Most intriguing player heading into Camp.

[dammage79]

Wranglers C depth?

1. Zary
2. Kerins
3. Nikolaev
4. ??
5. ??

I dont know much else about that the AHL team is doing at center other than those three. Still, that's a rock solid developing 3 c's

[Canada 02]

Schwindt or Ruzicka will be the Wranglers #1 C

Would not be surprised if both start with the Wranglers, in which case, they will have great C depth

[TheIronMaiden]

Originally Posted by Neeper

For me it’s Matthew Phillips. Trading Gaudreau opens the door for him imo. It would be awesome to see him crack the roster.


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I think Phillips is more likely to be Czarnik than Gaudreau or even Byron. His offense is not potent enough for a player who doesn't kill penalties.

[Flaming Horse]

It will be very interesting what kind of numbers kadri can put up. I'm sure the intangibles will be there but will he be that offensive dynamo from last year or closer to the 61 point year or somewhere in the middle. For me he can get in that 71,72 plus range and be a very effective shutdown guy I will be happy. Namely shutting down the oilers clown show.

[djsFlames]

As far as prospects

Schwindt since I think he can push for an NHL job, and the team was already high on him. Also intrigued to see if Pelletier can be impactful this time around. The door was arguably open for him last time and he didn't make a good case for himself, so let's see what a year of development does.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

I think Phillips is more likely to be Czarnik than Gaudreau or even Byron. His offense is not potent enough for a player who doesn't kill penalties.

Exactly. Phillips has accomplished a lot for such a little guy, but the numbers and the consistency are just not there. Phillips is already 24-years-old and last year was his first ever +1.0 pts/GP season in the AHL. He has consistently been passed on the depth chart by younger players like Dube, Ruzicka, Pelletier, and I expect the same for Zary this season. I think this will probably be his last shot at a callup before settling back into a very good AHL career.

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[Sylvanfan]

If a guy like Phillips can't get a look in the NHL this year, it's time for him to start looking at some European Leagues. Not sure how many teams will pay 400k on a AHL deal for a guy like him. But might be able to come close to that in a European League with a lot less travel and games to play.

Pelletier is the obvious guy as there does look to be a spot in the top 9 forward group to be had. I'm also interested to see Kadri, but more thru the season. If he produces as a 60-65 point two way center that will be a big boost. If he's more like what Backlund was...45 ish point guy in that role...he will need a good playoff to keep the number of I told you so threads on this board to under 3 per week.

[agulati]

Originally Posted by Canada 02

Schwindt or Ruzicka will be the Wranglers #1 C

Would not be surprised if both start with the Wranglers, in which case, they will have great C depth

Doesn’t Ruzicka need waivers to be sent down? I’m not sure if he passes waivers.

[TheIronMaiden]

Am I crazy to think that Walker Duehr has a shot at playing 4th line minutes this season?

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

Am I crazy to think that Walker Duehr has a shot at playing 4th line minutes this season?

I bet he gets some games at some point, due to injury. Would be very surprised if he cracks the lineup out of camp though.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by agulati

Doesn’t Ruzicka need waivers to be sent down? I’m not sure if he passes waivers.

He will probably clear at the start of the year. Every other team is going to be crowding the waiver wire with similar players to get to roster compliance.

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[TheoFleury]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

He will probably clear at the start of the year. Every other team is going to be crowding the waiver wire with similar players to get to roster compliance.

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Not worth the risk IMO

[activeStick]

Tons of options.

Mangiapane - is he a legit goal scorer or was last season one of those that happens when everything went right for a player?

Dube - will he finally be able to establish himself in the top 6 permanently? Him and Mangiapane came up together (I think?) but Dube's inconsistency has put him behind

Huberdeau - new elite player coming in. What impact does he have on the top line?

Weegar - another new player touted as a top pair guy. What impact does he have on the transition game and overall defense?

Kadri - first time the Flames will have 3 solid centers in forever. Was a guy like Kadri what the Flames have been missing?

Pelletier or Ruzicka - will one of these guys be able to make the team and stay up permanently? Seems like Rooney is the competition for Ruzicka while Pelletier seems to have a spot on the wing to lock up.

Kylington - I think Sutter loved his pairs last year. Does he stick with Kylington with Tanev? Can he continue to improve?

Tanev - pretty big surgery in the offseason. Does he come back as the same steady player?

Vladar - played 23 games last season. I think Sutter was justified with the starts given to Markstrom last year with the breaks. Does Vladar's games played increase with no stoppages anticipated this year?

Valimaki and Mackey - do either of these guys get traded or claimed off waivers? Who gets the 7th spot on defense?

Stone - do the Flames sign him again?

[Rick M.]

Nice summary, active stick.

[mile]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1566511803949285377

[Reggie Dunlop]

They're not calling Phillips "Bubba" any more? That was his nickname in Junior, wasn't it?

[DoubleK]

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

Am I crazy to think that Walker Duehr has a shot at playing 4th line minutes this season?

Then we are both equally crazy. This team needs a RHS for the bottom 6 and outside of a trade, he's the best bet.

[GioforPM]

I think Kylington is teetering on the edge of being really great or hitting a wall big time. It will be interesting.

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Exactly. Phillips has accomplished a lot for such a little guy, but the numbers and the consistency are just not there. Phillips is already 24-years-old and last year was his first ever +1.0 pts/GP season in the AHL. He has consistently been passed on the depth chart by younger players like Dube, Ruzicka, Pelletier, and I expect the same for Zary this season. I think this will probably be his last shot at a callup before settling back into a very good AHL career.

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Gonna be the text critic here and say it's "24 years old," not "24-years-old."

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by Canada 02

Schwindt or Ruzicka will be the Wranglers #1 C

Would not be surprised if both start with the Wranglers, in which case, they will have great C depth

I would be amazed if Zary doesn't start at 1C. He has a way better claim to that spot than Schwindt, for sure. And I don't think Ruzicka will be with the Wranglers at all. I think there's a better chance Schwindt starts on the wing.

Also I think Phillips will get an NHL shot ... after he leaves the Flames as a UFA next summer. I disagree with the assessment he's been passed by Pelletier ... I think Pelletier has always been ahead on the hierarchy, and Phillips made Pelletier at times last year. Pelts also hasn't played yet despite how promising we all know he is. And you also have to remember, Phillips surpassed a point/game for the first time last year, but he led the Heat in scoring in 20–21 and was comfortably over point per game until the entire rest of the top six got injured/recalled. He was on a line with Giorgio Estephan for a while there.

He might be a Czarnik ... but he might be a Tyler Ennis. Small guys don't have to be stars to be useful. Can't say for certain what he is or isn't until we actually see him play.