View Single Post
Old 09-30-2016, 04:42 PM   #1
getbak
Franchise Player
 
getbak's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Calgary, AB
Exp:
Default 2016-17 Flames' CHL Prospects, General Discussion Thread

The major junior season is underway for the year, and the Flames have sent a bunch of players back to their junior squads after Training Camp, so it's time for another prospects discussion thread.

The Flames have a lot of players in the CHL this season, and some who are currently on the bubble who could see a return to junior.


Let's look at them by Draft Class (players in grey can play either in the AHL/ECHL or CHL this season / players in red must be sent back to the CHL if they don't make the NHL / players in black have either already been returned the Junior, or should be shortly)...

2014 Draft
  • Mason McDonald (G) | TBA/Charlottetown (QMJHL) -- McDonald could be returned to Charlottetown as an overage player this season, but I doubt that will happen. He's more likely to be sent to the ECHL to get plenty of playing time within the Flames' organization.

All other players from the 2014 Draft played full professional seasons last year.


2015 Draft
  • Riley Bruce (D) | North Bay Battalion (OHL) -- Bruce has already been returned to the OHL. Last week, he was named North Bay's Captain for this season: http://battalionhockey.com/article/b...-troops-opener

  • Nick Schneider (G) | Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL) -- Although not drafted, Schneider was acquired in the summer of 2015 as a UFA signing. Schneider saw action in Stockton after the end of the Tigers season last year, amassing a 4-5 record in 9 games with the Heat.

  • Andrew Mangiapane (LW) | TBA/Barrie Colts (OHL) -- Mangiapane had an outstanding season last year with the Barrie Colts. Because he is already 20 years-old, he can play pro this season, or he could be returned to Barrie as an overage player. He seems to have accomplished all he can at the OHL level and is ready for the challenge of going pro. I expect him to play this season in Stockton.

  • Rasmus Andersson (D) | TBA/Barrie Colts (OHL) -- Like his bread eating Colt teammate, Andersson also has a 1996 birth year and can either play pro or be returned to the OHL. Also, like Mangiapane, I expect Andersson to spend the season with the Heat. The Flames have concerns about his off-ice commitment to healthy living and it's easier to keep an eye on him if he's playing in the organization.

Pavel Karnaukhov is the last former-CHLer from the 2015 Draft, but he chose to return to Europe this season and is playing for CSKA Moscow in the KHL.


2016 Draft
  • Matthew Tkachuk (LW) | TBA/London Knights (OHL) -- Chosen 6th overall in this summer's Draft, Tkachuk has been lining up on the left side of Sam Bennett and Troy Brouwer during the Flames' training camp and preseason games. This points towards Tkachuk being given a prime opportunity to make the Flames to start the season. He should get at least his nine game look before the Flames have to decide whether or not to burn the first year of his ELC. If he is returned to Junior, he should be a leader on the London Knights, as they attempt to repeat as Memorial Cup Champions.

  • Tyler Parsons (G) | London Knights (OHL) -- The Memorial Cup winning goalie is expected to see some action in the Flames' preseason game against Vancouver tonight. I expect to see him sent back to London tomorrow morning. He could certainly be the Flames' goalie for the future, but this year, he'll be back in the OHL trying to defend his Championship.

  • Dillon Dube (C) | Kelowna Rockets (WHL) -- A point-per-game player last season for the Rockets, Dube was released from Flames' camp the other day. The Cochrane native is the youngest player in the Flames' system and will likely require another two seasons in the WHL before he's ready to turn pro.

  • Eetu Tuulola (RW) | Everett Silvertips (WHL) -- A solid young prospect who is making the transition to North America this season. He had 3 points in 4 preseason games with the Silvertips before joining the Flames for Training Camp. Because he was drafted out of Finland, he is not subject to the NHL-CHL agreement and could potentially go to the AHL next season, but this year, he'll learn the North American game in Everett.

  • Matthew Phillips (C) | Victoria Royals (WHL) -- A small, speedy, talented centre. The Calgary native was the WHL's Rookie of the Year last season.

  • Stepan Falkovsky (D) | TBA/Ottawa (OHL) -- Falkovsky is a massive Belarusian who played last season with the Ottawa 67s. He turns 20 before the end of the year, which means he's considered an OHL overage player. Because he's also a European import, he would take up both an overage and import spot on a team's roster. For that reason, it may be difficult for him to find a roster spot in the CHL this season. Because of his age, he could play pro this year. I wouldn't be surprised to see him assigned to the ECHL.


Things should start getting a little more clear over the next week or so as the AHL and NHL seasons get closer.
__________________
Turn up the good, turn down the suck!
getbak is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following 15 Users Say Thank You to getbak For This Useful Post: