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Franchise Player
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Austria, NOT Australia
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so to summarize and have an overview:
2008 Draft
Pick # 48 - C Mitch Wahl (Utah/ECHL)
7 GP, 2 G + 4 A = 6 P, +2, 6 PIM
Heading into his third pro season, Wahl hasn't been able to catch a break. After a fantastic pre-season camp two years ago, he had his first AHL season cut to 17 games with a head injury. Last season, he forced a loan to another AHL team, only to be sent back and buried in the ECHL. This year, he again had to go to the ECHL after the Heat got a talent injection from Calgary due to the lockout ... time is running out for Wahl. However, he has been the best player of the prospects that were sent to the ECHL.
Pick #108 - LW Nick Larson (Notre Dame/NCAA)
7 GP, 1 G + 1 A = 2 P, +1, 6 PIM
The Flames still have his rights, but I don't think he is still in the Flames' plans ... it has never worked offensively for Larson in college, and the organization has more promising young two-way forwards in the system to play on the bottom-six.
2009 Draft
Pick # 74 - LW Ryan Howse (Utah/ECHL)
5 GP, 1 G + 0 A = 1 P, +1, 4 PIM
Howse had a difficult first pro season for Abbotsford, including fitness issues and injury troubles. The Heat took him out of the lineup for a month to focus on nutrition and to get in better shape, yet still there were similar issues again this summer. He hasn't found his goal-scoring stride that made him an intriguing prospect in the WHL. Let's hope he can get and stay in good shape and be injury-free while also getting back some confidence in the ECHL.
Pick #171 - G Joni Ortio (HIFK Helsinki/SM-liiga)
19 GP, 8-8-3, .919% svs, 2.24 GAA, 2 SO
Ortio is putting up very good numbers after returning to Finland following a pretty unsuccessful stint with Abbotsford last year. The transition to North America probably came too early for Ortio, and the Heat didn't give him enough playing time to get some confidence. In Helsinki, is doing fine so far, and getting that amount of ice time will help his development. I question whether he's in the Flames long-term plan, given that Ramo was acquired and both Brossoit and Gillies are promising prospects, but at the very least he'll be an asset ... just look at how Nashville is doing it.
Pick #201 - C Gaelan Patterson (Utah/ECHL)
7 GP, 0 G + 3 A = 3 P, +2, 2 PIM
Has been a solid bottom-six player for Abbotsford after turning pro in 2010. Don't see him ever hit the NHL ranks, though ... we'll see if the Flames keep him after his contract ends in June.
2010 Draft
Pick #103 - D John Ramage (Wisconsin/NCAA)
6 GP, 0 G + 0 A = 0 P, -2, 8 PIM
Ramage is in his last year of college and is the captain of the Wisconsin Badgers for the second year. The defensive defenseman will never put up big numbers, but he plays a physical game, is effective on the PK and a good team leader. Underrated prospect at this point, but he projects to be an effective pro player.
Pick #108 - C Bill Arnold (Boston C./NCAA)
6 GP, 2 G + 5 A = 7 P, +2, 8 PIM
Johnny Gaudreau is the Flames prospect on the Boston College Eagles that is getting a lot of attention, while his teammate Bill Arnold is somehow flying under the radar. However, Arnold is a solid prospect and he could turn into a very solid bottom-six forward in the NHL. He is effective on the PK and responsible defensively while also putting up good numbers. He is in his third college year.
2011 Draft
Pick # 45 - C Markus Granlund (HIFK Helsinki/SM-liiga)
19 GP, 4 G + 7 A = 11 P, +3, 2 PIM
His brother went to the AHL this summer, so I guess that has an impact on Granlund's performance in Helsinki. His point production has dropped a bit, but he showed some promise in the summer camps in Calgary and it will be interesting once he decides to come over to NA.
Pick # 57 - D Tyler Wotherspoon (Portland/WHL)
14 GP, 1 G + 12 A = 13 P, +17, 4 PIM
Wotherspoon is part of a strong defensive corps in Portland that also includes overager Troy Rutkowski, 8th overall pick 2012 Derrick Pouliot and super prospect Seth Jones. He was named an assistant captain before the season, and his start to the season has been fine. He is playing a sound defensive game, but he can contribute offensively.
Pick #104 - LW Johnny Gaudreau (Boston C./NCAA)
6 GP, 4 G + 4 A = 8 P, +5, 2 PIM
Probably the most "hyped" Flames prospect beside Bärtschi, Gaudreau has continued with what he was doing last year: scoring. In 6 games, he has scored a stunning 3 game-winning goals.
Pick #164 - G Laurent Brossoit (Edmonton/WHL)
11 GP, 7-1-3, .897% svs, 2.76 GAA
Brossoit hasn't been up to his best so far this season. After being excellent for the Oil Kings last year, his start to the season has been too good. The backup is posting better numbers and Brossoit seems to struggle at points ... however, he is keeping his team winning. Let's hope he'll improve soon.
2012 Draft
Pick # 21 - C Mark Jankowski (Providence/NCAA)
8 GP, 3 G + 1 A = 4 P, -2, 4 PIM, 1 GWG
After skipping the USHL and going straight to college, Jankowski has had a good start to his college career. Given that the opposition he is facing is a lot bigger, better and stronger than the level he played against last year, he has adapted well and from what I've heard he is getting a good chunk of ice time for the Friars. So far, he has been playing left wing instead of center ... probably to ease his transition to the new level and to give him a less defensive workload. He scored two goals in his college debut in a 8-2 win against Sacred Heart and scored the game-winner in a 3-2 win over Vermont this Friday. If he could continue to hover around .5 points per game, his first season would be a success.
