Our prospects: Forwards vs Defence

[jg13]

I think most of us would agree our forward prospect pool is a lot deeper than our defensive prospects.

Will lack of quality defensive prospects at development camp allow more forwards to have a shot at making the team through training camp?

Prospect Forwards

Gaudreau
Baertschi
Granlund
M. Reinhart
Wolf
Knight
Van Brabant
Arnold
Agostino
Hanowski
Jankowski
Klimchuk

Prospect Defence:

Wotherspoon
Martin
Culkin
Cundari
Ramage
Billins
Kanzig
Gilmour
Rafikov
Roy

Injured likely won't be at camp:

Poirier
Ferland
Sieloff

[dammage79]

I thought Seiloff was good to go for the opening of Prospects camp. Ferland I remember being a long time off but could be ready for camp. HE only played something like 26 games last season. He's been out a long time.

[Caged Great]

The only contenders on defense for a spot opening are Wotherspoon and Sieloff as of right now. Sometimes though, you have surprises and maybe someone like Kulak takes a huge step forward, similar to Brodie's step from 19 to 20.

We won't know till at least July if not September

[Lanny_McDonald]

Don't discount Gilmour. I see a lot of Giordano in this kid. Plays a very similar game and may end up being a late bloomer like the current Flames captain.

[dissentowner]

Our forward prospects are much deeper and better than our defense. I don't see one top defensive prospect there that will even be a top 4 in the NHL. Just a boatload of 5-6. Our defensive prospect pool really needs to get better. Sure there could be a surprise there in development but I am not holding my breath.

[Trojan97]

Of the less talked about prospects, Rafikov has me most excited. His production took a big jump this year, he's consistently being named to represent Russia at international tournaments and he is fully committed to coming over next year to play Jr. I wouldn't be surprised if he really impresses next year and takes a big step in his development. Hopefully a WHL team drafts him in the import draft so we can see him play more frequently.

[Da_Chief]

Besides Wotherspoon (showed something last year), Rafikov (unknown factor) and Kanzig (the size) there's not much else that excites me from the D group. Luckily we need 4 top 4 guys and we already have 2 of them. That's why adding a guy like Ekblad could be huge.

If we can move up and grab Ekblad..

Gio-Ekblad
Brodie-??
Wotherspoon/Russell/Sieloff/Kanzig etc

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Our forward prospects are much deeper and better than our defense. I don't see one top defensive prospect there that will even be a top 4 in the NHL. Just a boatload of 5-6. Our defensive prospect pool really needs to get better. Sure there could be a surprise there in development but I am not holding my breath.

While I agree our defensive prospects are mostly weak, I wouldn't underestimate Wotherspoon. He won't be a scorer but he's very solid and can play top four in the near future.

[edslunch]

Originally Posted by Da_Chief

Besides Wotherspoon (showed something last year), Rafikov (unknown factor) and Kanzig (the size) there's not much else that excites me from the D group. Luckily we need 4 top 4 guys and we already have 2 of them. That's why adding a guy like Ekblad could be huge.

If we can move up and grab Ekblad..

Gio-Ekblad
Brodie-??
Wotherspoon/Russell/Sieloff/Kanzig etc

I could see a draft day move to get Ekblad - not because he's a generational talent or anything but because it's a greater need and both Burke and Treliving like to build from the back out

[BACKCHECK!!!]

It's funny how Sieloff still gets billing on this site as one of the organization's top prospects and best bets to play in the NHL.

Based on playing half of a decent-but-not-spectacular season in juniors, two years ago?

If a player old can't put up more than 2 points in the USHL in his draft year, just through hockey sense alone, he does not have the hockey sense to play in the NHL. Even with purely defensive skills like holding the line in the offensive zone, being able to make abreakout pass, or just being able to make a simple tape-to-tape pass, you should be able to do better than 1 assist every 12 games in your draft year if you have the goods to play in the NHL.

Other than inexplicably being drafted in the 2nd round, this kid has done nothing to show he's even remotely NHL material.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by BACKCHECK!!!

It's funny how Sieloff still gets billing on this site as one of the organization's top prospects and best bets to play in the NHL.

Based on playing half of a decent-but-not-spectacular season in juniors, two years ago?

If a player old can't put up more than 2 points in the USHL in his draft year, just through hockey sense alone, he does not have the hockey sense to play in the NHL. Even with purely defensive skills like holding the line in the offensive zone, being able to make abreakout pass, or just being able to make a simple tape-to-tape pass, you should be able to do better than 1 assist every 12 games in your draft year if you have the goods to play in the NHL.

Other than inexplicably being drafted in the 2nd round, this kid has done nothing to show he's even remotely NHL material.

