from the tighter game in the pros. As he was drafted in his second year of eligibility, Mangiapane is already 20 years old and is signed to his ELC. He will join Stockton next year coming off two straight 100 point seasons for Barrie.

Mark Jankowksi, C, Providence (NCAA) (21^st overall, 2012)

A surprise first rounder when drafted in 2012, Jankowski spent the full four years playing for Providence, a period of time which included an NCAA championship in his junior season. Never an elite scorer, Jankowski nevertheless shows a robust tool set that suggests an ability to produce as a professional. He has filled out his frame during his collegiate career and while still lean, there is enough strength to remain effective. That said, he will not be a physical player.

The Hamilton native is comfortable on the cycle and has strong hands which allow him to maintain puck control even when the opposing defenders are keyed on him and pressuring him. Beyond strength, his hands are also rather quick and soft. He can corral misplaced passes that would be giveaways when given to inferior players and quickly turn those pucks towards the net with some zip. Speaking of zip, Jankowski’s top attribute is his shot. He has a high end release, able to get elevation, power and placement from a single touch. He sees shooting lanes well, excelling at getting the puck through screens and on the net. He is also a plus skater with good edge work and strong top speed. While his hands are soft, he is not the type to dazzle with creative puck wizardry, but he does handle it well, and as alluded to before, he is trustworthy as a puck carrier. Jankowski turned pro shortly after the conclusion of his senior year and gave the Flames brass hope for the future with six points in his first eight AHL games at the tail end of the Stockton season. While Jankowski is a natural center, he has plenty of experience at left wing and that is his clearest path to the NHL. He would benefit from a full (or near full) season in the AHL to ensure his pace has acclimated, but profiles as a potential second line winger sooner than later.

Brandon Hickey, D, Boston University (NCAA) (64^th overall, 2014)

A disappointing sophomore season for the BU Terriers aside, Brandon Hickey remains a mobile rearguard who should be firmly in the Flames plans for the near future. From the Edmonton suburb of Leduc, Hickey was scouted out of the Spruce Grove program in the AJHL. His freshman season with BU was tremendous with 17 points in 41 games, lining up with another elite prospect in Jack Eichel. With the Terriers unable to replace Eichel (no collegiate program could) Hickey’s offensive numbers suffered, dropping to eight points in 36 games. On the bright side, he gained some attention from Hockey Canada – a relative rarity among collegians – and was selected to represent his country during the WJC.

Hickey’s best attribute is his ability to lead a rush. A plus skater, he can pick a lane to exit his own zone and eat up ice on his way to the other side. His passes are crisp and he is not averse to letting one of his teammates make the zone entry when a better lane exists. His slap shot is great and his wrist shot is strong enough to suggest a solid point man down the line. Unlike many teenaged offensive blueliners, Hickey is also an asset off the puck. He keeps tight gaps on his opponents and maintains an active stick, both to strip pucks as well as to serve as an outlet for teammates who have already won the puck. He can be physical as well, although he is short of punishing. He would need to pack on 15-20 more pounds to reach that level. As of this writing, Hickey has not signed an ELC, and it is likely that he will return to BU for a third season. If his production can return to the levels of his freshman campaign, he will likely turn pro next summer. It says here that he will exceed those figures and compete for a spot on the Calgary blueline for the 2017-18 season. A number two defender is not out of the question, but it is more likely that he settles in as a solid option for the second pairing, contributing on both ends of the ice.

Adam Ollas Mattsson, D, Djurgarden (SHL) (175^th overall, 2014)

Unfortunately for AOM and the Flames, the young blueliner missed a good chunk of the season with injury, masking what had otherwise been a year of steps forward for the hulking teenager. A prominent member of Sweden’s entry at the World Juniors until the aforementioned injury hit him early in the medal round. Very much a defensive defenseman, he can nonetheless move the puck well and showed during the big tournament that he can join the rush as a puck carrier.

