If Hickey isn't a blue-chipper, I think he is close.
His skating is exceptional - not good, but exceptional. He has a good shot from the point, is a great puck-mover, likes to play a rugged game, and is good defensively. He is about as a complete of a prospect as one could hope for.
I don't think he is NHL ready, but I do think he will be an NHL defencemen. It is fun just watching Hickey skate. I think he is right up there with Brodie and Kylington for pure skating ability, and is joining the organization being a more complete player than Kylington or Brodie were (though his time in the NCAA has really helped with that, so it definitely isn't a fair comparison).
I really look forward to Hickey, actually. Though I still like Kylington more just due to his higher ceiling (which is my opinion anyways), I think that Hickey might be the best of the bunch out of any of the current defensive Flames' prospects.
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