Other than actually making the Flames out of camp only to be hampered by a staph infection that kept him out of the the NHL and the AHL for the whole season?

[FlameZilla]

Not having Poirier, Sieloff & Ferland at camp really hurts. I was half-expecting Poirier to make a push for the NHL this year. At least there isn't any danger of him being rushed...

Sieloff is a really promising prospect. He may not put up offensive numbers but he's a pitbull out there. Like a mini Robyn Regehr. I hope he can recover from that horribly unlucky health problem.

[Monahan23]

Originally Posted by Da_Chief

Besides Wotherspoon (showed something last year), Rafikov (unknown factor) and Kanzig (the size) there's not much else that excites me from the D group. Luckily we need 4 top 4 guys and we already have 2 of them. That's why adding a guy like Ekblad could be huge.

If we can move up and grab Ekblad..

Gio-Ekblad
Brodie-??
Wotherspoon/Russell/Sieloff/Kanzig etc

Brodie - Ekblad
Wotherspoon - Dougherty

[Poe969]

I'm thinking next year will be the same kind of result as his year was… that being said, I'd love to see Kanzig make the team just as a protector for the other kids along with McGrattan.

[saillias]

Originally Posted by New Era

Don't discount Gilmour. I see a lot of Giordano in this kid. Plays a very similar game and may end up being a late bloomer like the current Flames captain.

I'm drawing a blank here, is he our 7th rounder last year who plays for Providence? You've seen him play? Appreciate any insight you have on him

[Bandwagon In Flames]

I think Wotherspoon has shown more than bottom pairing potential. He plays the shut-down role great and was able to have success at the NHL level in his limited playing time.

I can see him and Brodie as a pairing down the road. Brodie can play his mobile offensive game and Wotherspoon will always be there to back him up and keep it simple in the defensive zone.

I'd say Seiloff can be better compared to Sarich than Regehr. He likes to play the physical game but I'm not sure he'll ever be capable of shutting down top players.

[Roof-Daddy]

I think our D prospect pool is a bit under rated.

Obviously there isn't any sure fire NHLers in the bunch (except maybe Wotherspoon, who had a good showing this last season) but there is a lot of mobility and hockey IQ in that group, and those are important traits for these guys to have in order to make the jump.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by Bandwagon In Flames

I think Wotherspoon has shown more than bottom pairing potential. He plays the shut-down role great and was able to have success at the NHL level in his limited playing time.

I can see him and Brodie as a pairing down the road. Brodie can play his mobile offensive game and Wotherspoon will always be there to back him up and keep it simple in the defensive zone.

I'd say Seiloff can be better compared to Sarich than Regehr. He likes to play the physical game but I'm not sure he'll ever be capable of shutting down top players.

Sarich and Regehr were very similar players in their prime and Sarich was a great shut-down defenseman in his own right. I remember him being pretty instrumental in stopping Iginla and the Flames on route to a Stanley Cup in Tampa.

[Roof-Daddy]

Sarich is a terrible comparison for Sieloff IMO. Sarich has a lot more size, but Sieloff is a much better skater. Other than the physicality, I don't see any similarities between the two.

[ricardodw]

Originally Posted by BACKCHECK!!!

It's funny how Sieloff still gets billing on this site as one of the organization's top prospects and best bets to play in the NHL.

Based on playing half of a decent-but-not-spectacular season in juniors, two years ago?

If a player old can't put up more than 2 points in the USHL in his draft year, just through hockey sense alone, he does not have the hockey sense to play in the NHL. Even with purely defensive skills like holding the line in the offensive zone, being able to make abreakout pass, or just being able to make a simple tape-to-tape pass, you should be able to do better than 1 assist every 12 games in your draft year if you have the goods to play in the NHL.

Other than inexplicably being drafted in the 2nd round, this kid has done nothing to show he's even remotely NHL material.

What an incredible comment!!??? Robyn Regehr had many seasons where he scored at the same rate. Lucky we got Butler in the trade!!

From NHL.com August 10, 2013 (10 months ago)...

headline: Sieloff a captain candidate for U.S.

link

He was a full time regular player on the US team that won a gold medal in 2013 and was eligible to play again last season.

He played well enough (and big enough) in the NHL exhibition season that the Flames thought he was ready for at least the AHL rather than another year of Junior.

He is miles ahead in development and shown more potential for his age than basically any Flame prospect other than Monahan and Gaudreau .

He is over a year younger than Wotherspoon.... because of his missing season his ELC slid for a year.

He would likely have played 20 NHL games last season ahead of Breen and Wootherspon based on his exhibition play.