More from Hockey's Future (Org. Rankings)

[FCAV]

This may be a tough one to swallow. Hockey's Future has Calgary ranked 25th in the league in terms of their prospect pool!

25. Calgary Flames

Strengths: An often under-respected array of blueliners has the Flames well positioned for the future. WJC gold medal winner Keith Aulie is supported by Matt Pelech and John Negrin, who both made impressive NHL debuts in 2008-09. Newly-drafted Swede Tim Erixon was a welcome addition to an already strong prospect defense. Netminding is rarely an issue with Calgary and Leland Irving silenced most doubters with a solid year in the AHL last season to get back on track as a bona fide blue-chipper. Forward Mikael Backlund brings an offensive dynamic to the mix after finally arriving in North America midway through last year. Power forward Greg Nemisz had a strong year helping the Windsor Spitfires capture the Memorial Cup.
Weaknesses: Outside of Backlund, and perhaps Mitch Wahl, Calgary’s forward group could be considered blue-collar, hard-working players, but there is a definite lack of true offensive talent. Goalie Matt Keetley struggled in the AHL last year and will need a much better campaign in Abbotsford.
Top five prospects: 1. Mikael Backlund, C, 2. Greg Nemisz, RW, 3. Keith Aulie, D, 4. Leland Irving, G, 5. Tim Erixon. D.

Remember, I have nothing to do with this!

[jeremywilhelm]

MetroGnome!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[icarus]

Is Aulie really our third best prospect, and a better blueliner than Pelech and/or Negrin? Backlund and Wahl our only offensive forwards? What about Howse and Bjorklund?

[RyZ]

The Flames are always ranked low at HF and continue to make the playoffs year after year. The Oilers, one of the darlings of HF are always near the top of the prospect rankings and struggle to get better year over year.

Nothing to see here, it's the same as every year.

[FlamesAddiction]

I swear, the first data HF looks at when they rate prospects is where the player was drafted. Since the Flames have not drafted high in several years, they put them near the bottom.

Really, HF is no more useful than a poll on CP.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by icarus

Backlund and Wahl our only offensive forwards? What about Howse and Bjorklund?

Well... I think the jury is still hearing deliberations on Bjorklund but the lack of a mention on Ryan Howse (who's scoring at a very impressive rate this year) is puzzling.

Furthermore I don't get how Mitch Wahl rates such an exclusionary complement as... "Outside of Backlund, and perhaps Mitch Wahl, Calgary’s forward group could be considered blue-collar, hard-working players, but there is a definite lack of true offensive talent." when the very next section has the #2 prospect as being Greg Nemisz who is a top 10 scorer in the OHL thus far.

None-the-less, Calgary's prospect pool is fairly shallow in the offensive forward department. Lacking a top 60 pick this year and with 2011 expected to be a poor draft class (and missing a 2nd rounder on top of that) I don't expect that to change (for the better) anytime soon.

[madmike]

Nemisz isn't an offensive talent? He has the potential to be. I don't think he was drafted for his defensive skills.

HF always has Calgary ranked low. I really don't pay any attention to their prospect rankings any more.

At least the Flames organizational prospect rankings look a ton better than in years past. In some years it was obvious the writers weren't familiar with the organization at all.

[united]

That's because on HF an unproven prospect with no NHL experience but a lot of hype and potential is worth more than a proven consistent NHL player.