Who Do You Think Will Unexpectedly Make The Team Next Year?

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Fire

Can Hunter Smith play in the AHL next season?

Yeah, he can play in the AHL. The Flames could decide to send him back to the OHL just to see him mature a bit more and grow into his frame.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by calgarywinning

How close is Hunter Smith? He had a great season.

I am a big fan and IMO, he is not very close. It just takes longer for guys with big frames like that to fill out, get their skating down, and pull it all together.

I think he's ready for the AHL next year (he would be stagnant playing against kids 2 or 3 years younger than him). He probably needs 2 full years in the AHL, getting stronger, and developing his skating, and then he could be a beast.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by AcGold

He looks like a nightmare to defend, I thought Smith was another Ivanans. If he fills in his frame wow, he'll be a monster.

This is not directed at you, but I know that there are some people who think: big, therefore a talentless goon. Anyone who thinks this is simply not paying attention and are dead wrong.

He is never going to be Gaudreau, but he has skills and has the potential to be an extremely valuable player for the Flames.

Think an even bigger Colborne, way meaner, but not quite as soft hands (but not bad). Maroon is probably a good comparable of what I think he projects to be.

[AcGold]

I figured he was a goon not because he had size but from what I saw in the preseason he played like a violent maniac. Usually, but not always, that's a tough guy trying to make an impression without much skill to back it up. If he can make the NHL he'll be terrifying. 6'7"? Is that correct? If so holy ####.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by AcGold

I figured he was a goon not because he had size but from what I saw in the preseason he played like a violent maniac. Usually, but not always, that's a tough guy trying to make an impression without much skill to back it up. If he can make the NHL he'll be terrifying. 6'7"? Is that correct? If so holy ####.

That's fair - if all you saw was his time in camp, because yeah, he was trying to make an impression physically. But his game is more well-rounded than that.

Yes, 6'7". When he fills out, he could play at 235 or 240 lbs and still be slim enough to keep his speed.

[Fighting Banana Slug]

I like the Maroon comparison alot. It took him quite a while to make the bigs, but now he is playing on the top line, filling a role that is tought to fill. Not necessarily the most skilled, but he can keep up, and at worst could play in a 3/4 line capacity.