Rory Kerins – McKeen's Hockey

MCKEEN’S 2025-26 NHL YEARBOOK – CALGARY FLAMES – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #13

Thu, 02 Oct 2025 20:39:55 +0000

Prospect System Ranking – 13th (May 2025 - 11th)
GM: Craig Conroy Hired: May 2023
COACH: Ryan Huska Hired: June 2023

The Calgary Flames continue to benefit from the impact of a stellar 2024 draft, which injected 10 new prospects into the system—four of whom landed in McKeen’s top 200. Even with a slight dip in our rankings, Calgary’s pipeline remains one of the strongest assets in GM Craig Conroy’s rebuild, combining high-end talent with promising depth.

Leading the charge is Zayne Parekh, the first OHL defenseman in over a decade to hit the 100-point mark, a feat last achieved by Ryan Ellis. Parekh capped his draft-plus-one season with a one-game NHL call-up, scoring his first goal on a net-front deflection. Ranked fifth among McKeen’s defensive prospects, the dynamic right-handed blueliner looks poised for a prolific NHL career.

The 2025 draft brought further reinforcements, with Calgary adding two significant pieces to its prospect core: Cullen Potter and Cole Reschny, who now sit second and third in the organizational rankings behind Parekh.

The AHL’s Calgary Wranglers are teeming with talent ready to challenge for NHL jobs. Rory Kerins, William Strömgren, Jeremie Poirier, Samuel Honzek, and Hunter Brzustewicz all made notable strides, with Kerins, Honzek, and Brzustewicz already getting NHL minutes.

In junior, Jacob Battaglia broke out with a 90-point season in 68 games for the Kingston Frontenacs (OHL), cementing himself as a forward on the rise. Meanwhile, 2024 second-rounder Andrew Basha looked primed for a breakout WHL season before injuries slowed his draft-plus-one campaign.

With Parekh nearing NHL readiness, multiple AHLers pushing for roster spots, and a steady stream of junior standouts on the horizon, the Flames’ prospect system remains a cornerstone of their rebuild. If Conroy can continue to balance patient development with timely opportunities, Calgary could see its next competitive window arrive sooner than expected.

Calgary Flames Top-15 Prospects

1 - Zayne Parekh

The first OHL defender to hit the 100-point mark since Ryan Ellis did over a decade ago. That’s a pretty significant accomplishment, especially when you consider all the talent that has passed through Ontario during that time. It’s a testament to Parekh’s skill and vision. Few control the offensive blueline the way that he does. In the same way that Lane Hutson has taken the NHL by storm with Montreal, Parekh consistently creates offence; he routinely escapes pressure to get pucks on net or to the middle of the ice thanks to the way his feet work in sync with his hands. Parekh has taken a positive step forward as a defensive player too. He’ll never be mistaken for Chris Chelios, but he’s worked hard to become tougher to play against and he only needs to be passable in the defensive end given what he can do with the puck. No offence to Mackenzie Weegar or Rasmus Andersson, but this is Calgary’s power play quarterback sooner, rather than later.

2 - Cullen Potter

Fewer prospects were more fun to watch than Arizona State’s Cullen Potter this past season. Bursting on the NCAA scene with his exhilarating speed, stick skill, and shot, Potter proved his doubters wrong and had a successful freshman year in college despite his size. Due to the role he filled on the Sun Devils’ power play and in transition on five-on-five, Potter will only see an increase in points and overall offensive power in a bigger role in Tempe next season. Combining all of his offensive upside with his relentless motor in all three zones of the ice, we had no choice but to rank him as the Flames’ second-best prospect, notably ahead of Cole Reschny, who was drafted ahead of him. When talking about his NHL upside, it is imperative to bring up that Cullen Potter is just a shade under 5-foot-10, so it will be more of an uphill climb for him to be a mainstay in Calgary. There will also need to be some rounding out in his offensive game, specifically in his passing game. However, after examining the full package, Cullen Potter looks like a potentially special prospect for the up-and-coming Calgary Flames.

3 - Cole Reschny

The newest top prospect in the organization's pipeline, Reschny made all kinds of sense as Calgary's target with their first pick in the 2025 draft. Not only is he a true center, which filled the biggest hole that the organization had in their prospect pipeline, his high character and blue collar, rural, Western Canadian roots fit the identity of what they’re trying to build. There were some questions about him starting to bubble up in the scouting community after a slower start than expected last season, but he silenced all critics with a phenomenal finish as Victoria’s go-to forward. After two impressive seasons in the WHL it's a smart choice by him to now be heading to the NCAA, especially when you consider that all the extra training time should help him improve his skating ability, which would then in turn allow him to unlock another level to his game. There's a lot to like about Reschny, and he should be a core piece of the Flames roster in due time.

4 - Samuel Honzek

This season was the most relatively healthy that Honzek was able to stay over the last few years, and that's probably the most important 2024-25 takeaway for him. Despite what his modest point totals thus far in his career might suggest, his toolbox is overflowing: he has size, he skates well, he can shoot, he can handle the puck, and he can make plays at a high level. More willingness to engage physically would be preferred but isn’t a necessity. The challenge has always been that he needed more time and experience than other top prospects to get better at blending everything together, especially when he was starting to get regular reps playing center instead of wing, and those long-term plans have been repeatedly disrupted by injuries. Luckily for the Flames, they have accumulated enough young depth at forward that they can afford to be patient with Honzek while hoping that everything eventually starts to click for him sooner or later.

5 - Matvei Gridin

After being selected 28th overall by the Calgary Flames in the 2024 NHL Draft, Matvei Gridin left the USHL to join the Shawinigan Cataractes in the QMJHL. In his debut season, he posted 79 points in 56 games, ranking fifth in league scoring and first on his team. Gridin was also able to tally 17 points in 16 playoff games, leading the Cataractes once again. Unfortunately, his team lost to the Oceanic in an intense seven game series. The Russian winger has been one of the QMJHL’s most dominant players, showing why the Flames used a first-round pick on him. Gridin is a highly talented and flashy player, especially when carrying the puck at speed. Standing at 6-foot-2 and with ridiculous top speed, puck abilities and offensive tools, Gridin brings a complete offensive potential. That said, as he progresses in his career, he will need to find other ways to be an efficient player, especially off the puck. Improving this while maintaining his special offensive talent could turn him into a solid middle six winger. Having signed his entry level contract, Gridin could see AHL time as early as next season.

6 - Hunter Brzustewicz

The Flames were flush with promising young left-shot defencemen in the AHL this season, which made it easier for the right-shooting Brzustewicz to play important minutes. And it's not like he didn't earn that ice time, either. Much like when he was playing with Kitchener in the OHL, he did a great job for the Wranglers as a confident, heads-up defender who could safely protect the puck while also opening things up offensively from the attack blueline. His strong play even led to him making his NHL debut, which was also fully earned. While he's not nearly as effective without the puck, stemming from his average size and average mobility, he has made a lot of progress throughout his first year as a pro and things are clearly trending in the right direction on that front. Expect Brzustewicz to play a bigger role in the organization next season, which could also include more call-up duty to the NHL.

7 - Jacob Battaglia

Calgary’s 2024 selections out of Ontario look terrific thus far, with Battaglia being another player who took a huge step forward this past season. The big winger is such an intelligent player. Few players are as good as he is at working the wall in the OHL and he has the playmaking chops to take advantage of the extra time he creates through his protection skill. His pace of play really improved too, although his power and speed will need to continue to improve in order for him to be as dynamic at the higher levels. It’s important to note that Battaglia should not be miscast as a power forward, despite his size. Physicality isn’t likely to ever be a huge part of his game; he’s more of a high IQ, finesse player who just happens to have the size to be an asset down low and in the cycle. At this point, Battaglia’s improvement as an offensive player suggests that he could be capable of being a top six support winger for Calgary in the future.

8 - Henry Mews

Perhaps lost in the Zayne Parekh hype was the outstanding draft plus one year that Henry Mews had in the OHL, split between Ottawa and Sudbury. Mews finished the year third in defenceman scoring and second in power play assists. He’s dynamic and talented in his own right and has the potential to be a great option behind Parekh in the future, as a puck mover and power play quarterback. In a perfect world, both defenders can slot into Calgary’s top four, paired with more stable defensive players. Like Parekh, Mews plays a higher risk offensive game that can come with turnovers; it’s a tradeoff you have to live with. However, like Parekh, he has worked hard to be more assertive physically this year and his play in his own end has been more stable because of it. Refining his decision making further is a need, but Calgary has to be happy with his progress thus far. Taking advantage of the new eligibility rules, Mews will play for the Michigan Wolverines next year, hoping that the NCAA can help him refine his defensive abilities.

9 - Étienne Morin

Étienne Morin was the first defenceman drafted out of the QMJHL in 2023, at 48 overall by the Calgary Flames. In his draft year, he tallied 72 points in 67 games, ranking third among QMJHL defencemen and tying for first on his team. He was also able to score 17 points in 12 games in the playoffs. Since then, Morin’s production has dipped below a point-per-game pace in consecutive seasons. While his game has rounded out, it is surprising to see that such a talented offensive defenceman has not ran through the QMJHL, given his heavy usage on a strong Moncton team. His defensive game, especially the breakouts and the decision making, has developed, as he was relied upon a ton by the Wildcats in their dominant season, but visibly at the expense of his offence. Questions remain about his physical game, and the skating and mobility concerns noted in his draft year are still present. Morin will likely play in the AHL next season, and a lot of questions will be answered regarding his projection for the rest of his career. Morin will need to rekindle his offensive spark from his draft year going forward, as ultimately, he is an offensive defenceman.

10 - Andrew Basha

It surely must have been a frustrating year for Basha, who missed the majority of his season due to injury. On the bright side, he did get back into the lineup just in time to help Medicine Hat clinch their WHL title and take part in the Memorial Cup, though he was clearly not fully healthy for any of those games. To some degree, bangs and bruises come with the territory of his game. He plays fast and hard, with a fiery focus and intense competitiveness that few others can match. The real appeal with him, though, is how well he can still handle the puck and make plays when he's zooming around the ice with pace and purpose. Despite the health setback, Basha will likely force his way up to the NHL eventually in some capacity, and the homegrown Calgarian has what it takes to become a local fan favourite. He’s eligible to play in the AHL for2025-26 but could also go back to the Tigers for his overage season if it’s deemed to be the best thing for his long-term development.

11 - Aydar Suniev

Suniev is a skilled playmaker with an electrifying quality about him thanks to his heavy shot and passing ability. Having now spent two years in the NCAA, where he was above a point per game in his final season, he’ll now make the jump to the AHL to refine his overall game. The Flames may have a diamond in the rough if he can refine his overall game.

12 - William Stromgren

Stromgren is a deft stickhandler that possesses a hard shot, often breaking down defenders one-on-one in the AHL. He has the size, mobility, and skill to potentially crack an NHL top six, but his quickness will need to continue to improve. Entering his third pro season in North America, he will look to crack the Flames’ lineup out of camp.

13 - Jeremie Poirier

Poirier is a physically strong puck moving defenseman. Although not the fleetest of foot, he uses smart angles and his larger frame to win puck battles and track oncoming attackers. In addition, he can aggressively seek out offensive chances. With three AHL seasons now under his belt, he seems poised to challenge for NHL duty in the near future, but how well he adjusts to the NHL speed will ultimately determine his upside there.

14 - Rory Kerins

Kerins is a scrappy forward who isn’t afraid to go to the dirty areas, often battling through traffic and contact to find a close-range chance. With 33 goals in the AHL last season, the question now becomes whether he can translate that production to the NHL level. Now entering his fourth pro season, he could be primed to make the leap to Calgary.

15 - Luke Misa

Misa is a quick and crafty forward coming off two strong seasons in the OHL where he put up 80-plus points. He’s headed to Penn State in the fall, where he’ll have an opportunity to build on his under-sized frame. He could be a guy that carves out a career as a high IQ depth forward with some skill, with upside to play above that.

2025 NHL PROSPECTS REPORT: #11 Calgary Flames – Top 15 NHL Affiliated Prospects

Wed, 28 May 2025 12:23:23 +0000

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 17: Calgary Flames Defenseman Zayne Parekh (89) takes his “Rookie Lap” before his first NHL game between the Los Angeles Kings versus the Calgary Flames on April 17th, 2025, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Rob Curtis/Icon Sportswire)

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Calgary 25 Prospects

NHL: DADOUN – THE FANTASY WEEK AHEAD – Nashville Resurgence, Rantanen traded to Carolina, plus much more – Favourable schedules and players to target

McKeen's Hockey — Sat, 25 Jan 2025 15:16:30 +0000

NASHVILLE, TN - JANUARY 16: Nashville Predators forward Jonathan Marchessault (81) is shown during the NHL game between the Nashville Predators and Chicago Blackhawks, held on January 16, 2025, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Danny Murphy/Icon Sportswire)

The best stories in sports are the comebacks that happen after a team has been written off. Two examples that spring to mind from recent history are the 2014-15 Ottawa Senators, who were 22-23-10 after a loss Feb. 16, putting them 10 points behind in the playoff race, only to go 21-3-3 the rest of the way to narrowly secure a postseason berth. Another is the 2018-19 St. Louis Blues, who were 16-19-4 on Jan. 5, which placed them last in the Western Conference, before going 29-9-5 the rest of the way to not only make the playoffs but win the Stanley Cup.

Is it possible we’ll have another one of those stories this year? Those stories are memorable because they’re rare, and you only need to look at the absurd records they needed down the stretch to illustrate why. Due in no small part to the consolation point for overtime/shootout losses, the standings tend to look closer than they truly are because closing even a small point gap is difficult.

That said, I can’t help but look at the Nashville Predators and wonder if there is still some hope. It’s probably a foolish thing to think and a take that will age like milk, but after a 7-16-6 start, Nashville began to stabilize and now the team seems to have hit its stride with its current five-game winning streak. The Predators are still just 18-22-7, so they’d have basically have to go the rest of the season without any more noteworthy slumps, but part of the reason that such a feat even seems remotely possible is because the veteran leadership that seemed lost in the early part of the season has settled in.

Steven Stamkos has 10 goals and 19 points across his past 19 appearances while Jonathan Marchessault has 10 goals and 26 points over the same 19-game span. They were signed over the summer to provide that kind of offense but were initially written off as poor decisions by GM Barry Trotz due to their extremely poor start to the campaign. Now it seems they were judged too harshly.

When you couple their success with Filip Forsberg (18 goals, 47 points), elite defenseman Roman Josi (nine goals, 35 points) and veteran center Ryan O'Reilly (13 goals, 27 points), you have a fairly strong offense, especially if any of Gustav Nyquist, Tommy Novak or Luke Evangelista (lower body) start to hit their stride. As it is, Nashville has ranked second in goals per game (3.47) dating back to Dec. 10. That’s in stark contrast to the Predators’ first 28 games where they were last in the league in that scoring category (2.18).

You could call this just a hot streak for the offense, and there’s probably an element of that, but given that we’re talking about players of this caliber, it might be something at least somewhat sustainable.

It’s not all rosy, though. The X-Factor is surprisingly goaltending. Ottawa’s run involved journeyman goaltender Andrew Hammond standing on his head, and the Blues got a similar story out of rookie Jordan Binnington.

Nashville shouldn’t need someone to come out of nowhere to shut down the opposing offense. The Predators already have Juuse Saros, who not that long ago was seen as one of the best goaltenders of this generation. This campaign, though, he’s struggled with an 11-18-6 record, 2.81 GAA and .901 save percentage in 36 appearances. Unlike the offense, Saros hasn’t stepped up -- he's 2-2-0 with a 3.42 GAA and an .860 save percentage across his past five outings.

That’s led to Justus Annunen starting a bit more often lately, but while the backup netminder has won his past four starts, he’s been inconsistent, allowing 10 goals on 105 shots (.905 save percentage) over that span.

Let’s assume Nashville needs a 95-point season to make the playoffs. That wouldn’t have been good enough last year, but for the sake of argument, let’s just pretend that’s what’s needed. Nashville would need another 52 points across its final 35 games, so for example, 26-9-0, or say, 23-6-6. Even a top-tier offense is unlikely to get them that kind of record down the stretch. Some of that’s going to have to come from the goalies stealing games, so until Saros or Annunen start heating up, it’s hard to imagine the comeback happening.

That said, if Stamkos and Marchessault could find their way back from unflattering starts, perhaps Saros can too?

Calgary Flames (Tue vs WAS, Thu vs ANA, Sat vs DET, Sun @ SEA)

Calgary wasn’t seen as a major contender going into the campaign. In fact, there was an argument to be made that the Flames would regress from their 38-39-5 record last season after trading away goaltender Jacob Markstrom over the summer. However, we’re clear past the halfway point of 2024-25 now, and the Flames are very much in the playoff race. The weakness for the Flames is they’ve struggled on the road (8-10-4), but they won’t have to concern themselves with that in the upcoming week. They’ll host the Capitals, Ducks, Red Wings and Kraken on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, respectively.

A big part of the reason why the Flames’ rebuild is ahead of schedule is 23-year-old goaltender Dustin Wolf. He got a taste of the NHL last year and was mixed at best, posting a 7-7-1 record, 3.16 GAA and .893 save percentage in 17 games. However, he’s filled the void left by Markstrom and then some in 2024-25 with his 17-7-2 record, 2.49 GAA and .918 save percentage in 26 starts. To put that into context, Wolf has already saved 13.3 goals above expected this season, per Moneypuck, which has almost caught up to the 13.7 goals saved above expected Markstrom provided for the Flames last campaign. Wolf also ranks eighth among goaltenders in that metric this season.

Wolf’s contributions are extra important because the rest of the team has underwhelmed. Calgary ranks 29th in goals per game (2.65) and 21st in xGA/60 (3.09). So, the team’s not generating much offense and the defense hasn’t been responsible enough to make an average goaltender look good -- just ask backup Dan Vladar, who is only slightly below average at minus-2.8 goals saved above expected, but due to the Flames’ defense has some rather unflattering numbers: a 3.03 GAA and an .889 save percentage.

Still, even if Wolf is the team’s clear MVP, it would be inaccurate to suggest that he’s the only player of value in Calgary. Jonathan Huberdeau might not be living up to his contract, but his 19 goals and 35 points through 46 outings make him the team’s offensive leader. Since a quiet stretch from Oct. 19-Nov. 29 in which Huberdeau had four goals and six points in 20 outings, the 31-year-old has been tremendous, supplying 12 goals and 23 points across 22 outings. If he can maintain anything close to that down the stretch, then there’s a decent chance he’ll be playing playoff hockey this year.

The 23-year-old Jakob Pelletier is also hot with three goals and six points across his past five appearances. It took him a while to get going -- he recorded a goal and five points over his first 15 games with Calgary this season -- but we’re getting a flash of what he’s capable of. He was selected with the No. 26 overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft and has been dominant offensively at the AHL level, including three goals and 19 points in 20 contests this season.

Maybe Rory Kerins will also help them down the stretch. He’s 23 as well and has provided an incredible 21 goals and 34 points in 34 AHL games in 2024-25. Unlike Pelletier, Kerins was a late-round pick and even logged 38 games with ECHL Rapid City back in 2022-23. Kerins has risen, making his NHL debut Jan. 13 and recording four assists in five outings with the Flames so far. That said, he’s averaging just 12:14 of ice time, including a mere 6:57 on Thursday, so his role with Calgary is far from secure despite those early results. Monitor him, but don’t get too excited yet.

Colorado Avalanche (Tue @ NYI, Fri vs STL, Sun vs PHI)

The Avalanche has a solid 28-19-2 record, but they’ve merely treaded water lately, going 5-4-1 across their past 10 games. They’ll see if they can do better next week with a favorable schedule. The Avalanche will visit the Islanders on Tuesday before returning home to host St. Louis on Friday and Philadelphia on Sunday. Those adversaries are well behind the Avalanche in terms of points percentage.

I wrote this whole thing about Colorado’s situation with regard to Mikko Rantanen’s contract, and then the Avalanche traded him to Carolina in a three-team deal that also involved Chicago, which was shocking, to say the least. To be fair, there is logic to be found here. My now outdated discussion of the topic still serves as a decent overview of the challenge the Avalanche were facing pre-trade, so I’ll show it here for that purpose:

“Like Edmonton with Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid, Colorado also has the luxury of an elite one-two punch up front. The Avalanche version is headlined by Nathan MacKinnon, and the other half of the Avalanche’s duo is Mikko Rantanen, who has 25 goals and 64 points through 49 outings in 2024-25. Colorado has an issue that Edmonton recently went through, though: Rantanen is on the final season of his six-year, $55.5 million contract and can become an unrestricted free agent this summer. Rantanen has a real shot of reaching the 40-goal and 100-point milestones for the third consecutive year, so to say he’s due a big payday would be an understatement.

Finding a comparable is a little difficult. Draisaitl won the Hart Trophy in 2019-20, has collected at least 50 goals on three occasions and has also gotten at least 110 points three times, but Rantanen has never been a Hart finalist, has reached the 50-goal mark just once and he’s career high in points is 105, so it’s clear which one of them has a better resume. Still, if Draisaitl could ink an eight-year, $112 million ($14 million cap hit) contract back in September, perhaps Rantanen is thinking at least $12 million annually? Maybe even more? It might be awkward to give Rantanen something at or above Nathan MacKinnon’s eight-year, $100.8 million ($12.6 million cap hit) contract, but MacKinnon inked that back in 2022, and with the cap going up, so too will the payouts for top talent.”

So, you can see why the Avalanche might have opted to move Rantanen rather than lock him up, and there might even be more to this story that we’re not yet aware of. Perhaps the Avalanche presented Rantanen with a competitive offer, and he rejected that. To be clear, that’s purely just hypothetical, and I have no inside knowledge of the situation, so please take my wild speculation as fact, but in that scenario, this trade would make more sense from the Avalanche’s perspective.

That said, I don’t love the return from the Avalanche’s perspective. Colorado is getting Martin Necas and Jack Drury from the Avalanche, as well as some picks. Necas has never reached the 30-goal or 80-point marks, so he doesn’t have the same kind of resume as Rantanen, but Necas is younger at 26 and has done well this campaign with 16 goals and 55 points in 49 appearances. He’ll look good alongside Nathan MacKinnon. My problem with Necas as the return is his two-year, $13 million contract expires in 2026, and then Necas will be eligible for unrestricted free agency. So, if he performs over the next year and a half as the Avalanche hope, then to some extent they just kicked the problem down the road by a year. Granted, Necas probably won’t command what Rantanen did…but that’s only because he’s a downgrade. No offense to Necas -- 99.9 percent of the league is a downgrade to Rantanen -- but the Avalanche are in a win-now mode, so unless retaining Rantanen was completely off the table, this trade feels a little weird to me.

Perhaps I’m undervaluing Jack Drury, though. He has just nine points (three goals) in 39 appearances in 2024-25, but the 24-year-old probably has upside left in him, and the Avalanche will certainly benefit from the center depth. It would not be surprising to see Drury tried out on the third line behind MacKinnon and Casey Mittelstadt.

The Avalanche also got two picks out of the trade. Not a first-rounder, but maybe in five years or so, we’ll look at one of those draft picks as an underrated benefit of this deal.

Carolina Hurricanes (Tue @ NYR, Thu vs CHI, Sat vs. LAK)

The teams I highlight are based on a combination of how busy their schedule is for the upcoming week and how favorable those matchups are. Additionally, I will typically present the teams I’ve included in alphabetical order. I’m breaking both of those to include the Hurricanes. I think it’s worth discussing the fallout of the Rantanen trade from the Hurricanes’ perceptive, and it’s better to have that discussion after outlining what this deal means for Colorado. A little bit of housekeeping before we get into the trade talks: The Hurricanes will start next week with a road tilt against the Rangers on Tuesday before hosting the Blackhawks on Thursday and the Kings on Saturday. It’s not a bad schedule, it’s just not special either.

Now to the trade: In addition to Rantanen, the Hurricanes also acquired Taylor Hall from Chicago for the cost of Necas, Drury and draft picks. There was also retained salary in the deal to make the cap situation work.

It’ll be really interesting to see how this plays out for Carolina. Rantanen has never really been “the guy” before. He’s spent basically his entire NHL career to this point in MacKinnon’s shadow, but now Rantanen will be expected to drive the offense in Carolina. Not that he’ll have to do it alone. In fact, Rantanen is likely to get some great linemates in Sebastian Aho (15 goals, 49 points) and Andrei Svechnikov (15 goals, 34 points). There’s every reason to believe that trio will mesh together.

There’s also reason to be optimistic about Carolina retaining Rantanen beyond this campaign. Sure, the Hurricanes’ attempt to lock down Jake Guentzel after acquiring him from Pittsburgh during the 2023-24 campaign ultimately failed, leading to Guentzel instead signing with Tampa Bay over the summer, but Carolina is set to be in a fantastic cap position for 2025-26. Dmitry Orlov ($7.75 million cap hit) and Brent Burns ($5.28 million) are both set to come off the books. Orlov will likely take a big pay cut if he stays at all. It’s not clear if Burns will play beyond this season, but if he does, it’ll likely be at a reduced salary too.

Carolina also doesn’t have any expiring players due for big paydays beyond Rantanen himself. Meanwhile, Puck Pedia is projecting them with $31.2 million in cap space for next season, albeit with just 13 roster spots filled. There is reason to believe the Hurricanes can meet Rantanen’s demands, even if he’s eyeing something close to what Draisaitl got.

What happens with Rantanen will go a long way towards defining how this trade is viewed, but adding Hall as well in the trade is interesting. He’s been middling this campaign with nine goals and 24 points in 46 appearances with the Blackhawks while averaging a modest 14:59 of ice time. It’s a far cry from what the 33-year-old did in his prime, but he might do better now that he’s on a contender. Hall will probably end up serving on the second line alongside some combination of Seth Jarvis (18 goals, 38 points), Jesperi Kotkaniemi (10 goals, 23 points) and Jackson Blake (11 goals, 16 points).

The Hurricanes’ overall offense has been good -- they rank fifth with 3.37 goals per game – but their scoring depth does leave something to be desired, especially if Carolina does go with that stacked top line of Svechnikov-Aho-Rantanen, so even a decent showing out of Hall would be a big boost.

Carolina likely doesn’t have any room left to make anymore notable additions before the trade deadline, but as it is, the Hurricanes do look like serious contenders.

New York Islanders (Tue vs COL, Thu @ PHI, Sat @ TBL, Sun @ FLA)

It might be premature to assume that the Islanders will miss the playoffs in 2024-25 for just the second time in seven years, but the team certainly has a hole to dig out of. They’ll attempt to better their situation next week, which will start with a home game against the Avalanche on Tuesday. The Islanders will then hit the road to play in Philadelphia on Thursday, Tampa Bay on Saturday and Florida on Sunday. It’s a tough schedule to be sure, but the Islanders are running out of margin for error, so they need to find a way to win difficult matches.

The Islanders inked Tony DeAngelo to a one-year contract Friday, which is…a choice. He’s been bought out twice at the NHL level, which led to him joining the KHL, but DeAngelo only served in 34 games with St. Petersburg SKA before his contract was mutually terminated. He’s questionable in his own end and seems to be a lightning rod for controversy. Still, for as much as there’s a reason why teams keep souring on him, there is also a cause for the infinite number of “second” chances he’s gotten.

DeAngelo, under the right circumstances, can be very effective when the puck is on his stick. He has surpassed the 40-point mark three times at the NHL level and had six goals and 32 points in 34 KHL outings before parting ways with SKA. So, for all the negatives he comes with, at least the 29-year-old has that going for him.