For the most part, though, this will not be a D-man who will ever earn much if any time on the power play. He will earn penalty killing shifts and appeal to his coaches through his willingness to step in front of slap shots. He spent most of his healthy days this year playing in the SHL, but his role in the men’s league was relatively minor, indicating that he would have been better off developing for one more year in the SuperElit (Sweden’s top junior league). At year’s end, he was healthy for the junior playoffs and was at times a dominating force, according to Hockey Prospectus author Jimmy Hamrin. Although rather far from being NHL-ready, Ollas Mattsson has the upside of a shutdown defender with a good first pass.

Oliver Kylington, D, Stockton (AHL) (60^th overall, 2015)

Another Swedish blueliner in the system, the slight Kylington may be the single highest upside player of any position in the Calgary organization. Like Ollas Mattsson profiled above, Kylington played with men as a teenager, in Kylington’s case, with Stockton of the AHL. Playing with adults is nothing new for the blazing skater, as he has appeared in SHL games at the age of 16. As can be expected with any teenager in the AHL, Kylington underwent significant growing pains this year, as partially seen in his meagre total of 12 points in 47 games.

Somewhat undersized at 6-0”, 183, Kylington does not look to have the frame to get much broader. That said, according to Hockey Prospectus Jason Lewis (who assisted with the reports of many of the AHL players in this system), he does not play down to his size and will happily engage with opposing forwards in front of his own net. He is not very effective yet in that regards, but he has not yet been a pushover. In fact, he has generally shown positive traits in his own end, with good positioning, and an understanding of how to use his stick to defend. He can also keep very tight gap control, as his skating prowess means that he will rarely be beaten with speed alone. He can be an offensive asset, and I would expect far greater numbers in the AHL next year (he is definitely not yet ready for a full-time NHL gig), as he can handle the puck and is electric when leading the rush, but he needs to show more creativity and better vision for lines of attack before he will have earned the type of trust that comes with top four minutes. Another area in need of improvement is in transition. While his hockey sense is good enough at times, he needs to do a better job of anticipating occasions of the puck going back the other way and prepare to defend, instead of chasing after lost causes or poorly considered pinches. Considering his age and his natural skating ability, along with the league’s move towards mobility over brawn, and it is easy to see why the Flames braintrust would be excited about his future. As long as they are patient, they should be rewarded.

Patrick Sieloff, D, Stockton (AHL) (42^nd overall, 2012)

Originally drafted out of the USNTDP with a reputation as a bruiser, Sieloff finished his junior career with the Windsor Spitfires before joining the Flames organization. Unfortunately, the Ann Arbor native missed most of his rookie pro season, and a good chunk of his follow up attempt to injury. Finally relatively healthy, Sieloff took big strides forward this year, cutting back on his penalty minutes significantly and even earned a late-season, one game call-up to Calgary, scoring his first goal in the process.

Although less reckless, Sieloff is still a very aggressive defenseman, always on the lookout for a big hit. He is a plus skater who lacks in puck skills, but will join the rush thanks more to his strong first step quickness and acceleration than to his offensive ability. His shot is decent from closer distances, but is not much of a weapon from the point. Like Ollas Mattsson, Sieloff will not be an offensive defenseman going forward, but unlike the other blueliners profiled above, he is close to ready for an NHL job and should tempt the new Flames bench boss – whoever that is – to push one of Dennis Wideman or Ladislav Smid out of the lineup. He does need to hone his instincts a bit more, like more young defensemen, learning when to channel his aggressiveness and when to make a more conservative decision, but there is reason to believe that Sieloff is ready to break into the regular six.

Emile Poirier, LW/RW, Stockton (AHL) (22^nd overall, 2013)

When I referred to a disappointing season in Stockton in the introduction, Poirier was one of the main culprits leading to that assessment. A former first round pick, Poirier’s production dropped nearly fifty percent form his rookie AHL season to his follow-up, going from 42 points in 55 games, to 29 points in 60 games this year. He was good enough last year to rank in Hockey Prospectus’ top 100 prospect list (#90), he is now at risk of falling out of the top ten for Calgary.

