Update to the Flames' Top 20 Prospects

[Cali Panthers Fan]

From Hockey's Future written yesterday:

http://www.hockeysfuture.com/article...te/#more-87017

Pretty encouraging to see the progress this year with some of the newer Weisbrod/Feaster prospects.

Rather predictably disappointing with the older Sutter prospects falling by the way-side. Is Nemisz yet another first round bust?

It looks like the goaltending cupboard is pretty full right now. I think Ramo comes over next season no matter what happens with Kipper. Ortio plays starter minutes next year in Europe, more than likely Brossoit gets starter minutes in Abbotsford, and Gillies will continue to start for Providence. 3 young guys who all have good talent (Gillies being the best of the bunch IMO) and all 2-3 years away from pushing for NHL jobs. The one thing the Flames don't need at this moment is another goaltending prospect (unless it's a can't miss guy, but I don't see any of those to be had).

The defense is stocked with guys that are good defensively and most play a solid physical game. Breen, Wotherspoon, Sieloff, and even Ramage all look to have 4-6 potential. Kulak and Culkin are of the more puck moving variety but their futures are more uncertain at this point. We don't seem to have that top minute d-man that can do everything well. If we get the first overall pick Seth Jones would fill that role nicely.

Centers are a mixed bag still, but some guys that can play solid checking roles and add a little offense in Arnold and Reinhart. Bouma and Byron are probably better suited to winger roles going forward. Jankowski is beginning to adjust to a better league and is filling out his frame. He's clearly going to take another 3 years to develop into a top six talent, but patience could pay off big time with him. Granlund? He was above average at the world juniors but he hasn't made much noise besides that. MacKinnon still seems like an obvious 1st round choice for us.

The wingers have some high end talent in Baertschi and Gaudreau, but both are undersized. Ferland had an up and down year and Howse is almost done as a pro unless he takes a big stride next year. Nemisz continues to fall as a prospect. He cannot seem to get any consistency in his offensive game despite improving other areas. He's another guy that needs to come back stronger next year if he ever hopes to make the NHL. Byron could still be a decent 2nd/3rd line player and Bouma looks to be a 3rd/4th line winger for the Flames very soon too. We still need a big strong scoring right winger to balance out the lineup.

All in all, good news, but still some big holes to fill.

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

While I'm not always big on these lists, I don't think it's so farfetched to have Lamb in the top-20 prospects on this team.

Last night, he looked like a top prospect. He's been getting steadier and steadier the more ice time he gets. Plus, he's the only guy on the team that goes out of his way to smash an unsuspecting forward.

Honestly, can't argue with the top 5.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

I'd have Jankowksi ahead of Reinhart.

I'd have Gillies higher.

Wouldn't even have Howse on the list.

Not a bad effort.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

Wouldn't even have Howse on the list.

Yeah, I was surprised by that too. I would put Aliu ahead of him right now, and that's saying something. He can barely keep up in the ECHL...doesn't bode well for his pro career.

[devo22]

Kulak should be on the list.

[Ring of Fire]

The Hockey News has Calgary's top 10 as:
1. Baertschi
2. Gaudreau
3. Jankowski
4. Breen
5. Sieloff
6. Wotherspoon
7. Granlund
8. Brossoit
9. Gillies
10. Reinhart

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by Cali Flames Fan

From Hockey's Future written yesterday:

Originally Posted by Hockey's Future Regarding Gaudreau

He is a clutch goal scorer that plays like a greased watermelon

... a greased watermelon? That's a pretty tortured metaphor.

[edslunch]

I like that the flames have two shutdown centres in their top 10. Something they are sorely lacking.

[moon]

Originally Posted by edslunch

I like that the flames have two shutdown centres in their top 10. Something they are sorely lacking.

They do?

Not trying to be a troublemaker but what 2?

[edslunch]

"Reinhart has been the shutdown centerman at the AHL level for Abbotsford while being their best penalty killer and playing with bottom-six forwards."

"Arnold has another year at the NCAA level with Boston College and has already won a National Championship while scoring some important goals for his team. The junior has been the Eagles' shutdown center, top penalty killer for the last two seasons, and plays on the power play as well. He has the potential to be a solid NHL centerman in the very near future for the Flames."