A team in a good spot probably wouldn’t bother with DeAngelo given the baggage, but the Islanders are 28th in goals per game with 2.66 and have lost Noah Dobson to a lower-body injury. Dobson is week-to-week after sustaining the injury Monday. He’s a vital part of the Islanders, and while DeAngelo isn’t a good enough blueliner to fully replace Dobson, one part of that void that DeAngelo likely can fill is the offensive loss. DeAngelo might only serve on the third pairing, but he will likely feature on the top power-play unit and could have fantasy value if that’s his role. His fantasy value will be even higher in leagues that include PIM as a category because he tends to end up in the sin bin a fair amount.

Under ideal circumstances, DeAngelo’s inclusion might even offer a boost to Anders Lee, Bo Horvat and Mathew Barzal, who will presumably share the ice with him on the power play. The Islanders are dead last in power-play conversions at just 12.2 percent, which has been a drag on the overall offensive output of the Islanders’ top forwards. If DeAngelo can help make the Islanders’ power play even remotely close to average, then that would add up meaningfully for all involved.

Of course, all this is assuming a favorable outcome, which is always a risky thing to believe in when it comes to DeAngelo. At the time of writing, his inclusion on the Islanders isn’t guaranteed. Though the contract has been signed, he needs to clear waivers before he can play for the Islanders. I wouldn’t bet on another team claiming him, but then again, I didn’t anticipate this move from New York, and yet, here we are.

Philadelphia Flyers (Mon vs NJD, Wed @ NJD, Thu vs NYI, Sun @ COL)

The Flyers missed out on the playoffs for the fourth consecutive year in 2024, but at least they managed to stay in contention for most of the campaign. They’d like to do one better this year and secure a Wild Card spot, but there’s a lot of competition for those two seeds, so every game is that much more important. The Flyers will start the week with a home-and-away series against the Devils on Monday and Wednesday before hosting the Islanders on Thursday. Philadelphia will conclude its weekly schedule in Colorado on Sunday.

Goaltending has been a recurring issue for Philadelphia this season. Samuel Ersson is just too inconsistent, leading to a 14-8-2 record, 2.80 GAA and .891 save percentage in 26 appearances. Ivan Fedotov is no better, though, at 4-6-3 with a 3.25 GAA and an .880 save percentage in 14 starts.

The tragedy is that the Flyers are actually a really good defensive team, locked in a four-way tie for sixth in xGA/60 (2.85). The problem is purely the goaltenders. Ersson ranks 83rd among all netminders in goals allowed above expected at minus-8.8, per Moneypuck. The only netminders worse in that category with at least 20 games played are Petr Mrazek, Tristan Jarry, Alexandar Georgiev and Philipp Grubauer. One of those (Jarry) was sent to the minors due to his play while Mrazek and Georgiev are playing for rebuilding squads in Chicago and San Jose. In other words, it’s unflattering company for Ersson.

The Flyers offense isn’t great, but it’s decent. Travis Konecny (21 goals, 56 points) is doing his best to push the team into contention. He’s also been particularly productive recently, supplying five goals and 15 points across his past 13 appearances.

Owen Tippett is benefiting from playing alongside Konecny. The 25-year-old Tippett has three goals and six points over his last eight games, giving him 14 goals and 30 points in 50 outings overall. That duo doesn’t combine to create a top line that will turn heads, but it does the job well enough.

The Flyers are hoping that Matvei Michkov might eventually headline a unit of his own, but the rookie has been streaky. That’s pretty common for a young forward. You just need to keep an eye out and bench him during the down patches. We might be entering one right now -- he has been held off the scoresheet in each of his past two games after supplying two goals and five points across six outings from Jan. 11-21.

Pittsburgh Penguins (Mon @ SJS, Wed @ UTA, Sat vs NSH)

Like the Islanders and Flyers, Pittsburgh is on the outside looking in on the Wild Card race but is still in the running. The Penguins will play in San Jose on Monday and Utah on Wednesday before returning home to host the Predators on Saturday. The Sharks and Predators own two of the worst records in the league, so Pittsburgh needs to pick up points during that stretch if the Penguins are going to convince GM Kyle Dubas that this team can make a serious playoff push this year.

And make no mistake: Dubas likely needs some convincing. RG.org claims to have a source that Pittsburgh is willing to trade anyone other than Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Bryan Rust, Philip Tomasino and Owen Pickering. The source was also asked about Kris Letang, and they weren’t sure about him.

Erik Karlsson stands out as the biggest player not ruled out. The Penguins would likely need to retain salary -- his cap hit is $11.5 million annually through 2026-27, but the Sharks are already retaining $1.5 million, bringing the current hit to Pittsburgh down to $10 million -- but as long as Pittsburgh is willing to do that, the return could be fairly nice. Although he’s 34 years old, he’s been effective this campaign with four goals and 32 points in 50 outings.

One potential sticking point is that he has a no-movement clause. He already waived it once to move from San Jose to Pittsburgh, but presumably, there would only be certain teams he’d be willing to play for. The fun destination from a fan perspective would be a return to the Senators, but that would be difficult to make work from a cap perspective. Maybe Calgary or Columbus? The Flames and Blue Jackets are teams trending in the right direction who also have plenty of cap space. Perhaps they’d value his veteran leadership in addition to what he brings to the table on the ice. Columbus’ defense already looks fairly solid and is led by a phenomenal offensive defenseman in Zach Werenski, so I don’t know that the Blue Jackets are a great fit. Karlsson would likely provide a meaningful boost to the Flames, though.

Of course, if you're Crosby or Malkin, you’re still going to be clinging onto the hope of making the playoffs this year, so these upcoming games are extremely high stakes for them. Rust is dealing with a lower-body injury, which does complicate things, but if Rust ends up missing time, then you’ll probably see Anthony Beauvillier play with one of those highly motivated superstars.

Seattle Kraken (Mon @ EDM, Tue vs ANA, Thu vs SJS, Sun vs CGY)

Seattle will begin its weekly schedule with what’s likely to be a difficult matchup in Edmonton on Monday. However, the Kraken will then return home to host Anaheim on Tuesday, San Jose on Thursday and Calgary on Sunday. The Ducks and Sharks have struggled this campaign, so those are favorable matchups for the Kraken.

I briefly touched on Philip Grubauer above in the context of how bad he’s been this campaign -- and really for a while now. He has a 3.09 GAA and an .890 save percentage in 150 games since joining Seattle. His six-year, $35.4 million deal, which started in 2021-22, has been such a waste for the Kraken.

On the plus side, the Kraken have Joey Daccord, who has a 16-11-2 record, 2.47 GAA and .915 save percentage in 31 appearances in 2024-25. He could certainly use more offensive support, though.

Jared McCann leads the Kraken with 14 goals and 36 points in 49 appearances this season. That puts him outside of the NHL’s top 75 in the scoring race. Seattle also doesn’t employ any of the 32 players who have reached the 20-goal milestone. Jaden Schwartz is the closest at 16. A lack of big-name talent up front is really hurting this team.

Maybe Matty Beniers will still fill that void, but he’s been a mixed bag. He was Seattle’s first-ever draft pick -- the No. 2 overall selection in 2021 -- and he seemed to be on the fast track after supplying three goals and nine points in 10 NHL outings in 2021-22 followed by 24 goals and 57 points in 80 appearances last season. However, he took a big step back last year, dipping to 37 points, and he hasn’t rebounded much this campaign with 10 goals and 26 points in 49 appearances. He’s still just 22 years old, so there’s plenty of time for him to find his way, but it’s looking less and less likely that this year will be a positive for him.

Another former No. 2 pick seems to have found his way with Seattle, though. Since being acquired from the Rangers on Feb. 18, Kaapo Kakko has four goals and 13 points in 16 outings, giving the Kraken some of that offensive prowess they’ve desperately needed. He’s been averaging 16:50 of ice time in Seattle, which is up from 13:17 with the Rangers -- he had four goals and 14 points in 30 contests before the trade -- which goes a long way toward explaining his production jump.

There never seemed to be much of a role for Kakko in New York, so this change of scenery is probably exactly what he needed. Although his scoring pace might dip somewhat, he should continue to do well with Seattle.

Vancouver Canucks (Mon @ STL, Wed @ NSH, Fri @ DAL, Sun @ DET)

The Canucks have been a mess on and off the ice lately. Will things get any better for them or will the descent continue next week? They’ll start on the road with games in St. Louis on Monday, Nashville on Wednesday and Dallas on Friday. Vancouver will then host the Red Wings on Sunday.

There’s been plenty of speculation about the Canucks potentially moving one of Elias Pettersson or J.T. Miller for off-ice reasons. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported that the Hurricanes were considering acquiring one of those star forwards before opting to instead get Rantanen from Colorado, per Brendan Batchelor of Sportsnet 650. Carolina is likely out as a destination now, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see Vancouver still trade one of Miller or Pettersson. The Rangers have been brought up before as a potential destination, so maybe there’s still something to be had there.

Perhaps because this has been distracting them, Vancouver has been in free fall, going 6-10-6 since Dec. 8. Miller had a five-game scoring drought from Jan. 8-16, but he’s otherwise remained effective, collecting eight goals and 33 points in 37 outings this campaign. It’s still far behind his regular-season production from 2023-24 (37 goals, 103 points), but at least he’s providing close to a point-per-game.

Pettersson hasn’t given anything close to that lately. He has just three goals and four points across his past 14 appearances. That slump has undermined a strong start to the campaign, leaving him with 11 goals and 30 points in 41 outings overall. He’ll probably bounce back eventually, but his slump is certainly part of the reason for the Canucks’ decline.

Thatcher Demko isn’t helping either, though. Since making his season debut Dec. 10 after returning from a knee injury, he has a 3-5-3 record, 3.47 GAA and .867 save percentage in 12 games. Some rust is to be expected after missing the opening months of the season, but he’s showing no signs of improvement, going 1-3-0 with a 4.03 GAA and an .833 save percentage across his past four outings. Kevin Lankinen is far from a sure thing either, but he’s been the better option with his 16-8-6 record, 2.63 GAA and .903 save percentage in 30 appearances.

It's unfortunate because Demko has shown in the past that he can be an elite netminder, and Vancouver could certainly use the help right now. As it is, though, about the only positive in Vancouver is that Quinn Hughes is still Quinn Hughes with 12 goals and 52 points in 43 appearances, including four goals and 10 points across his past nine outings.

Hughes just needs other stars to go back to living up to their names as well.

AHL: Early Season Favourites – AHL – Graf, Lekkerimäki, Kerins & Cagnoni

Dave Hall — Fri, 29 Nov 2024 14:00:20 +0000

The 2024-25 season is well underway, and our scouts have been busy soaking in the action around the globe. Our scouts have also been paying close attention to already-drafted and free-agent-signed prospects playing in the AHL. Analyzing early season play can be difficult, perhaps even a bit of a ruse. Hot starts aren’t always sustainable, and cold starts are not always indicative. However, players can still catch our attention in positive ways, and that’s what this series intends to highlight.

Dave Hall - AHL Central and Pacific Division Regional Scout

Collin Graf - C/RW - San Jose Barracuda

6’1", 190lbs - 2002-09-21

College free agents have always been somewhat of a coin flip. Sometimes, they thrive, and sometimes, they sink. For every player who successfully transitions to the NHL, several fade into AHL obscurity. But there's one name making waves in the AHL, doing his best to prove that narrative wrong, and that’s San Jose product Collin Graf.

Widely regarded as the top free agent from last year’s class, Graf hasn't just transitioned smoothly to the pro game; he’s been thriving. With 19 points, he’s leading all AHL rookies and sits fourth (tied) among all skaters. Fourteen of those points have come by way of assists, with eight being primary—a testament to the direct effect he's having on San Jose Barracuda's offence. Named October’s AHL Rookie of the Month, Graf plays with poise beyond his years. His hockey IQ is off the charts, allowing him to anticipate the play and execute with precision.

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It's not just about the assists, though. He's an effective, dual-threat provider who can make things happen in tight spaces and from various areas of the ice. Whether it be with the help from others or doing things all by himself, his ability to score should be slept on.

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And it’s not just about his offensive prowess. Averaging just under 20 minutes of ice time per night, he's earned his coaches' trust and is seeing time in all situations—including penalty killing.

Defensively, he’s been just as impressive, sporting a plus-9 rating (good for fourth-best in the league) and showcasing his willingness to do the dirty work—battling in corners, blocking shots, and playing the right way in his own zone.

San Jose is already home to several young, blossoming stars; there’s every reason to think Graf could be next in line. The Sharks may want to play the slow game with his development, but a call-up seems inevitable if he continues this kind of performance at the AHL level.

Jonathan Lekkerimäki - RW - Abbotsford Canucks

5'11" 172lbs - 2004-07-24

The transition from Sweden to North America can be daunting, particularly for players not used to the physical rigours of the North American game. Many wondered how Jonathan Lekkerimäki would fare after his impressive rookie season in the SHL—would he be able to translate that success, or would the adjustment be too much?

So far, Lekkerimäki has silenced the doubters. Despite missing Abbotsford’s first few games due to illness, the Swedish rookie came roaring out of the gate and has already established himself as one of the AHL’s premier offensive weapons. Since debuting on October 25th, Lekkerimäki has been lighting the lamp at a point-per-game clip, with seven points to date.

What’s most impressive is his relentless shot volume. With 44 shots on goal in just nine games, he's averaging just under five shots per game. Whether it’s off the rush or from the half-wall—his bread and butter—he's shooting often, and he's shooting well.

Simply put, he's shooting from everywhere and anywhere.

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His hot start has already warranted a seven-game audition in Vancouver, where he scored his first NHL goal.

Jonathan Lekkerimäki fires home his first NHL goal! pic.twitter.com/58kfEmsr7t

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) November 15, 2024

It’s not all roses and butterflies with his game, however. Lekkerimäki still has work to do on the defensive side of the puck. He sits at minus-8 for the season in the American League and minus-4 at the NHL level. His frame is slight, and so far, it's quite evident. While it's not for lack of effort, his ability to gain good body position or win out 50/50 puck battles is hindered by his smaller stature.

