Hockey Writers top 10 flames prospects

[Gord Wappel]

I didn't find any threads on ,.. yesterdays article.

http://thehockeywriters.com/top-ten-...s-spring-2013/

I know basically little about most these guys. Like to hear what others here say.

who are these "Hockey Writers" anyways.
There, I just wrote "Hockey" too (three times even).

[Roof-Daddy]

Good write up, and I don't mind the rankings really.

A little surprised Jankowski didn't make the top ten, but I can understand it given the fact he's a long ways out yet.

I have a feeling Kulak is going to jump up the Flames prospect rankings over the next year or two, and that's even with the Flames picking three times in the first round this year. Kid reminds me a lot of TJ Brodie when I've seen him play. Smart, and skates really well.

Two goalies in our top five is interesting, and plausible in my view. Feaster has done a really good job of restocking the goalie cupboard since taking over, hopefully one or more of them turn out to be the real deal at the NHL level. Big and athletic goalies too, I like that.

Interestingly, no mention of the newly acquired Cundari, or the rapidly improving Breen, who are both 23, and not yet full time NHLers.

Also, Markus Granlund, Joni Ortio and Paul Byron completely omitted as well, which is understandable, but IMO just goes to show how quickly our prospect pool seems to be improving.

My top ten:

1. Baertschi
2. Gaudreau
3. Cundari
4. Gillies
5. Jankowski
6. Horak
7. Reinhart
8. Brossoit
9. Agostino
10. Wotherspoon

HM - Breen, Bouma, Arnold, Hanowski, Granlund, Kulak, Sieloff, Culkin

[GreenLantern]

Pretty much what RD said, I was a bit surprised to see Jankowski off the list but again he is adjusting to the NCAA game.

I would rank my top ten (based on how excited I am about the player):

1. Baertschi
2. Gaudreau
3. Reinhart
4. Bouwma
5. Gillies
6. Horak
7. Wotherspoon
8. Broissot
9. Cundari
10. Jankowski


Obviously this isn't going to be as informed as a lot of other opinions as I have limited exposure to a lot of the players... but from my limited followings that is about where I would put it.

I am really excited to see either Wotherspoon or Broissot in the memorial cup.. I think it is looking more like Wotherspoon right now. Along with many potential draft pick choices.. got my tickets, can't wait.

[Freeway]

I'm not entirely sold on Cundari yet. He was a depth guy in Peoria and I'm not sure where he fits in yet in Calgary.

I foresee Jankowski jumping up a bit next year.

[Vulcan]

Yeah, omitting Granlund and Ortio is something I missed in reading the article. Glad R-D mentioned them. This will be a big year for our two Finns as they come over here and I'm curious to see how they do for the Heat.

[Roof-Daddy]

Just for kicks I whipped up my own rankings by position:

I'm no scout, just my opinion.


Center

1. Mark Jankowski (High ceiling)
2. Roman Horak (NHL ready)
3. Max Reinhart (Close to NHL ready)
4. Bill Arnold
5. Paul Byron (Window is closing)
6. Markus Granlund
7. Matt Deblouw (Intriguing prospect)

Left Wing

1. Sven Baertschi
2. Johnny Gaudreau
3. Kenny Agostino
4. Lance Bouma (NHL ready, if healthy)
5. Michael Ferland
6. Coda Gordon
7. Turner Elson

Right Wing (A virtual waste land over here)

1. Ben Hanowski
2. Akim Aliu (I like him, many don't though)
3. Greg Nemisz (Nearing bust status)
4. Ryan Howse
5. David Eddy

Defense

1. Mark Cundari
2. Tyler Wotherspoon
3. Chris Breen
4. Brady Lamb (Nearing 25)
5. John Ramage
6. Patrick Sieloff
7. Brett Kulak (Could rise quickly IMO)
8. Ryan Culkin (Could also rise quickly IMO)

Goalies

1. John Gillies
2. Laurent Brossoit
3. Joni Ortio

[GreenLantern]

That Right Wing... is gross.

[chockfullofgoodness]

Is Nemisz a bust at this point? He's only 22 and a first rounder, yet no mention of him. Is he that bad?

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Freeway, no Breen?