Oddly enough, in spite of diminished offensive returns, the part of the game wherein Poirier struggled most this year was in his own zone, as he would fall into the trap of puck watching and simply floating aimlessly. He still showed good offensive sense, anticipating openings well and is a plus stickhandler with a decent wrist shot up his sleeve. Thankfully for his future prospects, the Montreal native is still a tough customer who has a bit of nasty to his game. If his offensive acumen does not return, that truculence (don’t forget that the Flames’ president is Brian Burke) will earn him some chances to win an energy role. He would be above average in that role, but it would be a disappointment, as he had shown much more in the past.

Hunter Shinkaruk, LW, Stockton (AHL) (24^th overall, 2013, acquired in a trade with Vancouver for Markus Granlund)

Acquired by Calgary in an under-the-radar trade from Vancouver, for whom he had fallen out of favor as a first rounder from a previous regime, Shinkaruk has the potential to emerge as a bright spot from an otherwise dismal season. A former high-end scorer in the WHL, he took big strides forward in his second full AHL season, raising his offensive production from 34 points in 71 games with Utica last year to a combined 51 points in 62 games this year between Utica and Stockton as well as three points in eight NHL games between Vancouver and Calgary.

Fitting an underlying theme of the prospects profiled here, Shinkaruk has some chip to his game, which enhances his underlying skill. He is a good skater with solid first step quickness and a nose for the puck. He can be elusive when skating with the puck and is comfortable carrying the mail from his own zone to the other end. The Calgary native is a weapon on the rush whether passing to an open teammate or taking the shot himself. Although still undersized (5-11”, 181), he is unlikely to get much bigger, so the decision on his immediate future should be based on his hockey readiness, instead of physical preparedness. Barring a big offseason acquisition, he could find himself with an opportunity to win a second line job in the Fall.

Young Stars Tournament Review – Penticton, B.C., September 11th – 14th

Andrew Levangie — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 19:00:16 +0000

The hype was real and McDavid skated. When the dust settled and the people could focus on other players not wearing number 97, this year was a year for progress and for debuts at the Young Stars tournament. After sitting out with injuries last year Canucks fans got to see Jake Virtanen and Jared McCann, even if they missed out on college bound Brock Boeser. Flames fans can rejoice as Sam Bennett picked up right where he left off and the first showing for OHL defenseman Rasmus Andersson was as strong as anyone who skated for them in a while. With a loaded Jets squad stepping up and finally giving their team something to cheer about in their last game of the weekend, with disappointing starts from Josh Morrissey, Nick Petan, and Nik Ehlers. However, their lackadaisical play allowed for a big weekend from goaltender prospect Connor Hellebuyck and gave CHL import player Michael Spacek a place to make a name. Enjoy some prospect updates on some of your favorite players, and some not so well known guys who are taking steps in the right direction.

Winnipeg Jets

Michael Spacek- LW/RW

The Czech national was an instant stand out on a lacklustre Jets team, a responsible player who is aware of roaming defenders and offering back up. Skates with a purpose in a powerful head first manner showing a tenacious ability to pursue loose pucks and an aggressive rusher when carrying in transition, shows poise and confidence with the puck and protects well. An import pick of Red Deer, his showing should put him on the map sooner than later as a force not to be taken lightly in the WHL. He will be depended on for offense and should become more of household name as they build toward the Memorial Cup.

Ryan Olsen – C

Word from Winnipeg media was that Olsen had adjusted his off-season training and it has appeared to pay off. A quicker skater than he had previously shown in the WH, with a noticeable pick up in his first 3-4 strides. A knack for breaking up plays and grinding down low, making life very difficult on his opponents. Had some offensive chances that were created out of hard work and strong puck pursuit. His positioning and defending are strong and doesn’t give up any easy plays. Positioned himself up the depth charts and could one day fill a solid bottom six role.

Josh Morrissey – LD

As always skating and passing were on display but its time to see the “next step” and must build pro habits into his game on a regular basis. He has a tendency to skate himself into trouble by moving into positions that limit him options for outlets and skating lanes, needs to drive the play at defenders more often and remain unpredictable. Jaws at other teams in an unnecessary way that makes it look like its more important than playing. Shot is as good as ever from the blue line in, picks shooting lanes with precise accuracy and controls the zone very well both at even strength and with the man advantage. Delivered a glimpse of what could be during 3-on-3 OT - a place he should thrive. All in all a disappointing weekend for Morrissey despite some glimpses of his best in the last game. He will need to take a spot on the Jets to be a full time player, but likely bound for the AHL until he plays with the switch on every shift.