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For a player to succeed in Rick Tocchet’s system, being effective on both sides of the puck is a non-negotiable. Lekkerimäki's defensive shortcomings might be a small blemish on an otherwise bright start, but it’s something that will need attention if he wants to carve out a permanent role with Vancouver.

Still, there’s no denying that Lekkerimäki is an elite shooter—a pure sniper whose goal-scoring instincts and relentless desire to fire the puck will eventually propel him to the NHL. The defensive lapses may be a work in progress, but his offensive prowess is undeniable, and Canucks fans have plenty to be excited about as he continues to refine his game.

Rory Kerins - C/LW - Calgary Wranglers

5'11",190lbs - 2002-04-12

They don’t all have to be high-pedigree prospects to stand out, and Rory Kerins is exhibit A. Despite not being a household name, it's impossible to ignore what he’s been doing with the Calgary Wranglers this season.

As a sophomore with 54 games of AHL experience under his belt from last year, the former OHL standout has come out of the gate swinging. The Ontario native collected eight points in his first four games and hasn’t looked back since, leading the league with 13 goals and 19 points in just over a month of play. He’s produced points in 15 games and is proving that his standout 118-point season with the Soo Greyhounds in 2021-22 wasn’t a simple “one-off.”

What makes Kerins’ production so promising is where he’s cashing in. Despite standing at just 5-foot-10, he makes a living in the tough areas of the ice—he's constantly battling in the blue paint, and with his quick hands, he's a threat to capitalize on rebounds and stuff-ins. Of course, he can capitalize with a quick snapshot, too.

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While he may not have the flashiest game, his hard-nosed approach and willingness to pay the price in high-danger areas make him a player that NHL teams crave in their bottom-six roles. Yes, he’s shooting at an unsustainable 28% rate, and that scoring pace may level out, but his mix of offensive skill and willingness to grind it out has certainly turned heads. At this rate, a call-up to Calgary’s big club might be more of a question of when rather than if.

Luca Cagnoni - D - San Jose Barracuda

5'9",180lbs - 2004-12-21

Of course, it doesn’t take long to pinpoint his overall weakness and the element that will keep his ability to work his way up the ranks a challenge. That’s his size. He seems to fit in quite nicely at the American League level. Yet, the jump to the highest level is a large one. So far, though, he’s proven at each level that his size is no barrier, knocking down those walls at each and every turn.

It’s hard to ignore what’s happening over in San Jose. We’ve already covered Collin Graf, and now it’s time to spotlight another thriving youngster—defenceman Luca Cagnoni.

With 16 points, the former fourth-round draft pick ranks second among all AHL defenders in scoring. But are we really surprised? After all, he’s fresh from a 204 Western League career in which he nearly produced at a point-per-game clip.

At just 5-foot-9 and 181 pounds, he isn’t your prototypical size for a professional defender. So, would his skill be enough to transition effectively? So far, the answer has been a resounding yes. He’s brought the same offensive flair that made him a standout in juniors and has quickly established himself as a key driver of offence from the blue line for the San Jose Barracuda.

In today’s NHL, the landscape has evolved for undersized yet dynamic defenders, and Cagnoni fits that mould perfectly. He’s not the most explosive skater, but his edgework and agility are top-notch, and he uses crafty manipulations to freeze and shake off opposing defenders to make plays.

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Whether he’s quarterbacking a power play, walking the line, or activating from the point, his IQ always makes him a threat to make something happen. Thanks to his quick processing, he's able to thread creative passes and seemingly create offence from nothing.

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Of course, he can walk the line and finish things himself as well.

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His biggest hurdle will always be his size, and the jump from AHL to NHL is daunting for a smaller defender. However, Cagnoni has proven that size is just a number—he’s defied expectations at every level and continues to make believers out of doubters with his play.

Honourable mentions to keep tabs on: Sam Colangelo, Jagger Firkus and Eduard Sale

MCKEEN’S 2024-25 NHL YEARBOOK – CALGARY FLAMES – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #9

Introduction - Dave Hall, Profiles - Josh Bell — Mon, 23 Sep 2024 18:00:53 +0000

_{VANCOUVER, BC - SEPTEMBER 25: Calgary Flames goaltender Dustin Wolf (32) in net during their preseason NHL game against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena on September 25, 2022 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Derek Cain/Icon Sportswire)}

Prospect System Ranking – 9th (Previous Rank - 12th)
GM: Craig Conroy Hired: May 2023
COACH: Ryan Huska Hired: June 2023

Thanks to a recent trade haul that saw the Flames inject four of their top 15 McKeen’s ranked prospects into the system, Calgary has clawed their way into the top 10 of our prospect rankings.

This surge is highlighted by Zayne Parekh (ranked 27th), one of the most dynamic defencemen the organization has seen in years. Parekh exemplifies the modern-day offensive defenceman and carries tremendous potential as a future NHL powerhouse. He’ll return to his Saginaw Spirit team, fresh off a Memorial Cup victory as tournament hosts. Alongside Parekh, Calgary added key names like Matvei Gridin (186th), Andrew Basha (205th), and Henry Mews (249th) who all show promise as potential future NHL’ers.

The Flames graduated just one prospect in 2023-24 (Connor Zary), but that list is set to grow significantly within the next year. Four of the club’s top six prospects will push for spots on the main roster, and most are likely to succeed. Dustin Wolf, ranked 20th overall and the third-ranked goalie at McKeen’s, will likely be making the biggest impact. With Jacob Markstrom now out of the picture, there is a starting job to apply for, and he’ll battle Dan Vladař for that role. He’ll be joined by Matthew Coronato (56th) and Jakob Pelletier (96th) as hopefuls looking to crack the Flames’ roster.

On the rise is 2023 first-rounder Samuel Honzek (81st), who will begin his professional rookie campaign alongside the recently acquired Hunter Brzustewicz (199th). Both are considered big pieces to the Flames’ future and will have the opportunity to develop one step away from their ultimate goal in the NHL. Additionally, Jérémie Poirier (160th), Yan Kuznetsov, and forward William Strömgren continue to make strides with the AHL’s Calgary Wranglers.

The retooling process is just beginning in Calgary, but with a healthy flow of young talent and four first-round picks over the next two years, GM Craig Conroy has positioned the Flames to bolster their roster significantly over the coming seasons.

Calgary Flames Top-15 Prospects

1. Dustin Wolf

Dustin Wolf's rookie season wasn't the anticipated breakthrough season that many expected. After a stellar NHL debut in 2023, his 2023-24 campaign was a rollercoaster. A 0.923 save percentage in the AHL is decent, but not quite his previous dominance. At times throughout the season, we saw flashes of brilliance, but consistency eluded him. Questions arose. Was the pressure of the backup role a factor? Did the increased competition expose weaknesses? While the jury's still out, Wolf did show glimpses of his star potential and still remains a top goaltending prospect in the world. He’s extremely athletic and focused, his puck tracking is extremely impressive, and he’s continued to mature over the years as a calm and composed netminder. The 2023-24 season served as a reality check for Wolf. The path to NHL stardom is rarely linear. How he responds to this adversity will be a major storyline heading into next year.

2. Zayne Parekh

Zayne Parekh had a record-breaking season as an 18-year-old OHL defender, surpassing even stars like Ryan Ellis, Drew Doughty, and Alex Pietrangelo at the same age. His performance earned him the title of top defender in both the OHL and CHL. Despite being injured in the playoffs, he bounced back to help the Saginaw Spirit win the Memorial Cup, showcasing his resilience. Parekh is an exceptionally creative player with a high hockey IQ and vision, making him a reliable offensive threat. His lateral movement and edgework allow him to navigate the offensive zone with ease, while his defensive stick work is an underrated aspect of his game. However, concerns about his slight frame and average first-step acceleration have kept him just outside the top ten rankings. While he occasionally cheats for offence, his potential is undeniable. As Parekh matures, he could develop into an elite offensive defenceman, with tremendous upside from the back end.

3. Matthew Coronato

Matthew Coronato didn't disappoint in his much-anticipated rookie season with the Flames. While not quite cracking the Calder Trophy conversation, he solidified his reputation as an offensive weapon. The 2021 13th-overall draft pick’s speed and puck handling created havoc for defenders throughout the season. He wasn't afraid to mix it up in the dirty areas either, using his frame to protect the puck and win board battles. He plays a very confident game and loves to drive the play. He also shows off a quick, hard shot that he can get off from anywhere on the ice. Questions remain about his defensive consistency, but his offensive contributions were undeniable. Coronato's strong rookie campaign suggests a bright future in Calgary. He's already a legitimate NHL contributor, and further refinement in his defensive game could elevate him into a top six role. Flames fans have a lot to be excited about with Coronato on their wing.

4. Samuel Honzek

The Flames' first rounder in 2023, Samuel Honzek had a 2023-24 season defined by inconsistency. A pre-season injury delayed his WHL return, and while he looked electric upon returning (seven points in five games), his production dipped significantly afterward. The World Juniors offered a bounce-back (three goals, one assist), but consistency remained the biggest issue for the prospect. Despite leading the Giants in scoring last year, Honzek finished the 2023-24 season with a pedestrian 31 points in 33 games. Questions linger about his ability to adapt to a new role (center) and translate his offensive dominance to the pro level. However, flashes of brilliance and a strong showing at the World Juniors offer a glimmer of hope. Development will be key for Honzek, and the Flames will be closely monitoring his progress this season. His future remains uncertain at this point though.

5. Jakob Pelletier

Pelletier's 2023-24 campaign was a season of flashes and frustrations. An upper-body injury delayed his NHL debut, limiting him to just 13 games with the Flames in a season many thought he would stick with the big club. While he managed a goal and three points, the limited sample size makes a full evaluation difficult. However, glimpses of the skilled winger Flames fans were excited about did emerge. He’s such an intelligent player who helps drive his team’s pace and play. He always keeps his foot on the gas and makes opponents rush decisions, forcing turnovers. The question remains: can he translate those flashes into consistent NHL production? Pelletier's development hinges on staying healthy and earning a more permanent role with the Flames. If he can improve his defensive awareness, a breakout season could still be in the cards in the near future.

6. Jeremie Poirier

Poirier's 2023-24 campaign was derailed by a skate laceration just four games into the season with the Calgary Wranglers. The promising defenceman, known for his offensive instincts, was sidelined for months while recovering from surgery. Poirier finally returned to the lineup in March, but his impact was limited. In his 23 games, he managed three goals and 10 assists, a decent output considering the long absence. However, questions remain about his conditioning and overall effectiveness. The Flames' defensive shakeup at the trade deadline opened a potential window for a permanent NHL call-up that never materialized. Despite the lost season, Poirier's talent is undeniable and the improvement he’s shown since being drafted hasn’t gone unnoticed. He makes fewer and fewer mistakes, showcasing the offensive instincts and transition ability that had him earning first-round discussion in his draft year. The upcoming year will be crucial in determining if he can recapture his pre-injury form and establish himself as a future NHL contributor.

7. Matvei Gridin

Matvei Gridin, a Russian prospect, took an uncommon path by moving to North America early, playing for the Muskegon Lumberjacks in the USHL. After a solid first season, he broke out in 2023, leading the league in points and earning a spot at the University of Michigan for the upcoming NCAA season. At 6-foot-1 and 182 pounds, Gridin has good size and a well-rounded skill set, but his offensive abilities, particularly his shot, stand out. His hard, accurate shot can surprise goaltenders, and his creativity and unpredictability make him a dangerous offensive player. He often leads zone entries and is relentless in his pursuit once in the offensive zone. However, his off puck play outside the offensive zone remains inconsistent and will need improvement, especially in his own end. Despite this, Gridin’s intelligence and quick decision-making make him a very promising prospect.

8. Hunter Brzustewicz

Hunter Brzustewicz is a mobile and intelligent defenceman with high upside. Acquired this past season from the Vancouver Canucks in the Elias Lindholm deal, the defender easily becomes one of the most exciting prospects in the system. He excels at reading plays and anticipating opponents' attacks, using his quick feet and active stick to intercept passes and clear the zone. Brzustewicz's vision and anticipation allow him to spark transition play, and his accurate shot makes him a threat from the point, although he’s more likely to find a pass, hence his OHL-leading 79 assists in 2023-24. He's also a physical presence, using his size and strength to win battles and protect his teammates. With continued development, Brzustewicz has the potential to become a top four defenceman and a key contributor on the Flames blue line. His upside as a reliable, two-way defender makes him an exciting prospect in the Flames' pipeline.

9. Andrew Basha

Andrew Basha’s game is built on quickness—quick reads, decisions, footwork, and puck plays. Basha’s speed allows him to navigate through traffic while keeping the puck glued to his stick, often dazzling spectators. He’s also effective in regaining possession, whether on the forecheck or in his defensive zone and quickly transitions into creating scoring chances. Despite his smaller stature, Basha plays with an edge, fearlessly battling bigger defenders for position or taking hits to make plays. While Basha had a standout season, it’s important to note that he has a late 2005 birthday and is in his third WHL campaign, putting him ahead in development compared to his draft-class peers. Scouts agree he has NHL potential, but opinions vary on his long-term upside. Will he be a top six scorer or settle into a bottom six, energy role? The Flames hope that it will be the former.

10. Henry Mews

Mews was one of the most debated prospects in the 2024 NHL Draft, known for his inconsistent defensive play and decision-making. Having only recently transitioned to defence, he shows flashes of brilliance but struggles with consistency, often varying from dominant to frustrating even within the same game. Despite these challenges, Mews possesses significant upside. He's highly skilled with the puck, excels in transition with his speed and edgework, and shows potential as a powerplay quarterback due to his scoring instincts. However, his decision-making falters under pressure in the defensive zone, leading to turnovers. His physical engagement is inconsistent, and his defensive game suffers from a lack of intensity and elite size. Mews embodies the "boom/bust" label—if he refines his game, he could be a major point producer from the back end. If not, his NHL future remains uncertain.