[edslunch]

I'm pretty interested to see how Arnold progresses. Could be a sleeper

[moon]

Fair enough I don't see either of them playing at the NHL level (or Arnold on the list) and certainly not at a shutdown level.

[Calgary4LIfe]

DeBlouw from what I hear would be considered a "Shut-down Center" as well. Faceoff guy, very quick and a PK specialist (and much more offensive than many thought he would be).

[Ashasx]

Since I always like to give my opinion when given the opportunity, here's my list with my own silly letter grades:

1. Sven Baertschi: 8.5C (4.5 yellow stars)
2. John Gaudreau: 8.5D (4.5 red stars)
3. Mark Jankowski: 8.0D (4.0 red stars)
4. Bill Arnold: 7.0B (3.5 green stars)
5. Jon Gillies: 7.5D (4.0 red stars)
6. Laurent Brossoit: 7.5D (4.0 red stars)
7. Max Reinhart: 7.5C (4.0 yellow stars)
8. Tyler Wotherspoon: 6.5B (3.5 yellow stars)
9. Patrick Sieloff: 7.0C (3.5 yellow stars)
10. Brett Kulak: 7.0D (3.5 red stars)
11. Ryan Culkin: 7.0D (3.5 red stars)
12. Lance Bouma: 6.0A (3.0 green stars)
13. Chris Breen: 6.0B (3.0 yellow stars)
14. Michael Ferland: 7.0D (3.5 red stars)
15. Markus Granlund: 6.5D (3.5 red stars)

...that was fun.

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Alright, I'll bite. In terms of likelihood of being NHL regulars, here's how I'd rank our top 15 prospects:

1. Sven Baertschi
2. Chris Breen
3. Tyler Wotherspoon
4. Patrick Sieloff
5. John Gaudreau
6. Jon Gillies
7. Max Reinhart
8. John Ramage
9. Laurent Brossoit
10. Ryan Culkin
11. Brett Kulak
12. Bill Arnold
13. Markus Granlund
14. Michael Ferland
15. Brady Lamb

16. Matt Deblouw
17. Carter Bancks

*Note: I didn't rank Bouma because I think he's already a Flame and hopefully he can return to full form from his season-ending injury.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Pierre "Monster" McGuire

Alright, I'll bite. In terms of likelihood of being NHL regulars, here's how I'd rank our top 15 prospects:

1. Sven Baertschi
2. Chris Breen
3. Tyler Wotherspoon
4. Patrick Sieloff
5. John Gaudreau
6. Jon Gillies
7. Max Reinhart
8. John Ramage
9. Laurent Brossoit
10. Ryan Culkin
11. Brett Kulak
12. Bill Arnold
13. Markus Granlund
14. Michael Ferland
15. Brady Lamb

16. Matt Deblouw
17. Carter Bancks

*Note: I didn't rank Bouma because I think he's already a Flame and hopefully he can return to full form from his season-ending injury.

So why do you hate Jankowski?

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

So why do you hate Jankowski?

Woops. I was going to put him a tiny bit further down the list, but not that far haha. I'd probably put him just ahead of Gaudreau.

[neo45]

I think Ortio, Gilles, and Brossoit all have around the same chance of being an NHL goalie. All are very good picks at this point in time

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by neo45

I think Ortio, Gilles, and Brossoit all have around the same chance of being an NHL goalie. All are very good picks at this point in time

For me, it comes down to the tools that they have. The NHL is all about big goalies now.

Gillies.....6'5"
Brossoit..6'3"
Ortio......6'1"

Obviously, size isn't everything, but I would rank their chances exactly in relation to their size.

I think Gillies has the size, the technique, and - with limited evidence so far - the demeaner to be an NHL goalie. I am really looking forward to seeing him get the starting job at the WJC this year.

[CaptainCrunch]

I'm really interested in watching Ferland and Arnold over the next few years.

Ferland had some major breakdowns caused by a lack of maturity. If he can find that with his on ice mind set and size he could be a sleeper

Arnold is a smart steady player with a good understanding of the game and good skating skills.