Marcus Karlstrom- RD

Tall and rangy with a long reach and a skinny frame, Karlstrom plays a quiet game with a skilled efficiency. Holds a wide stance and edges well, while remaining fluid in his stride, although could get lower and really drive the puck forward. Small, skilled plays open options for him, especially when clearing the zone and looking for options up ice. Outlet passes are well above average and might be the his biggest strength. Reads off partner well, makes himself available as an option by adjusting his position to be open, especially as a hang back option when a rush fails. Showed ability to plays both side of the ice and both special teams. Certainly a project player with a need to fill out and get stronger, but shows a good intelligence for the game and is worth keeping an eye on.

Calgary Flames

Sam Bennett – C

Its always as advertised with Bennett, everything about him was strong this throughout the tournament and he looks poised to make a strong run at Flames camp this year,and not only make the team, but be a significant contributor. Up to 6’1 and 190lbs his work ethic is putting him in a place to withstand the rigors of the NHL season. He battled and dished out the body contact with ease and pursued the puck like a bulldog, not taking a shift off this tournament. Precise multi-directional skating and blistering wrist shot were both on display along with his heads up passing ability. People are focused on the names Eichel and McDavid, but at the end of the season if Bennett finishes as the top rookie it should not shock anyone. 11 NHL playoff games were a learning experience and a major building block toward a successful career.

Rasmus Andersson - LD

Plays the game with pace and looks like a bit of steal at 53^rd overall in 2015, helps to pad the already loaded defensive depth of the Flames. Doesn’t seem interested in letting any opponent define the pace of the game, looking to lead and be a catalyst, and can be heard talking and communicating throughout the all three zones, helping direct the play. Work ethic is on display when defending, with no problem taking it to players of all sizes, not backing down from a battle. Strong reads on the offensive blue line with a ripping shot and a quarterback mindset - smart short plays open space to make quick plays in an up tempo fashion. Owns a strong IQ and instincts for the game with good habits. Easily the best Flames defender in this tournament, and should be a standout in the OHL this year with all the tools to be a pro.

Oliver Kylington - LD

The slick skating defenseman, who fell quite low to 60th on draft day ,after being ranked all over the board, is certainly a work in progress. Something the Flames can work with based on their depth on the backend, there is some raw skill there, but Kylington would be best served heading to the WHL for more Junior level development. His speed was on display at times showing a strong puck rushing ability, quickly driving up ice and giving defenders some fits in transition. In his own end he looks confused at times, unsure of positioning and unwilling to compete with forwards in front of the net or deep along the boards. Can be tentative and rush his decisions when other players are closing on him, leading to poor decisions and turnovers. Showed he is adept at controlling the offensive blue line and flashed some quality instincts with man advantage. Would be well served on a stacked Brandon team for a long playoff run under Brad McCrimmon.

Andrew Mangiapane – LW

Flames may have found a diamond in the rough, after seeing a kid like this play I have no idea how 30 NHL teams passed on him so many times, unless you favor size above all. Soft, soft hands were on display for the Barrie product during the Youngstars. Drew first line duties in the games he played and did not look out of place, important part is he could keep up his when making plays and showed a knack for creating either a shot or offering up a good pass. Uses his head well to look off defenders. Offensive numbers more than doubled in his second OHL season and Calgary would be smart to let him dominate and see if he can continue a strong development curve.

Edmonton Oilers

Leon Draisaitl – C

Lined up at center for this tournament, was a little overshadowed by McDavid in his first game, something he’ll have to get used too. Saw a few habits in his game that were still apparent in junior hockey and will need to be ironed out before he becomes an everyday pro. Often remains stationary on the half boards and telegraphs with his eyes, needs to move his feet more often and learn to look off defenders to become less predictable. Passing ability is pro level and dazzles off the rush with precision. Known as a pass-first guy, he can certainly fire a quick and powerful wrist shot - as he continues to develop he’ll need to keep defenders guessing by respecting his passing. Looked more motivated as the weekend drew on and he was the main option for Oilers offence. The pace of his skating is good and the game slows down around him, acceleration is still not great and becoming more explosive would help his game. Should bounce between AHL and the NHL this year as he’s now a pro from here on out.