11. Etienne Morin

Drafted 48th overall by Calgary in 2023, Morin's season with the QMJHL's Moncton Wildcats saw a dip in offensive production, with 12 goals and 49 points in 58 games. Despite this, his shot generation improved, and his vision and confidence with the puck are notable. While he shows defensive promise, especially in board battles, inconsistency and struggles defending the rush remain concerns. His development will depend on refining his offensive instincts and adapting to the pro game.

12. Aydar Suniev

Aydar Suniev’s freshman year at UMass highlighted his offensive potential, with 12 goals and 25 points in 36 games. Drafted by Calgary in the third round, he impressed with his shot and skillful hands. However, his skating, while not a liability, doesn’t fully match his offensive tools, and consistency was an issue. Suniev’s future depends on improving his skating and maintaining his production; if he succeeds, he could be a steal for the Flames, but skating limitations could cap his NHL ceiling.

13. Cole Schwindt

While not a breakout year, Schwindt showcased his potential with strong skating and puck protection. However, his offensive consistency and decision-making need improvement, as he was sometimes dominant but also disappeared at times. At 22, he has room to grow and briefly played with the Flames, earning no points in four games. This NHL experience could drive him to improve. Schwindt’s future depends on addressing these inconsistencies and regularly displaying his offensive skills; success in these areas could lead to a full-time role with Calgary.

14. Rory Kerins

Rory Kerins has been on a steady trajectory since the Flames drafted him in 2020, making selecting him at 174th overall look like some stellar scouting for Calgary. He’s coming off his first full season in the AHL, where he showed off his balanced offensive talent with 16 goals and 16 assists. He can tend to disappear at times, and his off-puck play is somewhat lacking, but he’s still trending the right way.

15. William Stromgren

The Flames drafted Stromgren for his potential as a dominant winger, flashing exceptional talent at times. However, his play has been inconsistent, oscillating between hot and cold, with his best performance coming during his draft year. Despite mixed results in the seasons since, Calgary signed him to an entry-level contract, hoping he'll develop into a top six NHL scoring threat, allowing him time to grow within the system.

MCKEEN’S 2024 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #12 Calgary Flames – Organization Overview – Top 15 Prospects

Josh Bell — Thu, 06 Jun 2024 18:00:58 +0000

VANCOUVER, BC - SEPTEMBER 25: Calgary Flames goaltender Dustin Wolf (32) in net during their preseason NHL game against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena on September 25, 2022 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Derek Cain/Icon Sportswire)

The Calgary Flames had to make a tough decision on their direction this season, after coming into the year hoping to take a step forward with a solid, veteran group, and a new general manager in Craig Conroy, and coach in Ryan Huska. Conroy made the call to start breaking this group up, making some massive trades this season, moving Noah Hanafin, Chris Tanev, Elias Lindholm, Nikita Zadorov, and Tyler Toffoli. But in doing that, he’s added Yegor Sharangovich, Hunter Brzustewicz, Joni Jurmo, Artem Grushnikov, and Daniil Miromanov, on top of a plethora of draft pick, including two first rounders.

They have a gem in goalie Dustin Wolf, #13 on McKeen’s list and the third-ranked goalie. He did make the jump to the NHL this season, looking like he could stick next season. Connor Zary also graduated to the NHL and Matthew Coronato looks to be following right behind. They have an opportunity at the draft to build a solid foundation for many years to come. They have five first-round picks over the next three drafts and eight in the first four rounds in the 2024 draft. They also have some promising pieces in Jakob Pelletier, Samuel Honzek, and Jeremie Poirier, on top of the players they’ve added via trade over the past year. The Flames were very active this season on the trade market and remain in the rumour mill, in particular around the future of goaltender Jacob Markstrom, who could well be on the move. Leading up to the 2024 NHL Draft and free agency, keep an eye on this team as they continue to stockpile future pieces.

RNK	PLAYER	POS	AGE	HT/WT	TM	Acquired	GP	G(W)	A(L)	PTS(GAA)	PIM(SPCT)
1	Dustin Wolf	G	23	6-0/166	Calgary (AHL)	`19(214th)	36	20	12	2.45	0.922
2	Matthew Coronato	RW	21	5-10/183	Calgary (AHL)	`21(13th)	41	15	27	42	19
					Calgary (NHL)	`21(13th)	34	3	6	9	4
3	Samuel Honzek	LW	19	6-4/186	Vancouver (WHL)	`23(16th)	33	10	21	31	18
4	Jakob Pelletier	LW	23	5-9/170	Calgary (AHL)	`19(26th)	18	5	7	12	10
					Calgary (NHL)	`19(26th)	13	1	2	3	2
5	Daniil Miromanov	D	26	6-4/200	VGK-Cgy (NHL)	T(VGK-3/24)	24	3	4	7	8
6	Jeremie Poirier	D	21	6-1/196	Calgary (AHL)	`20(72nd)	23	3	10	13	22
7	Hunter Brzustewicz	D	19	5-11/185	Kitchener (OHL)	T(Van-1/24)	67	13	79	92	24
8	Etienne Morin	D	19	6-0/180	Moncton (QMJHL)	`23(48th)	58	12	37	49	31
9	Cole Schwindt	RW	23	6-2/182	Calgary (AHL)	T(Fla-7/22)	66	14	22	36	31
10	Aydar Suniev	LW	19	6-2/198	Massachusetts (HE)	`23(80th)	36	12	13	25	25
11	Rory Kerins	C	22	5-10/175	Calgary (AHL)	`20(174th)	54	16	16	32	8
12	William Stromgren	LW	20	6-3/175	Calgary (AHL)	`21(45th)	68	7	20	27	16
13	Yan Kuznetsov	D	22	6-4/209	Calgary (AHL)	`20(50th)	63	5	8	13	27
14	Parker Bell	LW	20	6-4/192	Tri-City (WHL)	`22(155th)	59	33	31	64	38
15	Ilya Solovyov	D	23	6-3/208	Calgary (AHL)	`20(205th)	51	5	10	15	34
					Calgary (NHL)	`20(205th)	10	0	3	3	4

1. Dustin Wolf, G, Calgary Wranglers (AHL)

Dustin Wolf's rookie season wasn't the anticipated breakthrough season that many expected. After a stellar NHL debut in 2023, his 2023-24 campaign was a rollercoaster. A .923 save percentage in the AHL is decent, but not quite his previous dominance. While some nights in the season we saw flashes of brilliance, but consistency eluded him. Questions arose. Was the pressure of the backup role a factor? Did the increased competition expose weaknesses? While the jury's still out, Wolf did show glimpses of his star potential and still remains a top goaltending prospect in the world. He’s extremely athletic and focused, his puck tracking is extremely impressive, and he’s continued to mature over the years as a calm and composed netminder. This season served as a reality check for Wolf. The path to NHL stardom is rarely linear. How he responds to this adversity will be a major storyline heading into next year.

2. Matthew Coronato, RW, Calgary Wranglers (AHL)

Matthew Coronato didn't disappoint in his much-anticipated rookie season with the Calgary Flames. While not quite cracking the Calder Trophy conversation, he solidified his reputation as an offensive weapon. The 2021 13th-overall draft pick’s speed and puck handling created havoc for defenders throughout the season. He wasn't afraid to mix it up in the dirty areas either, using his frame to protect the puck and win board battles. He plays a very confident game and loves to drive the play. He also shows off a quick, hard shot that he can get off from anywhere on the ice. Questions remain about his defensive consistency, but his offensive contributions were undeniable. Coronato's strong rookie campaign suggests a bright future in Calgary. He's already a legitimate NHL contributor, and further refinement in his defensive game could elevate him into a top-six role. Flames fans have a lot to be excited about with Coronato on their wing.

3. Samuel Honzek, LW, Vancouver Giants (WHL)

The Flames' first rounder in 2023, had a season defined by inconsistency. A pre-season injury delayed his WHL return, and while he looked electric upon returning (seven points in five games), his production dipped significantly afterward. The World Juniors offered a bounce-back (three goals, one assist), but consistency remained elusive. Despite leading the Giants in scoring last year, Honzek finished the 2023-24 season with a pedestrian 31 points in 33 games. Questions linger about his ability to adapt to a new role (center) and translate his offensive dominance to the pro level. However, flashes of brilliance and a strong showing at the World Juniors offer a glimmer of hope. Development will be key for Honzek, and the Flames will be closely monitoring his progress next season.

4. Jakob Pelletier, LW, Calgary Wranglers (AHL)

Pelletier's 2023-24 campaign was a season of flashes and frustrations. An upper-body injury delayed his NHL debut, limiting him to just 13 games with the Flames in a season many thought he would stick with the big club. While he managed a goal and three points, the limited sample size makes a full evaluation difficult. However, glimpses of the skilled winger Flames fans were excited about did emerge. He’s such an intelligent player who helps drive his team’s pace and play. He always keeps his foot on the gas and makes opponents rush decisions, forcing turnovers. The question remains: can he translate those flashes into consistent NHL production? Pelletier's development hinges on staying healthy and earning a more permanent role with the Flames. If he can improve his defensive awareness and stay healthy, a breakout season could still be in the cards in the near future.

5. Daniil Miromanov, D, Calgary Flames (NHL)

Miromanov's season started with a whimper, not a bang. A lingering injury kept him out until January, forcing him to prove himself in the AHL with the Henderson Silver Knights. There, he flashed his offensive potential with six points in five games. The trade to the Calgary Flames in March offered a fresh start. While cracking the lineup consistently proved challenging, Miromanov did manage seven points in 20 games. However, his defensive struggles – a knock on him previously – were evident at times. Overall, Miromanov's 2023-24 was a season of transition. While glimpses of his offensive talent emerged, consistency and defensive refinement remain key questions. The Flames signed him to a two-year extension, suggesting they believe in his upside. Can he develop into a reliable NHL contributor next season? That's the burning question for the young Russian defenseman.

6. Jeremie Poirier, D, Calgary Wranglers (AHL)

Poirier's 2023-24 campaign was derailed by a skate laceration just four games into the season with the Calgary Wranglers. The promising defenseman, known for his offensive instincts, was sidelined for months while recovering from surgery. Poirier finally returned to the lineup in March, but his impact was limited. In his 23 games, he managed three goals and 10 assists, a decent output considering the long absence. However, questions remain about his conditioning and overall effectiveness. The Flames' defensive shakeup at the trade deadline opened a potential window for A permanent NHL call-up never materialized. Despite the lost season, Poirier's talent is undeniable and the improvement he’s shown since being drafted hasn’t gone unnoticed. He makes less and less mistakes, showcasing the offensive instincts and transition ability that had him earning first-round discussion in his draft year. The upcoming year will be crucial in determining if he can recapture his pre-injury form and establish himself as a future NHL contributor.

7. Hunter Brzustewicz, D, Kitchener Rangers (OHL)

Hunter Brzustewicz is a mobile and intelligent defenseman with a high upside. Acquired this season from the Vancouver Canucks in the Elias Lindholm deal, the defender easily becomes one of the most exciting prospects in the system. He excels at reading plays and anticipating opponents' attacks, using his quick feet and active stick to intercept passes and clear the zone. Brzustewicz's vision and anticipation allow him to spark transition play, and his accurate shot makes him a threat from the point, although he’s more likely to find a pass, hence his OHL-leading 79 assists this season. He's also a physical presence, using his size and strength to win battles and protect his teammates. With continued development, Brzustewicz has the potential to become a top-four defenseman and a key contributor on the Calgary Flames' blue line. His upside as a reliable, two-way defender makes him an exciting prospect in the Flames' pipeline.

8. Etienne Morin, D, Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)

Drafted 48th overall by Calgary in 2023, Morin spent the majority of his season with the QMJHL's Moncton Wildcats. While Morin's offensive production in Moncton dipped compared to his draft year (12 goals, 49 points in 58 games), his underlying shot generation improved. The season might be a bit of a disappointment after his breakout season a year ago, but the prospect still has impressive tools worth keeping an eye on. He loves to jump up in the rush and his vision stands out whenever he has the puck. He’s solid carrying the puck himself too, an area where his confidence has noticeably grown over the past year. While the defender shows some defensive prowess in his board battles and his stick-checking, he struggles in defending the rush. The jury's still out on Morin. The flashes of offensive potential are encouraging, but consistency remains a question mark. His development will hinge on refining his offensive instincts and adapting to the pro game.

9. Cole Schwindt, RW, Calgary Wranglers (AHL)

While it wasn't a breakout year, Schwindt showed flashes of his potential, particularly his strong skating and ability to protect the puck. However, questions about his offensive consistency remain. There were stretches where he looked like a dominant force, only to disappear at other times. His decision-making also needs refinement, with turnovers occasionally disrupting the flow of play. The good news: he is still young (22 years old) and has time to develop. He did see a brief stint with the Flames, registering no points in four games. This taste of NHL action could be a motivator heading into next season. Schwindt's future hinges on ironing out his inconsistencies and displaying his offensive prowess more regularly. If he can do that, a call-up to Calgary could become a reality.

10. Aydar Suniev, LW, University of Massachusetts (NCAA)

Aydar Suniev's freshman year at UMass was a showcase of his offensive potential. Drafted by the Calgary Flames in the third round, Suniev wasted no time turning heads with his impressive shot and slick hands. He impressed with 12 goals and 25 points in 36 games, showcasing his ability to find the net and create for linemates. However, questions remain about his skating. While not a liability, it doesn't quite match his offensive tools. Consistency was also an issue, with stretches of dominance punctuated by quieter periods. Suniev's future hinges on refining his skating and maintaining his offensive production. If he can do that, he could become a steal for the Flames. But if skating limitations persist, his NHL ceiling might be a bottom-six role. This season was a promising start, but the next chapter will reveal whether Suniev can address his weaknesses and solidify his status as a future NHL contributor.

PROSPECT CRITERIA: Players under 26 years of age as of 9/15/2024 who have appeared in less than 60 games (30 for goalies) and less than 25 in one season (25 for goalies).

MCKEEN’S 2023-24 NHL YEARBOOK – CALGARY FLAMES – Top 20 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #17

Brock Otten, Derek Neumeier, Chapin Landvogt and Josh Bell — Sat, 23 Sep 2023 11:22:01 +0000

Top 20 Calgary Flames Prospects

1. Dustin Wolf

Is there a better value pick in the past five NHL drafts than Calgary nabbing Wolf all the way down at 214th overall in 2019? After mercilessly shutting down the WHL for four straight seasons, he transitioned masterfully to the AHL without missing a beat, immediately establishing himself as one of the best goalies in the league — THE best goalie, actually, winning the Baz Bastien Memorial Award as top netminder in 2021-22 and again in 2022-23. It's very rare to see goalies of Wolf's size thrive in the NHL, but his technique, focus, composure, play tracking, and overall understanding of the position are all just so advanced that you cannot underestimate him. Had he been given the chance last season, would he have outperformed the two goalies ahead of him in Calgary's system?

2. Matthew Coronato

Coronato decided to turn pro after just two seasons at Harvard, and just in time, because the Flames desperately need more offensive injections coming in through their prospect pipeline. He's also a capable and committed off-puck player, which should give him a little more leeway for a roster spot in the NHL. He sees the ice and understands the game at an impressive level, while also playing at a consistently high pace, so he gets a lot of puck touches and drives a lot of possession even though he isn't overly fast. Coronato is very adept at the all-important ability of scoring wingers to optimize the positioning of the puck before firing, and the power and accuracy of his shots are already at a professional level. While some scorers have trouble understanding the difference between what works at lower levels and what works in the NHL, that shouldn't be a problem at all for Coronato.

3. Jakob Pelletier

Pelletier is technically still a prospect by the guidelines being used here, but it's safe to say that he's not going back to the AHL soon, if ever again. It took him very little time at all to provide a necessary injection of quickness and offensive generation into Calgary's lineup, and he hasn't looked out of place at all in their top-six when given the occasional opportunity. His game is built around a razor-sharp hockey sense and top-notch pacing, which allow him to stay active in the play, strategically apply pressure, and then pounce on the small opportunities that open up. His motor just never seems to run out of gas, and as he gains more experience he's going to keep getting better and better at forcing opposing players into making costly mistakes. He's the type of guy who plays much bigger than his size and makes an outsized impact.

4. Samuel Honzek

Honzek was a revelation this past season. The package of tools and traits that he brings to the table is incredibly enticing. It's rare to find forwards with his size and reach who can also skate and control the puck like he can. He generates a lot of speed and power through his lower body, and even though his skating technique is a little stiff and upright it doesn't slow him down much. He isn't shy at all about shooting, and the puck comes off his stick with surprising quickness and unexpectedly little flex, but he's more of a natural playmaker than a goal-scorer, able to make sharp, tape-to-tape passes through tight gaps. He does a good job of protecting the puck out from his body when necessary, keeping it away from enemies as he tries to turn and block them with his huge frame. It would be nice, though, to see him use his size and strength more effectively, as he's something of a gentle giant right now. The best-case scenario for Honzek long-term is as a massive top-line forward who can play both a power game and a skilled game.

5. Connor Zary

Zary doesn't put up eye-popping point totals and rarely shows up in highlight reels, but the longer he plays for a team the better it gets, and that's not a coincidence. He's a two-way pivot who out-thinks and out-works the majority of his opponents, allowing him to be successful in spite of having average size on top of below average skating ability. When he does put up points it's usually through how well he understands systems and tactics, breaking down defensive structures by getting into the right positions and making the right decisions with the puck. He's less concerned with flashy dekes and passes, and more concerned with precision and consistency, which he accomplishes well. His off-puck play is built around superb positioning and anticipation. He should have a long career as a middle-six center.

6. Jeremie Poirier

Poirier had more than enough first-round skill in his draft year but slid down to the third round because his lacklustre decision-making and effort level often drove scouts crazy. But credit where credit is due, as he really grew to recognize those weaknesses and committed himself to getting them to a workable level. The overall package right now looks very promising, as he became a key piece on a top AHL team in his first year as a pro. He can quarterback a power play with the best of them and can be effective in transition with how elusive he is with his hands and feet. Poirier is trending in the right direction as an offensive defenseman and could become a truly dynamic NHLer one day in that niche if he is allowed to play to his strengths and is used in a system that can minimize his weaknesses.

7. Etienne Morin

It was quite the coming-out party for Etienne Morin last season in the QMJHL. He exploded by more than doubling his production as a draft eligible player. In 67 games, he scored 21 goals - leading the league among defenders - and added 51 assists for 72 points, leading to his selection in the second round by Calgary. As one might expect, Morin’s talents in the offensive end of the ice are what truly stand out. His vision is top tier, thanks to his constant scanning and his ability to seemingly know where everyone is on the ice. While the defender shows some defensive prowess in his board battles and his stick-checking, he struggles in defending the rush thanks to some skating inefficiencies. With improvements to his skating, Morin has the potential to become a bottom-four, offensive defender who could see some time on a second power-play unit. He may take an extra year or two to get there, but there’s strong potential here.

8. William Stromgren

The Flames used a pretty high draft pick on Stromgren because he occasionally flashes huge upside as a rangy, offensively dominant winger. He'll tease you with the odd play or shift where he looks like a truly exceptional talent. The problem is that he oscillates wildly between hot and cold, sometimes for long stretches. Even more perplexing, his best play at a professional level, to date, came during his draft year, while the two seasons since have been a mixed bag. That's a concerning sign since he has a lot of improvement left to make. However, he has already earned his entry-level contract because Calgary knows that there is still a chance that he one day becomes a legitimate top-six scoring threat at the NHL level. With other scoring wingers in the system providing him a buffer to continue his development, Stromgren will get as much time as he needs to marinate.

9. Cole Schwindt

Schwindt was an overlooked piece of the blockbuster Matthew Tkachuk-Jonathan Huberdeau trade, but if he keeps developing like he has over the past few years then that will surely change. He somewhat surprisingly became a number one centre in Mississauga as an 18-year-old and really shined in that role, which is a good sign for how high his ceiling could still go. Luckily the COVID shutdowns didn't seem to stunt his growth too badly, as he hasn't looked out of place or overwhelmed since getting into the AHL. He is very athletic and toolsy, and has shown the ability to continue learning how to utilize those tools. Schwindt should find his way into the NHL role at some point as a player who can move up or down a lineup, play wing or centre, and chip in on both sides of special teams.

10. Yan Kuznetsov

Kuznetsov has played in four different leagues in the past five seasons, with some international tournaments mixed in as well. Amazingly, all those changes of scenery don't seem to have hindered his year-over-year progression, as where he is right now is pretty much in line with his projection dating back to his draft year. He also got a Memorial Cup title out of it in 2021-22 with Saint John, which undoubtedly made his transfer to the QMJHL worth it. However, could he make even bigger gains if given a couple years of consistency with the Wranglers? There are no debates about what his game is or what he brings — he's a shutdown defender through and through — but he is a true specialist of that domain and could eventually become one of the better players in the NHL in that role.

11. Emilio Pettersen

Now is the time for this former Denver standout and Norwegian forward to claim a spot on the Flames. He is no longer exempt from waivers and the team has some openings in their forward group. The skilled playmaker is coming off his best season to date in the AHL.

12. Topi Ronni

Ronni is a solid two-way center that Calgary took in the second round last year. This season in Liiga, the Flames will be looking for him to improve his offensive contribution and earn more ice time playing against men with Tappara.

13. Aydar Suniev

Suniev is very much a long-term project, but one with terrific upside. He is incredibly skilled, but the skating needs to come a long way for the big winger to become an impact player at the highest level. His freshman year at UMass this season will be a huge test for him coming out of the BCHL.

14. Parker Bell

A hard working, power winger, Bell took huge steps forward this year with Tri-City of the WHL. The question is, where does he play this season? Calgary could sign him and have him play in the AHL or they could return him to the WHL for his OA year. Training camp performance likely dictates that outcome.

15. Arseni Sergeev

Sergeev is a big netminder who had a very good freshman year with UConn last year, splitting time in a platoon role. However, with new competition for the crease arriving via the transfer portal, pay attention to his playing time as it will greatly impact his continued development.

16. Rory Kerins

Injuries disrupted Kerins’ first pro season that saw him play mostly in the ECHL. However, the Flames have not given up on the former OHL star. Continuing to improve his skating is the key for him as he looks to become a full time AHL’er this year.

17. Ilya Solovyov

Solovyov continues to progress positively at the AHL level and with another good AHL year under his belt, he could put himself in contention for a roster spot with Calgary. The big defender impresses with his mobility and his defensive game has improved since his OHL days.

18. Jaden Lipinski

A big forward with the Vancouver Giants, Lipinski was a recent fourth round selection. He plays a traditional North/South power game from the middle and will be given every opportunity to play a larger role with the Giants this upcoming season in the WHL.

19. Cade Littler

Littler was drafted with the understanding that he would be a long-term project. He spent this past year repeating the BCHL level and will now spend next year in the USHL with Cedar Rapids before heading to North Dakota. Skating development is key.

20. Daniil Chechelev

Chechelev’s first two pro seasons haven’t really provided inspiring results as he has struggled to advance past the ECHL level. Ironically, he has been doing so on an AHL deal and has not yet earned an ELC. What the future holds for him is a bit of a mystery.

MCKEEN’S 2023 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #16 Calgary Flames

Derek Neumeier — Sat, 20 May 2023 12:34:47 +0000

A season with no shortage of drama, kicked off by having their two biggest stars decide they wanted to play elsewhere. Brad Treliving initially earned high praise for turning a tough situation around, adding Jonathan Huberdeau, MacKenzie Weegar by trading Tkachuck, and also signing Nazem Kadri in free agency. Huberdeau had a particularly disastrous season, with Weegar not far behind. The team never meshed and went from a potential Stanley Cup threat to out of the playoffs. Both Treliving and coach Darryl Sutter were out as a result. With no replacements named yet, it is difficult to divine the direction they will take. With respect to prospects, Sutter has long faced criticism for not giving opportunity to young players, as seen by no graduated players from the last five drafts. It leaves the Flames system with a number of prospects who could make the jump next year as a result.

They have a gem in goalie Dustin Wolf, #17 on our list and the third ranked goalie. He was named top netminder in the WHL this past season. Matthew Coronato plays a style of game suited to the NHL, committed defensively with a good understanding of the game, and brings a scoring touch to the wing. Jakob Pelletier for all intents and purposes has made the Flames roster next season, making his presence felt in his time in the line-up. He did not look out of place in his time in the top six. The Flames have three firsts (one from Florida) and all their second-round picks for the next three drafts. New management will have options in setting a direction whichever way they choose to go.

Dustin Wolf

Is there a better value pick in the past five NHL drafts than Calgary nabbing Wolf all the way down at 214th overall in 2019? After mercilessly shutting down the WHL for four straight seasons he transitioned masterfully to the AHL without missing a beat, immediately establishing himself as one of the best goalies in the league — THE best goalie, actually, winning the Baz Bastien Memorial Award as top netminder for 2021-2022, and he's a shoo-in to repeat when the winner is announced in May. It's very rare to see goalies of Wolf's size thrive in the NHL, but his technique, focus, composure, play tracking and overall understanding of the position are all just so advanced that you cannot underestimated him. Had he been given the chance this season, would he have outperformed the two goalies ahead of him in Calgary's system?

2. Matthew Coronato

Coronato decided to turn pro after just two seasons at Harvard, and just in time, because the Flames desperately need more offensive injections coming in through their prospect pipeline. He's also a capable and committed off-puck player, which should give him a little more leeway for a roster spot in the NHL. He sees the ice and understands the game at an impressive level, and also plays at a consistently high pace, so he gets a lot of puck touches and drives a lot of possession even though he isn't overly fast. He's very adept at the all-important ability as a scoring winger of optimizing the positioning of the puck before firing, and the power and accuracy of his shots are already at a professional level. While some scorers have trouble understanding the difference between what works at lower levels and what works in the NHL, that shouldn't be a problem at all for Coronato.

3. Jakob Pelletier

Pelletier is technically still a prospect by the guidelines being used here, but it's safe to say that he's not going back to the AHL soon, if ever again. It took him very little time at all to provide a necessary injection of quickness and offensive generation into Calgary's lineup, and he hasn't looked out of place at all in their Top 6 when given the occasional opportunity. His game is built around a razor-sharp hockey sense and top-notch pacing, which allow him to stay active in the play, strategically apply pressure, and then pounce on the small opportunities that do open up. His motor just never seems to run out of gas, and as he gains more experience he's going to keep getting better and better at forcing opposing players into making costly mistakes. He's the type of guy who plays much bigger than his size and makes an outsized impact.

4. Connor Zary

Zary is the kind of player who doesn't put up eye-popping point totals and rarely shows up in highlight reels, but the longer he plays for a team the better it gets, and that's not a coincidence. He's a two-way pivot who out-thinks and out-works the majority of his opponents, allowing him to be successful in spite of average size and below average skating ability. When he does put up points it's usually through how well he understands systems and tactics, breaking down defensive structures by getting into the right positions and making the right decisions with the puck. He's less concerned with flashy dekes and passes, and more concerned with precision and consistency, which he accomplishes well. His off-puck play is built around superb positioning and anticipation. He should have a long career as a middle six center.

5. Jeremie Poirier

Poirier had more than enough 1^st round skill in his draft year but slid down to the 3rd round because his lackluster decision-making and effort level often drove scouts crazy. But credit where credit is due, as he really grew to recognize those weaknesses and committed himself to getting them to a workable level. The overall package right now looks very promising, as he became a key piece on a top AHL team in his first year as a pro. He can quarterback a powerplay with the best of then and can be effective in transition with how elusive he is with his hands and feet. Poirier is trending in the right direction as an offensive defenseman and could become a truly dynamic NHLer one day in that niche if he is allowed to play to his strengths and is used in a system that can minimize his weaknesses.