[Vulcan]

Despite the big talk by management I don't rate Sieloff highly either. It just seems that a defenceman known mostly for his physical game isn't going to be able to translate it well at the pros when he's only 6' and 197lbs.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by chockfullofgoodness

Is Nemisz a bust at this point? He's only 22 and a first rounder, yet no mention of him. Is he that bad?

I still like Nemisz but he may be lucky to get his contract renewed.

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Originally Posted by chockfullofgoodness

Is Nemisz a bust at this point? He's only 22 and a first rounder, yet no mention of him. Is he that bad?

Yes... sort of.

He has everything it takes to be a good defensive power forward, but just isn't mean enough. His temperament is so mild. He's got the attitude of Kiprusoff, but should have the attitude of a Jackman or McGrattan.

When he does decide to play a physical, mean, aggressive game, it just comes off as artificial and doesn't mean anything.

He's 98% likely to be a bust IMO. Doesn't mean Feaster shouldn't give him a one-year deal. He's still an effective defensive forward in the AHL for what it's worth.

[Roof-Daddy]

Hah, didn't see the author of the article was Ryan Pike.

Again, nice write up Freeway.

[Canada 02]

Originally Posted by Freeway

I'm not entirely sold on Cundari yet. He was a depth guy in Peoria and I'm not sure where he fits in yet in Calgary.

I agree. He couldn't beat Redden, Russell or Cole for a job with the Blues. Pretty low bar to hurdle

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Arnold and Agostino ahead of Jankowski? Don't really understand that. I'd have Gillies ahead of Brossoit as well.

1. Baertschi
2. Gaudreau
3. Jankowski
4. Gillies
5. Horak
6. Reinhart
7. Wotherspoon
8. Cundari
9. Breen

[Gary83]

Originally Posted by Canada 02

I agree. He couldn't beat Redden, Russell or Cole for a job with the Blues. Pretty low bar to hurdle

And Tarasenko can't beat out Adam Cracknell for a roster spot on the Blues. What a bust.

[Caged Great]

For me, prospects should be based off both potential, and how close they are to reaching it.

my top ten are

1. Sven Baertschi
2. Mark Jankowski
3. John Gaudreau
4. Mark Cundari
5. Jonathan Gillies
6. Tyler Wotherspoon
7. Markus Granlund
8. Roman Horak
9. Kenny Agostino
10. Ben Hanowski
11/12 Brett Kulak and Ryan Culkin

While certain guys like Reinhart and Bouma might be NHL ready or very close, when they get there they will not be anything more than low end 3rd liners or regular 4th liners. Necessary players, but not anything to get excited about.

[Canada 02]

Originally Posted by Gary83

And Tarasenko can't beat out Adam Cracknell for a roster spot on the Blues. What a bust.

Tarasenko can't play in the top 6 right now, and he doesn't play a grinding or energy roll. Pretty simple

[kehatch]

I rank all of the Flames prospects and kids here: Flames Prospect Rankings (also linked in my signature).

I assume that Ryan excluded Brodie as an eligible prospect. My rankings without him and Backlund are:

1. Baertschi
2. Gaudreau
3. Jankowski
4. Horak
5. Reinhart
6. Seiloff
7. Brossoit
8. Wotherspoon
9. Cundari
10. Breen

Guys I have on:

• I know it isn't popular in some circles to rank Jankowski highly. But I like his size, ceiling, and position and so far he is on track with development expectations (IMO).
• I like Cundari. He isn't big but he is physical. And he has a wicked shot. Plus he has all of those 'intangibles' that some like to make fun of but that ultimately give your team a winning culture.
• I have historically not been a very big Breen fan. But he has worked his way back on the radar last season IMO. Not much to not like about a monster shutdown D man playing mean and skating well.

Guys I have off:

• I really like Gillies, but I need to see him do it for one more year before I think him worthy of the top 10.

We are splitting hairs on Bouma, Agostino, Arnold, and Sieloff as they are pretty high on both lists. I like all of those guys. I really wanted to put Agostino into my top 10 but I haven't seen much of him.

[looooob]

Originally Posted by Freeway

I'm not entirely sold on Cundari yet. He was a depth guy in Peoria and I'm not sure where he fits in yet in Calgary.

I foresee Jankowski jumping up a bit next year.

wasn't Cundari an AHL allstar (to be clear I'm not saying that predicts high potential, just that it implies he must have been more than a depth player on his AHL team?)