Calgarypuck Prospect Ranking 2020 - Round 26

[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%
15. Parsons 46%
16. Yelesin 25%
17. Nikolayev 32%
18. Francis 38%
19. Boltmann 26%
20. Poolman 26%
21. Kerins 29%
22. Zagidulin 29%
23. Pospisil 32%
24. Philp 39%
25. Lerby 35%

[Gaudreau is a Ninja]

I’ve voted for Solovyov the last few times, mostly because at this point, I have no idea who is better

[Funkhouser]

I love Tuulola as much as the next guy.
Who wouldn't love the cherub-faced trouble-maker to make it big?

But if you look at his performance, he has shown little progression nor attribute that gives him an edge.

Nodler at least still has that potential...so Nodler it is!
(followed by Solovyov for me)

[Bleeding Red]

What am I missing about Tuulola?

Was his year in the AHL that underwhelming? Is it that he did not dominate in his 10 so games in Finland? Flames Nation has him at #15.

[ForeverFlameFan]

I picked Tuulola without noticing Nodler was still there.

[agulati]

Looks like I'll be voting for Solovyov for a while now.

[dammage79]

E2. 2Lola!

[3rd line Grinder]

What is the Solovyov?



edit: just realized i forgot some key words, was supposed to be what is the upside to solovyov

[SuperMatt18]

I voted Nodler...but Solovyov should maybe be higher.

Playing in a mens league already and having okay success in the KHL. Had a good season in the OHL last year.

3 points in 14 games isn't bad for somebody his age in the KHL.

[Monahammer]

Everything is possible, in this life!

[united]

Josh Nodler, playing in the Big 10 in 2019-20, had the second-lowest raw NHLe among all Flames forward prospects, ahead of only Mitchell Mattson, and one-third of Lucas Feuk’s (19-20 J20) and Eetu Tuulola’s (19-20 AHL).

[Calgary4LIfe]

I am sure I will be the only one voting for him from now on, but I am taking Rafikov here. Sure, he may never come over (though maybe he will!), but I do think he has top 4 potential. Good skater, physical, moves the puck well, has decent offence, good defensively and seemed to have really good gap control, leadership abilities plus he likes to play with an edge and get under the opposing team's skin.


I don't really see anyone else on the list with a higher ceiling. Nodler is leading this round by a mile, but I am not really crazy about him. Maybe in his second season in the NCAA he will find himself with more opportunities, but 36G, 8pts and 2PIMS is underwhelming. Stats aren't everything, and as I said, it may have been more of a lack of opportunity than anything else. Yes, he apparently has leadership skills, but even John Ramage (who was a very strong leader) as a defensive D still put up more points in his first year in the NCAA.


I hope Nodler, Tulola, Koumontzis, and Sveningsson manage to make some solids steps in their development, but Rafikov for me right now. I do think that if Rafikov seemed more likely to come over, I would have started picking him maybe 10 spots higher.

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by Bleeding Red

What am I missing about Tuulola?

Was his year in the AHL that underwhelming? Is it that he did not dominate in his 10 so games in Finland? Flames Nation has him at #15.

I'm on the panel that created those rankings. I think he's far too high.

But I'd feel fine about voting for him here.

[Ring of Fire]

Originally Posted by united

Josh Nodler, playing in the Big 10 in 2019-20, had the second-lowest raw NHLe among all Flames forward prospects, ahead of only Mitchell Mattson, and a third of Lucas Feuk’s (19-20 J20) and Eetu Tuulola’s (19-20 AHL).

Two things key for me when voting are: year over year progression (some of this can be measured by looking at NHLE numbers from year to year), and NHLE relative to projected role. A forward with a lower NHLE better have some strong defensive ability or the ability to crash and bang in a 4th line role.

Even with relatively low NHLE, I see Tuulola has size, physicality, and can finish. He could fill a 4th line role. Question is if skating is good enough.

[1qqaaz]

Originally Posted by united

Josh Nodler, playing in the Big 10 in 2019-20, had the second-lowest raw NHLe among all Flames forward prospects, ahead of only Mitchell Mattson, and a third of Lucas Feuk’s (19-20 J20) and Eetu Tuulola’s (19-20 AHL).

This is too overwhelming to ignore IMO.
I know Nodler is younger, but still. He's also a lot smaller.

If he doubles his point totals, then we're cooking with gas.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by Bleeding Red

What am I missing about Tuulola?

Was his year in the AHL that underwhelming? Is it that he did not dominate in his 10 so games in Finland? Flames Nation has him at #15.

Tuulola's 23pts in 50 AHL games was respectable when you consider he was mainly a third-liner on that team. His 4 pts in 11g in Sweden was also respectable when you consider that he was 7th in scoring on that team, and 1 pt out of a tie for fifth (two of the guys ahead of him were D, so he was the 5th highest scoring forward). His skill is undeniable, and he uses his size well when he needs to, it's just his skating that's holding him back. I would still probably have him higher than he is on this list, just my opinion.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Ring of Fire

Two things key for me when voting are: year over year progression (some of this can be measured by looking at NHLE numbers from year to year), and NHLE relative to projected role. A forward with a lower NHLE better have some strong defensive ability or the ability to crash and bang in a 4th line role.

Even with relatively low NHLE, I see Tuulola has size, physicality, and can finish. He could fill a 4th line role. Question is if skating is good enough.

This is why I don't always like NHLe as an indicator. For top line skill players, it can be useful, but not for the lunch pale types.

Some players are 10-15 goal players in junior or the minors, then still manage to reach that in the NHL. Nothing to write home about, but still useful contributions as bottom six players.

[united]

Originally Posted by 1qqaaz

This is too overwhelming to ignore IMO.
I know Nodler is younger, but still. He's also a lot smaller.

If he doubles his point totals, then we're cooking with gas.

Feuk is actually only two months older than Nodler and had a raw 2019-20 NHLe (league-adjusted) triple that of Nodler's, and a two-year weighted double that of Nodler's. That college hype.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by united

Josh Nodler, playing in the Big 10 in 2019-20, had the second-lowest raw NHLe among all Flames forward prospects, ahead of only Mitchell Mattson, and one-third of Lucas Feuk’s (19-20 J20) and Eetu Tuulola’s (19-20 AHL).

I'm not high on this kid at all, perhaps I'm missing something. Humbly speaking, what's the allure?

[David Struch]

Josh Nodler is 6 foot and 200 lbs, shoots right, low centre of gravity, plays centre or right wing, is a great two-way player, known for his leadership and hockey sense, and models his game after Patrice Bergeron.