[kehatch]

Here are the players I think could graduate next season in the order of likelihood. (Note: by graduate I mean make the NHL team full time. I think we will see many get a temporary call up for experience).

1. Granlund: Looked the most ready of any of our forward call-ups last season and had a heck of a season in Abby.
2. Baertschi: This will be the last season on his entry level contract. He has shown he can play at the NHL level. The Flames have given him a lower number indicating they see him as an NHL player. Its time to put up and he should get the opportunity to do so.
3. Cundari: The Flames have a fair bit of depth at D and Cundari has enough experience to fit the role of a 7D better than our younger D prospects. The Flames also bumped him around a fair bit last season and signed him to a one year prove it deal. They will want to see what they have in him.
4. Reinhart: Reinhart was the scoring leader in Abby last season and looked fine in his NHL call-ups. Unlike Granlund and Baertschi Reinhart slots into the bottom 9 easily giving him a bit more versatility in filling a spot.
5. Wotherspoon: He played 14 games with the Flames last season and looked good. My guess is the Flames want him to get a full year playing big minutes in the AHL rather than be a routine scratch playing the 7D role. But if injury strikes a roster player Wotherspoon will likely be the first call up.
6. Ortio: Barring an exceptional camp he will start the season in Abby. However, with Ramo a pending UFA, Hiller a veteran, and Ortio's contract turning into a 1-way in the second year it is very possible he gets a mid season call up. If he impresses look for the Flames to trade Hiller or Ramo to make space.
7. Knight: Another guy on the last year of his ELC. He was good in Abby and fine in his call ups. His ability to play strong defense and slot into the bottom 9 may be his ticket to impress and stick if injury strikes.
8. Agostino: Similar to Knight he is one of our older prospects with only a season on his ELC. Also like Knight he slots in to the bottom 9 just fine and plays responsible defense. Could stick in a call up.
9. Wolf: Wolf will be 25 next season and is on a one year try out contract. If he plays well in the AHL he should see some games in the NHL and have a chance to stick. It is possible he even sticks out of camp due to the Flames need for size and grit.
10. Gaudreau: There has been lots of discussion about Gaudreau making the team so I won't duplicate it all here. My take is that there are lots of guys ahead of him that need to be assessed and are more NHL ready. There isn't any reason for the Flames to risk rushing one of their best prospects. Unless Gaudreau forced their hand with a steller pre-season or AHL debut I think he spends the season transitioning to pro in the AHL. That said, the kid has the talent to force the Flames hand.
11. Arnold: His two way ability may get him a call up. He also has NHL size already. He could stick on the bottom 9. My bet is he gets a full AHL season though.
12. Van Brabant: Similar to Knight and Agostino. May stick in a bottom 9 role if he outplays those guys.
13. Hanowski: Plays a gritty bottom 9 game so he could become a routine 4-liner. Going to be tough to get ahead of the guys above though.
14. Bennett: Like Gaudreau there isn't any reason to rush this kid. In fact, given his point in development there is less reason. He will almost certainly spend most of the season in the CHL.
15. Ferland: Would be at the top of the list if not for missing most of last season. He will likely get a full AHL season to get things sorted out.
16. Sieloff: See Ferland.
17. Kulak: I don't think his game is NHL ready yet. Probably sees a full season in the AHL.
18. Poirier: He could surprise me. But I think he sees an AHL season.
19. Culkin: Same as Kulak
20. Ramage: Spent most of his season in the ECHL. Needs to work his way back onto the radar. If he does he might get a call up just to see what he has. I doubt he sticks though.