Pick # 42 - D Patrick Sieloff (Windsor/OHL)
18 GP, 3 G + 2 A = 5 P, -1, 31 PIM
Sieloff chose not to go the college route, but to play in the OHL instead. A good decision, since he'll probably be more pro-ready in two years than any other Flames pick this year. He is the first Flames prospect to play in the OHL since T.J. Brodie suited up for Saginaw and Barrie in the 2009-10 season. So far, Sieloff has not disappointed. Known for big hits and his rugged play, he has carried over his strengths to the new level of opposition. The Spitfires have also given him the opportunity to explore some untapped offensive potential, as he is getting ice time on the powerplay. He has a hard slap shot that could potentially be a weapon on the man-advantage, and if he can continue to work on it, the Flames will get more out of Sieloff than expected.
Pick # 75 - G Jon Gillies (Providence/NCAA)
8 GP, 4-3-1, .932% svs, 1.80 GAA, 1 SO
If Jankowski's had a good start to college hockey, the first weeks of Gillies have been even better. After playing in the USHL last year, the big goaltender went to Providence College, becoming teammate with Jankowski. Gillies has started in all of the Friars' eight games so far, and he has been a reliable cornerstone for a young team in those games. His play earned him "Rookie of the Week" honors twice and he was then selected as "Rookie of the Month" in the Hockey East. He posted his first shutout with 26 saves in a 3-0 win against Maine, and he didn't give up a goal in the 8-2 win over Sacred Heart on opening day either, but was replaced after two periods. Colour me impressed with his start of the season.
Pick #105 - D Brett Kulak (Vancouver/WHL)
16 GP, 3 G + 6 A = 9 P, -3, 8 PIM, 1 GWG
Kulak is facing a situation that is extremely different from last year. In 2011-12, the Vancouver Giants were a successful team with 40 wins ... this year, they are a bottom-feeder and dead-last in the Western Conference. Kulak's play has been fine though, with increased offensive production (he is on pace for 40 points in comparison to last year's 24) and a bigger role on the Giants' blueline. However, in light of Vancouver's performance so far, the Giants seem to have started a bit of a rebuild with three trades over the last few days. The team is in bad shape this season, and who knows - could Kulak have a new home soon as well? We'll see, but it's good to see that his personal performance seems to be alright.
Pick #124 - D Ryan Culkin (Quebec/QMJHL)
16 GP, 3 G + 13 A = 16 P, +10, 16 PIM
Culkin is the first Flames prospect in the Q since Hugo Carpentier, and no disrespect, but here's a fan that surely hopes that Culkin will pan out better than Carpentier. So far, everything is looking fine. After impressing in the Flames summer camp, he has been great for the Remparts in the early stages of the season. Being named an assistant captain on a very stacked team, Culkin has contributed nicely to one of the best offensive teams the junior leagues have to offer this season. Even if the Remparts are firing on all cylinders, a point-per-game is darn impressive for an 18-year-old defenseman, especially for a guy who is more famous for his defensive play. Nothing but praise so far for the kid ... you never know how those guys develop in the long run (especially later picks), but at this point, Culkin looks like a very solid pick.
Pick #165 - LW Coda Gordon (Swift Current/WHL)
20 GP, 5 G + 13 A = 18 P, -7, 2 PIM
After netting 30 goals last year, Gordon has not found his goal-scoring stride so far this season, but he is quietly racking up points and performing nearly at a point-per-game rate. Haven't quite figured this guy out yet in terms of his strengths ... last year, he had 30 goals and 23 assists in 66 games; while this year, he is on pace for 16 goals and 43 assists in 66 games. Kind of the opposite stat line from last year. One thing that is noticeable is the time he's spending in the penalty box - a total of whooping 14 penalty minutes in 87 career WHL games.
Pick #186 - C Matthew Deblouw (Michigan State/NCAA)
8 GP, 3 G + 4 A = 7 P, -5, 6 PIM
The "Swiss Army Knife" (copyright Tod Button) has been very good for the Spartans so far after also making the jump from the USHL to college hockey. Primarily known for his two-way play and his faceoff ability, Deblouw has also contributed nicely on the scoresheet for Michigan State. A promising start for the seventh-round pick.
Others
D James Martin (Utah/ECHL)
7 GP, 0 G + 4 A = 4 P, +2, 8 PIM
Signed as a free agent last summer, Martin struggled with injuries in his first pro season for Abbotsford, but he was solid in limited action. With the addition of Lamb and a few AHL guys in Abbotsford, there wasn't a spot for him this year ... and with Ramage and Wotherspoon turning pro next summer, it won't get any easier.
RW Bryan Cameron (Utah/ECHL)
7 GP, 1 G + 5 A = 6 P, +4, 0 PIM
Was a good scorer in junior hockey, but was never able to put up good numbers in pro hockey. Stuck in the ECHL ever after playing 60 games for the Heat in 2010-11 ... probably won't return next year.
LW Turner Elson (Red Deer/WHL)
13 GP, 6 G + 5 A = 11 P, +2, 14 PIM
Elson returned to the WHL as an overager - probably a good decision given the logjam of forwards in Abbotsford. The Red Deer Rebels had to make a decision regarding their overagers ... after some time, they decided to keep Elson and make him captain. He had a pretty slow start to season, but he has been better lately, scoring 4 goals in the last 3 games.
G Karri Ramo (Omsk Avangard/KHL)
19 GP, 13-4-2, .917% svs, 2.23 GAA
Ramo is in his final year of his KHL contract. His numbers are a bit lower than last year, but still very good. I don't expect huge jumps in his development this year, he has proven everything at that level ... he needs to come over next summer and challenge Irving for the backup spot.
Last edited by devo22; 11-04-2012 at 03:14 PM.
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