Alexis Loiseau – C

One of the most competitive players to touch the ice all weekend, immediately standing out with strong skating ability and bulldog mentality for loose pucks and the front of the net. Some players have a knack for making thing happen, and you get that feeling when you key in on Loiseau - who is looking like great poster boy for the late bloomer tagline. Not viewed out of place much, he owns a high hockey IQ, which helps his drive to create by thinking and not over playing. Surprising ability to finish had five points in the last game of the weekend, the Oilers maybe have found someone who can create some needed depth in the AHL this year. He can provide a chippy bottom six forward with some offensive upside that earns every inch of ice for his team.

Vancouver Canucks

Jake Virtanen – RW

Not many players make you feel their presence like Virtanen. The always tough to play against winger is a pain, with his nuisance style of play and strong ability to body check the opposition in a ferocious manner. Brings a high energy level, always going hard and competing shift to shift, often targeting the oppositions best players. Packs a powerful shot that holds weight and wants to go through the goalie instead of picking a corner, but it must be respected. Slightly underrated as a passer as it important to guard his shot. Considered a new-age power forward, a battler that skates hard and grinds it out in front of the net and would look good as a complement to skilled players. Possesses the potential to be a marquee member of the Canucks youth movement and could one day find himself on a line with the Sedin twins as the perfect fit for one touch scoring chances and taking some of the defensive focus off them. He will need to brush up on his defensive zone play but has the physical tools and speed to challenge for the big club

Hunter Shinkaruk - LW/C

Shinkaruk always leaves you looking for a little more. His development seems to have stalled slightly even, with his health concerns behind him and a season of AHL hockey under his belt. He still seems plagued with trying to do too much and playing himself into trouble instead of consistently looking for teammates and creating chemistry. Watching him play you can tell he wants the puck and wants to make plays, but he still looks tentative at times making his way to the front of the net for dirty scoring chances - while the perfect play doesn’t always happen. Has a great shot but often settles for a low percentage shooting area. Skating is good, but doesn’t seem to have progressed greatly from junior, as a smaller player he needs a high-end separation gear to create openings. Must have a productive AHL year and put his tools into action to show some progress, players are passing him on the depth charts and his chances could be running out.

Brendan Gaunce - LW

Looking to be a fixture on the left wing Gaunce has shifted from the middle ice and appears to have taken a stride forward in his development. Chalked with NHL size at 6’3 and 213 lbs, his biggest question mark was his skating and he has made strides in this area, appearing more fluid with stronger pivots and directional changes. Quickness is developing, allowing for a good push getting up ice and into the soft offensive areas for a dart and attack offensive. Responsible in his own end he doesn’t make it easy to play against him, showing a strong defensive acumen. Plays a two-way game and can work to shut down top line players, often enjoys the challenge of playing against high end forwards and taking away their time and space. Looks good carrying the puck, aids in moving the flow of play up ice, shows intelligence when making decisions and making pays with the puck. Progressing as a viable option for the big club, looks to be responsible player that will chip in offensively and make the smart play instead of the easy play

2015 NHL Draft Guide: Top 5 Skaters

Grant McCagg — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 19:03:52 +0000

Best Skater

Ranking five prospects as this draft's finest skaters is no easy task as there are a dozen or more excellent ones, but it's even more difficult to proclaim one as the clear cut best.

Just like when it comes to the draft rankings, several scouts mentioned both Jack Eichel and Connor McDavid as standing out above the rest, One head scout suggested McDavid, only to change his mind and then say Eichel...finally concluding that they could be 1A and 1B. We agree.

"Eichel is the big stud with the powerful stride and speed, while McDavid has extra gears that you rarely see in a player...Pavel Bure gears," said an eastern conference scout.

Senyshyn gets up and down the wing as quickly as anyone in the OHL, while Hanifan and Kylington are what's often referred to as "natural skaters", smooth and effortless.