6. William Stromgren

The Flames used a pretty high draft pick on Stromgren because he occasionally flashes huge upside as a rangy, offensively dominant winger. He'll tease you with the odd play or shift where he looks like a truly exceptional talent. The problem is that he oscillates wildly between hot and cold, sometimes for long stretches. Even more perplexing, his best play at a professional level, to date, came during his draft year, and the two seasons since have been a mixed bag. That's a concerning sign since he has a lot of improvement left to make. However, he has already earned his entry-level contract because Calgary knows that there is still a chance that he one day becomes a legitimate top six scoring threat at the NHL level. With other scoring wingers in the system Stromgren will get as much time as he needs to marinate.

7. Cole Schwindt

Schwindt was an overlooked piece of the blockbuster Matthew Tkachuk-Jonathan Huberdeau trade, but if he keeps developing like he has over the past few years then that will surely change. He somewhat surprisingly became a number one center in Mississauga as an 18-year-old and really shined in that role, which is a good sign for how high his ceiling could still go. Luckily the COVID shutdowns didn't seem to stunt his growth too badly, as he hasn't looked out of place or overwhelmed since getting into the AHL. He is very athletic and toolsy and has shown the ability to continue learning how to utilize those tools. Schwindt should find his way into the NHL role at some point as a player who can move up or down a lineup, play wing or center, and chip in on both sides of special teams.

8. Yan Kuznetsov

Kuznetsov has played in four different leagues in the past five seasons, with some international tournaments mixed in as well. Amazingly, all those changes of scenery don't seem to have hindered his year over year progression, as where he is right now is pretty much in line with his projection dating back to his draft year. He also got a Memorial Cup title out of it last year with Saint John, which undoubtedly made his transfer to the QMJHL worth it. However, could he make even bigger gains if given a couple years of consistency with the Wranglers? There are no debates about what his game is or what he brings — he's a shutdown defender through and through — but he is a true specialist of that domain and could eventually become one of the better players in the NHL in that role.

9. Matthew Phillips

The fan discussions around Phillips this year, from Twitter to pubs and water coolers all across Calgary, has been fierce. Just why hasn't one of the best players in the AHL been given a proper look with his big club, especially when the Flames have struggled to score goals and win games? The answer isn't fully clear, even when the team has discussed it. Granted, players his size are seldomly successful in the NHL, but he also hasn't been given a real chance yet to prove himself. He competes hard, he's offensively crafty, and he's dangerous with the puck. The real X factor is whether or not his skating is good enough, as that is usually what makes or breaks a smaller player's chances. He's a pending unrestricted free agent, so it will be interesting to see if he decides to find another organization that might give him a more thorough NHL opportunity.

10. Emilio Pettersen

For a 6th-round pick, the Flames have to be pretty content with how far Pettersen has come in the six seasons since. The nifty Norwegian just gets better and better every year and has successfully transitioned his scoring ways from the USHL through the NCAA and now into the AHL. The jump to the NHL is the hardest one of all, but with his track record he seems capable of making it happen. Give him too much time and space in the offensive zone and he can make you pay in different ways. His short stature and short reach can deceive opposing defenders, as he is sturdier on his skates and harder to knock off the puck than he looks. If he does carve out an NHL career it will likely be more so as a supplementary scorer than a true top six guy.

MCKEEN’S 2022-23 NHL YEARBOOK – CALGARY FLAMES – Top 20 Prospects

Sun, 18 Sep 2022 15:15:24 +0000

ABBOTSFORD, BC - SEPTEMBER 27: Calgary Flames Left Wing Jakob Pelletier (49) plays the puck against the Vancouver Canucks during their NHL preseason game at the Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre on September 27, 2021 in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Devin Manky/Icon Sportswire)

1 -Jakob Pelletier LW

What an impressive pro debut Pelletier put forward last season. The former first round pick was nearly a point per game player for Stockton and was named to the AHL’s All Rookie team. One has to believe that this has him well positioned to be the replacement in Calgary’s top six for Gaudreau. If that is indeed the case, he would have to be considered one of the preseason favorites for the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s best rookie. If there is one thing that Pelletier has done since being drafted it has been to improve his quickness and speed. He now consistently makes plays at a high pace. Not necessarily a dynamic or creative offensive player, Pelletier relies on his ability to read the play, his quickness, and his tenaciousness to be an impactful player in the offensive end. Pelletier, while not large, is also a capable two-way player because he always seems to be around the puck and has worked hard to become stronger to overcome his lack of stature. Ironically, it seems like Pelletier will be competing with the older, yet equally smaller Matthew Phillips to replace the also diminutive Johnny Gaudreau. It’s a small world after all. While early projections had Pelletier pegged for more of a middle six role, his strong pro performance thus far and positive development trajectory has caused many to re-evaluate his upside. A future as a permanent top six fixture is not outside the realm of possibility. - BO

2 - Dustin Wolf G

While the selection of larger netminders and the avoidance of smaller netminders remains the predominant philosophy in today’s scouting landscape, the success of players like Dustin Wolf, Devon Levi and Juuse Saros (at the NHL level) has caused many to pause and reflect. There is just no way to possibly ignore what Wolf has been able to do the last three seasons: 2020 WHL goaltender of the year, 2021 WHL goaltender of the year, and 2022 AHL goaltender of the year (in his first year of pro hockey). His success with Stockton last year, in particular, is the most impressive given the usual adjustment period for CHL netminders upon turning pro. Undersized or not (at 6’0), Wolf has emerged as one of the top goaltending prospects in the world. Like any successful smaller netminder, Wolf is extremely athletic and possesses an aggressive mentality to help him fight through crowds to gain and hold his position. He is also technically efficient and holds his ground well, ensuring that he does not give away the upper portion of the net too early. Other than a lack of size (giving him less room for error), Wolf really does not have a true weakness in the crease. He has the potential to be one of the best goaltenders in the NHL. When that happens…well that remains to be seen. Jacob Markstrom has another four years remaining on his contract. If Wolf continues to perform well, he should begin to apply internal pressure as early as the next season. - BO

3 - Matthew Coronato RW

As a member of the Chicago Steel, a USHL powerhouse, in his draft season, Matthew Coronato seemed to score at will. With a team filled to the brim with top prospects, it looked like there was no challenge the USHL could present that Coronato and the Steel could not meet. The five-foot-ten Coronato’s high energy level combined with his immense skill with the puck on his stick to form an offensive chance-creator that few USHL defensemen were equipped to properly handle. As a freshman at Harvard, many wondered if Coronato’s offensive game would translate to the NCAA level, where defenders would be bigger, faster, and smarter than those in the USHL. Coronato answered those questions as a freshman at Harvard, scoring at above a point-per-game rate. Coronato’s motor and skill level, the two main tools that carried him to success in Chicago, were readily apparent at Harvard. His speed and relentless offensive style were often too much for college defenders to handle, and many were left looking to simply pick up the pieces after a Coronato-generated scoring chance. Coronato’s adept at creating space for both himself and his teammates through his skating and his puck skills. Coronato’s offensive game is based on problem-solving rather than simply beating his opponents on his talent alone. That, along with Coronato’s work ethic and energy level, provides safety to his pro projection. Coronato has a chance to become a meaningful top-six scorer in the NHL, and even if his development stagnates a bit, he still looks like a relatively safe bet to play NHL games as a secondary offensive option. - EH

4 - Adam Ruzicka C

The Calgary Flames have had to be patient with Ruzicka but that patience is certainly paying off. Not only did Ruzicka improve in every year of his OHL career, but he has done the same over his three professional seasons thus far, culminating with his best to date last season. This was rewarded with a 28-game stint in Calgary that saw him score five goals. One thing that Ruzicka has worked very hard on over his pro career is on improving his conditioning, which would subsequently improve his pace of play and explosiveness. The 6’4 center is not someone that you would call a traditional power forward, but he can and does use his power to push his way to the net, succeeding through the middle of the ice. He has also worked hard to improve his play away from the puck and his physical engagement, something that will need to improve further if he wants to get into Darryl Sutter’s good books. No longer exempt from waivers, Ruzicka would need to clear waivers to be sent to the AHL this coming season. Given his progression, it seems unlikely that Calgary would do that. As such, he probably has the inside track at the fourth line center role for the Flames and he does have eventual upside as a middle six option for Calgary. - BO

5 - Jeremie Poirier D

Jérémie Poirier is an offensive-minded with tremendous tools and upside. Poirier’s got everything you could dream of offensively: He’s an amazing puck handler, a great skater and has a booming shot from the point. However, he’s not so great defensively and that’s why he slipped all the way to Calgary in the third round of the 2020 NHL draft. It’s also why he didn’t get named to the Canadian WJC team. However, there is some optimism that after he helped win the Memorial Cup this season with the Sea Dogs, Poirier has turned a corner. Jérémie will be on his way to the AHL to play with the Calgary Wranglers this coming season and how his first AHL season will go remains unpredictable. Can he defend at the pro level against men? Does he have the consistent compete level and engagement level to be a reliable pro? If he produces at an elite clip offensively, he still has a chance to be an NHL player in some capacity, even if his defensive game remains a weakness. However, if he wants to become a top four defender who does not need to be sheltered, there is much work to be done. - EB

6 - Matthew Phillips RW

At some point in a young player’s career, they hit a crossroads. Matthew Phillips is most definitely at that crossroads. The undersized scoring star had to be somewhat insulted when Calgary waived him after training camp and no NHL teams claimed him. He responded by having his best pro season, leading the Flames’ AHL affiliate in scoring. This earned him another one-year deal from Calgary, likely his last contract in the Flames’ organization if he is not able to take that next step as an NHL player this year. There are spots up for grabs in Calgary’s forward lineup this season and competition will be fierce in training camp. Phillips has to realize that not only is he auditioning for Calgary, but also the other NHL franchises, as should they waive him again, he would be hoping for a claim and a fresh start this time around. He is not the type of player who is going to make a living in the bottom six. He’s not a physical player or a strong defensive presence. He is in the lineup to create offense and he needs to prove that he can do that at the NHL level, playing against and escaping from larger defenders. He needs to find a way to get himself inside the hash marks. While undersized, Phillips is a strong skater, especially in terms of agility and elusiveness. However, playing through contact with the puck has been an issue at Calgary training camps previously. On a prospect list like ours, Phillips is still going to rank fairly high because of his high offensive upside. However, time is unquestionably running out. - BO

7 - Connor Zary C

A former first round selection by Calgary in 2020, Zary’s development since then has not been terrific. There was some concern that his lack of dynamic skating ability would inhibit him from reaching his potential at the pro level and those concerns proved to be legitimate after a disappointing first AHL season last year. The former Kamloops Blazer standout is definitely an intelligent player. That is why he still has the potential to develop into a high-end middle six center. It would be absolutely foolish to write him off after last season. His two-way understanding and sense are terrific. He has a strong shot. He shows good vision down low and can work the wall well. It is just that his pace needs to increase, and his four-way quickness needs to continue to improve. With a few openings in Calgary (leading to AHL graduations like Pelletier and Phillips), Zary should play higher up on the depth chart in the AHL this coming season. Hopefully this leads to more consistent production and improved confidence. After this year, based on the adjustments he makes, we should get a much better idea of how far away Zary is from making an impact at the NHL level and what his potential might be. - BO

8 - Cole Schwindt RW

Newly acquired from the Panthers in the Matthew Tkachuk deal, Schwindt is coming off of a strong professional debut in the AHL (discounting the 10 games he played the year prior with the OHL shut down). The rangy pivot is already a defensive standout and is someone who can be groomed to be a shutdown center at the NHL level. He has worked hard across his OHL career and thus far as a pro to improve his speed and quickness. This will be critical for him if he wants to be a true standout in a checking line role at the NHL level. His three-zone awareness is definitely a strength; his positioning and anticipation in the defensive zone, in particular, is extremely strong. Schwindt can have a positive effect on the transition game too, with how he protects the puck as a carrier, and this makes him a strong playmaker from the middle of the ice. Ultimately, Schwindt’s offensive upside as an NHL player is not likely significant. In fact, his performance as an AHL rookie was actually a pleasant surprise, as it was expected that he was a bit more of a longer-term project. Instead, he already has three NHL games under his belt. Is Schwindt a darkhorse to earn a bottom six role with the Flames this year? Definitely. However, he will need to beat out more experienced, homegrown Calgary prospects. In all likelihood, he spends another year in the AHL and then is ready to assume a permanent role as a penalty killer and defensive specialist in the NHL. - BO

9 - Rory Kerins C

There were quite a few major breakout stars in the OHL this past season, considering that the league was on hiatus the year prior. One of those was Soo Greyhounds forward Rory Kerins, who went from being under a point per game in his NHL draft year to the OHL’s second leading scorer this past year. More of a complementary player the last time we saw him, Kerins became a dominant offensive player, both at even strength and on the powerplay. His IQ and awareness have always been strengths, but his skill and confidence with the puck were much improved. He also has a good shot and a competitive streak, something that will serve him well at the next level given that he is below six feet. The range of outcomes for Kerins as a pro are vast; he is an extremely versatile player whose offensive explosion was not necessarily expected. How much this newfound offensive confidence carries over to the pro level will depend on how he can continue to upgrade his quickness. Few smaller forwards are able to play key offensive roles in the NHL without being above average skaters. Kerins’ pro journey begins this coming season in the AHL. There could be some growing pains and patience may be required. However, Kerins should eventually find a niche and develop into an option for the Flames. - BO

10 - Topi Ronni C

The 6’2”, 183-pound Rönni is a top-flight athlete with very little body fat. His size is ideal, and his frame is ready for the addition of muscle, a necessity in the development of Calgary’s 2022 2^nd round pick. The astute center kicked off his draft season with a 6-point performance at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup. He followed that up with 31 points in 32 total U20 games, adding some time in both Mestis (2 games) and Liiga (19 games) for good measure. In the latter stop, he showed that he should be ready for full time Liiga action this season. Rönni also represented Finland at the U18 Worlds, contributing 4 points to a bronze medal outcome. Very aware of his defensive duties and constantly hovering around the slot and corners of his own end of the rink ready to pick up his assignment, Rönni shines as a supportive player who excels in first-pass transition. He is highly adept at getting open for passes and then shooting or moving the puck quickly. He has a solid wrist shot and makes regular use of it. On the attack, he likes to position himself in the opposing slot. Rönni can be a fluid skater but needs to add lower body strength. His solid skill set will be more valuable when he is able to push his legs more often and bring consistent energy in his shifts. Calgary surely sees him as a future middle six center at the NHL level. – CL

11 - Yan Kuznetsov

Kuznetsov started the year in the AHL but was loaned to the QMJHL to close out the year. His offensive upside may be limited, but he projects as a dependable third pairing, shutdown defender.

