Calgarypuck Prospect Ranking 2020 - Round 15

[Bingo]

It's time for the 8th annual Calgarypuck Prospect Ranking, but at a different time of year and certainly at a different time.

First a look back at previous years can be done with this handy link: Previous Results

Once again vote how you want. There are those that vote 100% on potential, some that vote 100% on the likelihood to see an NHL rink, others that apply a mix, some using the value in a trade. Completely up to you.

I'll run one a day until we are done, and then FlamesAddiction wants to do a one off list version to compare the results.

We start with 35 names so this should get us pretty close to a Flames camp.

2020 Results
1. Valimaki - 85%
2. Zary - 62%
3. Pelletier - 74%
4. Wolf (Run Off)
5. Mackey (Run Off)
6. Pettersen 42%
7. Phillips 36%
8. Gawdin 28%
9. Zavgorodniy 34%
10. Poirier 39%
11. Kuznetsov 43%
12. Kinnvall 56%
13. Ruzicka 44%
14. Chechelev 41%

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Sorry, I'm just not sold on Parsons. He's been poor to mediocre ever since he turned pro.

Whatever the reason is, he's got to start making progress towards something meaningful or he'll be another in a long line of goalies who don't have what it takes to be an NHLer.

I went with Poolman. He's not flashy, but sounds like he could be a solid bottom pairing d-man in the future. I'll take that considering what's still on the board.

Just FYI: Poolman won the defensive defenseman award for the NCHC not long after we signed him.

[Scroopy Noopers]

The Parsons concerns are overblown. The guy is 23, he’s got 3 years of minor work before we should even anticipate him making the NHL. This is normal.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by Scroopy Noopers

The Parsons concerns are overblown. The guy is 23, he’s got 3 years of minor work before we should even anticipate him making the NHL. This is normal.

The concerns are fair.

But the talent is still there.

Considering he was in our top two or three prospects a few years ago, he's fallen enough down the rankings to start voting for him.

He has the highest ceiling in the prospect pool.

[VilleN]

Ryan Francis. This seems like a 'swing for the fences' pick, and at this point in the rankings I'm voting on high-end potential.

[Funkhouser]

Francis, then Niko, then Parsons for me...

After that I start a new tier of players who could make the team one day, but likely as replacement (as opposed to impact) players
(Yelesin, Philip, Poolman, Pospisil, Zagidulin, Nodler, Lerby, Boltmann, Kerins)

It is amazing that I still believe we have a number of NHLers in the system at Rd 15!!

[1qqaaz]

Originally Posted by Scroopy Noopers

The Parsons concerns are overblown. The guy is 23, he’s got 3 years of minor work before we should even anticipate him making the NHL. This is normal.

Most of the elite goalies in the NHL were starters by the age of 23.
In fact, since 2010, I believe Thomas, Binnington and Crawford were the only cup-winning goalies who were not already starters by that age. However, Crawford first played in the NHL at 20. Binnington did at 22.

Even Markstrom played in the NHL at the age of 20. I believe part of the reason the Flames haven't developed goalies is that they tend to wait too long.

Do I think Parsons still has potential? Yes. But not because of his age.

[Bingo]

Parsons has been through a lot.

That can be a trend that just continues and continues and that's that. Very fair assumption at this point.

But I like the other story too ... I think sometimes individuals aren't ready if they don't face some adversity. The kid could win series on his own in the OHL, and then was dominant in the WJC.

With the issues he's had, the Flames support, and then some annoying injuries it just might be the adversity that builds a base, and with that a heck of a comeback story. So much talent.

[TheScorpion]

Luke Philp.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by 1qqaaz

Most of the elite goalies in the NHL were starters by the age of 23.
In fact, since 2010, I believe Thomas, Binnington and Crawford were the only cup-winning goalies who were not already starters by that age. However, Crawford first played in the NHL at 20. Binnington did at 22.

Even Markstrom played in the NHL at the age of 20. I believe part of the reason the Flames haven't developed goalies is that they tend to wait too long.

Do I think Parsons still has potential? Yes. But not because of his age.

No one being voted on at this stage is really expected to be elite anything. If Parsons can make it to the NHL even as a backup, that's a decent reason to vote for him now. Backup goalie = solid 3rd liner IMO.

[bigrangy]

Francis/Kerins/Parsons are the three most interesting ones left for me.

[1qqaaz]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

No one being voted on at this stage is really expected to be elite anything. If Parsons can make it to the NHL even as a backup, that's a decent reason to vote for him now. Backup goalie = solid 3rd liner IMO.

Fair point, but I would argue that Nikolayev, Francis and Kerins could conceivably top 6 forwards. They’re all interesting prospects.

[Gaudreau is a Ninja]

It was between Nikolayev or Francis, I went with Francis his offensive tools are impressive. I need Parsons to have a big year ( at least stay healthy ) in the AHL this season whenever that is.

[Sandman]

I went with Yelesin, as he's the one most likely to get time in the NHL this year, and I think Lerby may as well. I sympathize with Parsons for all the troubles he's had to overcome, as I've experienced those things myself, but I just don't see him ever making it. Just my opinion. He's likely going to be buried in the ECHL again this year, with Zags and Domingue splitting time in the AHL.

[btimbit]

Yelesin again, few polls in a row now

[David Struch]

Josh Nodler could be the best of this bunch when it's all said and done.

Mike Keane comes to mind.

[neo45]

Originally Posted by Sandman

I went with Yelesin, as he's the one most likely to get time in the NHL this year, and I think Lerby may as well. I sympathize with Parsons for all the troubles he's had to overcome, as I've experienced those things myself, but I just don't see him ever making it. Just my opinion. He's likely going to be buried in the ECHL again this year, with Zags and Domingue splitting time in the AHL.

Yelesin was surprisingly passable during NHL games last year. Plays a simple game and it didn’t seem that the speed or physicality was a problem for him

Low ceiling player though

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by neo45

Yelesin was surprisingly passable during NHL games last year. Plays a simple game and it didn’t seem that the speed or physicality was a problem for him

Low ceiling player though

Yeah, he’ll never put up big numbers, but he’s fast and steady, and seems to have some good skill in his transition game. He was advertised as being a very physical player though, being known for his open-ice hits, but it’s hard to play that kind of game over here, especially for a six-footer.