12 - Mathias Emilio Pettersen

The former University of Denver standout has struggled to be a consistent offensive player at the AHL level so far, but it is too early to give up on the Norwegian’s high offensive ceiling.

13 - Martin Pospisil

Pospisil is about as tenacious as they come, never taking a shift off. However, he may be more talented offensively than we give him credit for. Look for him to be a fourth line winger for Calgary as early as this coming season.

14 - William Stromgren

A high selection in 2021, Stromgren’s draft +1 year wasn't a success. The speedy winger was not even a truly impact player at the J20 level. Calgary will be hoping to see progression this season.

15 - Jack Beck

One of the OHL’s most intelligent players, Beck’s season was derailed by a serious injury to his kidney. He has improved his skating and remains a solid two-way presence. Look for him to have a big 2022/23 season with the 67’s.

16 - Ilya Nikolayev

A strong skating playmaking center, Nikolayev played last year in the USHL as an overager. His performance was encouraging, and he will now try to take that next step in the AHL.

17 - Daniel Vladar

Perhaps a stretch to include Vladar as a prospect after spending all of last year as Calgary’s back-up but he still fits our qualification standards. The big, Czech netminder will return to the role this season.

18 - Cameron Whynot

An athletic defender with Halifax, Whynot’s offensive game has been a disappointment, but he does possess some intriguing qualities that could make him a defensive type at the NHL level.

19 - Daniil Chechelev

Playing on an AHL deal, Chechelev struggled to be a consistent starter at the ECHL level last year, his first in North America. Given Dustin Wolf’s place in the AHL, Chechelev may return to the ECHL again this year.

20 - Cole Huckins

The power forward gets a fresh start in the QMJHL this season with Sherbrooke, after struggling with Acadie-Bathurst last year. He still needs to upgrade his skating.

2021-22 TOP 15 PROSPECTS: CALGARY FLAMES – RANK: #15 – TIER III

McKeen's Hockey — Fri, 10 Sep 2021 15:22:57 +0000

Calgary Flames

#15 Calgary - Without too many guys expected to graduate, the Calgary system should be ranked higher next season. Strong recent draft classes portend well for the future.

Connor Zary

Connor Zary - C

After getting chosen 24^th overall by the Flames, Zary got an immediate taste of pro hockey, dressing in nine AHL games for the Stockton Heat due to special pandemic circumstances. He didn’t look out of place, registering seven points before being returned to the WHL’s Blazers where he finished his junior career on a strong note for a stacked Kamloops team.

Perhaps it shouldn’t be a surprise that Zary fared so well in his pro debut, as he plays a pro-style game with a nose for the net. He can operate in tight spaces and doesn’t shy away from physical play. An intelligent player with incredible passion for the game, Zary’s attention to detail makes him a versatile option for coaches. He can be deployed on the penalty kill or on the powerplay and can play in the middle or on the wing. Although his skating is average at best, Zary possesses a good first step and always keeps his feet moving. He is well-rounded in the other parts of his game and works tirelessly to improve. His offense will likely translate well to the next level as he is comfortable scoring pro-style goals and distributes well. He is likely destined for the AHL in 2021-22 but could earn a cup of coffee in the NHL at some point in the season if he continues to impress. - AS

Matthew Coronato - RW

The 2021 USHL forward of the year, Coronato is an elite and consistent offensive threat. He went seven games during the regular season this year without getting on the scoresheet for the Chicago Steel (he received a game misconduct in the first period of one of those games), only once in consecutive games. He had eight games of three or more points, including two five-pointers. It was no different in the post-season, with two games without points, and two with three or more points.

The Long Island native’s success comes from a combination of high-end skating, with a high-end shot and high-end puck skills. His skating blends above average top speed, plus edges and a near-elite motor that doesn’t stop. After all, he led the USHL in goals by 16. He literally scored 50% more goals than the league runner-up. As much as Coronato needs to refine his game, especially his playmaking ability. The growth he showed this past season was encouraging and demonstrates that he is willing to adapt to what is needed as he continues his development. He will be attending Harvard this coming season, hoping to lead the program to a strong season after their season long pandemic related hiatus. He has first line upside and middle six downside and was a great selection by the Flames this year. - McKeen’s Draft Guide 2021

Jakob Pelletier - LW

After a big move in the off-season, following his change of address, expectations were very high for the young Pelletier. As usual, he answered very well. He has led his team in points, both in season and in the playoffs. He also did well for Canada at the last World Juniors where he won the silver medal and played a key role. He has been an inspiration to his team with his hard work and involvement. He's still the same talented player who shows up night after night.

He still has to add a little more muscle to his frame to be able to play his brand of hockey consistently. This is really the only question mark. It has been reported that he's training really hard right now for next training camp in Calgary, using the bitter loss in the QMJHL playoff final as a motivation. There is no question that Pelletier has a chance to play NHL games for the Flames this season, however it is more likely that he plays out the season in the AHL so that he can continue to improve his strength, while simultaneously adjusting to the strength of pro defenders. He projects as a top six, high energy forward for the Flames in the future. - BB

William Stromgren - LW

Despite being the leading scorer among U18 players during his half season of action in the Allsvenskan (Sweden’s second men’s league), leading the entire J20 North Conference in goal scoring and exceeding one point per game in the third division of HockeyEttan, Stromgren still somehow makes the viewer think he can do more than he does. A tall and still lanky winger, he is deceptively fast, able to blow past defenders without looking like he is pushing himself too hard. And in situations where speed isn’t as helpful, such as in tight quarters, he has the puckhandling moves to find a way to shake free anyway. He also has another potentially high-end weapon in his shot, which features both deception (his wrist shot) and power (wrist shot and slap shot).

All of his obvious skills aside, he fell to the mid second round for a reason. He has a tendency to rush decisions and turnover pucks in situations where a touch more poise or hesitation would have allowed him to further the attack. Additionally, despite his size and reach, he only infrequently gets involved in puck battles, or takes the body. This isn’t to say that Stromgren plays a soft game, but his physical presence is lacking too often. The pieces are all there to be a productive, top six producer for the Flames in the future, they just may need to be patient with him, as he matures physically and grows into his game. - McKeen’s Draft Guide 2021

Dustin Wolf - G

Wolf had a forgettable AHL debut but followed with two bounce-back performances as a 19-year-old playing pro, before getting shipped back to Everett where he posted ungodly numbers to finish his junior career as the WHL record holder for best all-time save percentage (.935), surpassing former teammate Carter Hart. He also finished second in GAA (1.84) and third in shutouts (24). He has a year of junior eligibility remaining but has nothing left to prove at that level and will almost certainly play pro in 2021-22.

Wolf is an undersized, technically strong goalie with excellent athleticism and reflexes. His positioning helps mitigate his lack of size to fill the net and his lateral movement is quick but composed, not over-committing and taking himself out of plays. He reads the play well and has a good understanding of rebound control. Wolf is adept at handling the puck and has a calm demeanor in the net that allows him to bounce back from bad goals or games. He needs to fight through traffic to track pucks better and can be vulnerable up high due to his small stature combined with propensity to go down into the butterfly early, relying a bit too much on reflexes at times. Overall, his stock has risen dramatically for a 7^th-round pick in 2019 and the future looks promising for Wolf, who now needs pro seasoning to take the next step in development. - AS

Adam Ruzicka - C

Patience can be a virtue when it comes to developing NHL players and Adam Ruzicka is the perfect example of that. Originally drafted in the fourth round by Calgary in 2017, Ruzicka improved in every season he played in the OHL, eventually graduating the league as an impact player. However, the reset button had to be hit after his first pro season two years ago, as Ruzicka struggled with the pace of play and the strength required of the AHL with Stockton. On que, this past season saw marked improvement as Ruzicka led Stockton in scoring, even earning a quick look by the Flames.

The key to Ruzicka’s development has always been his ability to use his large frame and size more consistently. At 6’4, 200lbs, he can truly dominate time of possession down low and can find his way to soft spots in coverage, so long as the work rate remains high. In the OHL, it took him time to figure that out. The same can be said about his time in the AHL after a breakout sophomore season. It should be expected that Ruzicka will probably take a few seasons to truly adjust to the NHL too. He projects as a high end third line center and may even get his shot this year to crack the Calgary lineup full time. - BO

Jeremie Poirier - D

Statistically, it was a superb season for Jérémie Poirier. However, one cannot say that there was significant improvement on the points he needed to work on. While he is taking less risks and has learned to pick his spots better, he still lacks that explosiveness as a skater and consistent effort in the defensive end. That being said, with the puck, he has become less selfish and more altruistic this season (in the way he plays). He finished fourth among defenders for the number of points in the Courteau league, with nine goals and 28 assists in 33 games. The term Boom or Bust applies perfectly to him.

At this point it is unlikely that he will become a complete defender who can eat up huge minutes among professionals. However, his undeniable offensive assets mean that he could make a line-up to add punch in transitional attacks or on the power play. Poirier will return to Saint John of the QMJHL next season for his final junior year. The hope is that he can improve his defensive consistency, while also continuing to be one of the league’s best offensive defenders. - BB

Yan Kuznetsov - D

Kuznetsov has tremendous size, a commendable and advanced off-the-puck game (primed for a shut-down role in the pros), good-enough mobility for his size, and minimal ability to create an offensive impact. He left Russia at age 16 to play in America, spending one year with Sioux Falls of the USHL, before joining the most European team in collegiate hockey, Connecticut. He impressed as a true freshman, playing regularly against Hockey East foes before his 18^th birthday, and even if he wasn’t putting up big numbers, his poise and understanding of the flow of the game won him many admirers.

Long on the radar for Russia’s age-based national teams, he was selected last year to represent his homeland at the WJC, and he maintained his regular game at that level, too. That consists of creating turnovers through smart stick placement, angling off rushers to kill threats, practically perfect positioning to take away opportunities for opposition advancement in the zone, and stopping potential shooting lanes. It was almost to be expected that he was not able to contribute on the score sheet at all at the tournament, but that is rarely his game anyway. Even with the game getting faster and more skilled, there is still room for a few shutdown blueliners on every roster, who can hold the zone while the skill defenders catch their collective breaths. Kuznetsov turned pro after Connecticut was finished last year, and he is likely to get at least two years in the AHL before getting a prolonged NHL look. - RW

Connor Mackey - D

The very definition of a late-bloomer, Mackey was playing high school hockey in his native Illinois in his first draft season. It is no surprise that he wasn’t drafted, even though his father played 126 games in the NHL. After a season on the Team Illinois U18 blueline, he was drafted into the USHL, where he showed progress over two years in the Green Bay Gamblers system. From there, he went to the spiritual home of late bloomers in the NCAA, suiting up with Minnesota State. After helping the Mavericks to three straight WCHA titles, taking on a more and more central role to the transition in each season, the Flames signed him as an undrafted free agent days after his junior season ended.

Well-built and a plus skater, Mackey hit the ground running as a pro, playing roughly the same role with Stockton in the AHL as he had in college. He ended the year with a well-deserved stint on the Calgary blueline – scoring his first NHL goal - and then suiting up for Team USA at the World Championships. Because of his age when signing out of college, his Entry Level deal was only a one-year number, meaning his leash to establish himself as a veritable NHLer is short. Assuming he comes to terms soon on a second contract with Calgary, his path to a third pairing role is pretty clear. The risk here is the thin line between a solid #5 NHL blueliner and the AHL, or Europe. - RW

Mathias Emilio Pettersen - RW

On the one hand, Pettersen’s first pro season was middling, with just under one point every other game for AHL Stockton. He additionally failed to produce with his native Norway at the year-end World Championships (one goal in six games), although the latter issue was not all on him, as only seven players put up more than two points. But last year was the type of year for which anyone can get a mulligan if they need it. Pettersen flashed dynamic abilities before the Flames drafted him out of Muskegon in the USHL and he didn’t stumble at all in his two years of high-level college hockey at the University of Denver.

A smooth and exciting skater with eyebrow-raising puck skills, Pettersen’s challenge at every level has been his ability to bring his ‘A’ game every day. There are games where he will bring you out of your seat, and games where you will not have noticed that he played at all. Pettersen has great vision and passing skills, but any chance at an NHL career will necessitate him showing that ability with greater regularity, as well as proving that he can contribute to a winning team even if his offensive work isn’t there. He might be ‘boom-or-bust’ but he makes this list because you have to take the chance to see if the ‘boom’ scenario can play out. - RW

Daniel Vladar - G

Recently acquired from the Boston Bruins, Vladar has the inside track at the back-up job behind Markstrom this season. The giant Czech netminder has been excellent in the AHL the last two seasons and has earned an extended look.

Emil Heineman - LW

One of the pieces acquired in the Sam Bennett deal, Heineman is an explosive North/South winger with goal scoring potential. He will play his second full season in the SHL this year with Leksands and will look to build upon his solid rookie year.

Cameron Whynot - D

Whynot is a strong skating two-way defender who was recently a third-round pick by Calgary in 2021. The Halifax blueliner will return to the Q this season and Calgary is hoping that he tightens up his decision making to be a more consistent contributor.

Matthew Phillips - RW

Yes, he is undersized, coming in around 5’7 and 155lbs. However, he has produced offensively at every level he has played at, including the AHL the last few years. No longer exempt from waivers, the time is now for Phillips to secure a full-time roster spot with Calgary.

Rory Kerins - C

Kerins played very sparingly this past season with the OHL on hiatus. The competitive two-way forward has a real nose for the net but must continue to improve his skating ability to be a successful pro player.