Prospects To Watch at the 2023-24 Camp

[Reggie Dunlop]

Jones was a non-factor in Penticton.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by Kipper_3434

Klapka climbing the charts thanks to recency bias. I still think his skill level is too low for the big league, maybe a 13th forward.

Recency bias is why all prospects get chances in the NHL, and how all players climb or fall in "the charts."

Prospects consistently getting better and having better showings is exactly what you want to see. He was good in the AHL last season, great in the prospects tourney, and will have a chance to prove that wasn't just a great showing in a meaningless tournament when main camp hits.

I don't see how it makes sense to write him off as what he looked like however long ago.

[Savvy27]

Players who will push for a spot on the team.

#63 Ruzicka - I am a fan of Ruzicka, but there is a question of where he fits on the team. He produced well in the top 6 as a winger, but the team only seems to have 3 surefire centers (Lindholm, Backlund, Kadri). I am very curious about what position we see him put in at camp, between LW/C. As others have mentioned, it may be interesting to have a huge line with him, Klapka, and Duehr. I just question if that is a role well suited to him.

#71 Duehr - this is one of those rare players who seems to rise or sink to whichever level he is placed. You would think that someone who found success offensively in the NHL would have scored more in the AHL both before and after his NHL time, but alas he kind of fits wherever he goes. He has great speed and I think his shot and hands are NHL level, so there is nothing physical holding him back from being a top 9 player for the Flames. He may carve out a Glencross/Donovan type role on the team and put a decent career together.

#32 Wolf - I get the impression that the back up spot is Vladar's to lose and that spot duty in the Show is the best Wolf can hope for without another catastrophic goaltending display at the NHL level. He seems to me to be a brilliant student of the game and hopefully the next franchise goalie for the Flames.

#39 Coronato - now that Conroy and the 960 guys have focused on the Cammalleri comparison, it's probably worthwhile to keep expectations in perspective and consider that Cammalleri played three seasons of NCAA compared to Coronato's two, and two partial seasons in the AHL before a full season in the AHL due to the lockout. There is a very good chance that he'll spend time with the Wranglers before getting a long look in the NHL. He's definitely more of a triggerman, although I think he's a bit better at forechecking than Cammalleri was. If he sticks in the NHL right out of camp, I think it will mean he's found some chemistry with a set up man.

#22 Pelletier - A smart, hard-working, responsible player who has already demonstrated that he can play in the top 9 without hurting the team. He needs to answer the question of what kind of offense he can ultimately produce as an NHL player, but I doubt we ever see him in the AHL again. His personality is a big asset and given that the Flames are being scrutinized severely, I can see the organization valuing a guy like him even more to bring positivity to the team and fan base.

#47 Zary - he's probably the most interesting prospect to watch in camp for me. He had a sneaky good season last year when you consider he moved to center at the pro level for the first time and produced pretty well. As I mentioned, the Flames are not flush with centermen at the moment and I think there is a chance that Ruzicka may earn a spot in the top 9 at wing. If that happens then perhaps a door opens for a player who had a great camp last season. If not, then this season he needs to absolutely grab the top line C position for the Wranglers and produce.

# ?? Poirier - injured to start camp and way back in the pecking order at the moment. Even if he plays during camp, I'd be surprised if they had any other plans than a long stretch to prove his game and develop more in the AHL.

#43 Klapka - I'm going to venture a guess that Klapka makes the team as a 13th forward. He checks a lot of boxes in that he brings size, speed, and fighting ability to a team with a lack of it. He was good in Penticton, showing more impressive hands than I expected and some great patience with the puck when playing offence. Right handed, big, signed as a free agent... lots of reasons to give the guy a chance.

Jones - Ben Jones is in a similar spot to Zary. A spot might open up for him depending on Ruzicka. He has NHL experience, he was the top C for the most part with the Wranglers and he doesn't have an obvious weakness like lack of size or speed that would make the coaches look elsewhere. This is probably the best chance he'll get to be an NHLer and he's got a few competitors he's going to have to beat out. Should be very fun to watch his camp.

[TheIronMaiden]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

Was Jones even there, or are you talking about last season?

He is going to be 25 years old before the end of this season. The clock is quickly ticking on him if he is ever going to be a full time NHL player.

ARG I got bell and jones mixed up. Damn white people names.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

ARG I got bell and jones mixed up. Damn white people names.

Bell was okay in the tournament. I think that he missed the one last year due to injury, so this was his first one. At any rate, the organization should make a decision soon to sign him, whether it's to go back to Tri-City, or turn pro with the Wranglers. He should dominate in the Dub, which is where I'd have him for now.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Goriders

Kuznetsov was the best dman at the youngstars. I think he should be a little higher on people’s lists. Super solid, calm, great at starting the transition up ice, as physical as is required.

Think the thing with him (and Klapka to an extent) is it would be good for both of them to play more minutes on the farm getting more time with puck.

They could play 4th line or bottom pairing today but might be better for them to play top 6 or top pair on the farm for their long term development.

[boogerz]

Lets not forget about Pettersen. He just finished his ELC and he'll be 23 y/o the entire season. IIRC, he was also injured for a good portion of training camp last year.

It should be interesting to see if he can take his game up another notch.





EDIT: The pandemic really mixed things up, but it feels crazy how young some of these players still are compared to how long they've been playing in the AHL - e.g. Zary, Kuznetsov, Pettersen, and Schwindt are all 4th year pros already despite only being 21-23 y/o

[Sandman]

Glad to hear that Jones is getting some love. I've been talking him up since we signed him. He was a star in junior, and has some of the fire we need in our bottom-6, with good speed, two-way acumen, and underrated offense. I hope he's a bit like a poor-man's Ross Colton, who didn't really start making an impact in the NHL until he was 24/25, and has some of the same traits as Jones.

[Royle9]

Does anyone know if main camp is open to the public this year?
Last few years its been closed, really enjoyed taking my 2 young ones even if its for 30 mins, gives them a taste of the dome and they get excited.

[Goriders]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Think the thing with him (and Klapka to an extent) is it would be good for both of them to play more minutes on the farm getting more time with puck.

They could play 4th line or bottom pairing today but might be better for them to play top 6 or top pair on the farm for their long term development.

Hard to tell as I don’t know him beyond watching those 3 games. But he was the most solid defenceman. If I were running a team I would want as many of those as I could get.

[Funkhouser]

Bump

After a few games, the roster choices are solidifying:
-Duehr & Coronato have earned a place IMO
-Pelletier & Ruzicka have enough experience and are not waiver eligible
-Klapka, Solovyov & Wolf are on the bubble

13th fwd and 7th D may get taken by Jones, Oesterle or Gilbert

[kipperiggy]

Looks like Pelts is likely starting the year on injury reserve.

[Enoch Root]

Guys who are putting themselves in the conversation on forward:

Pelletier, Coronato, Duehr, Ruzicka, Klapka, Jones, Hunt (5 spots available)

on defense:

Oesterle, Gilbert, Solovyov, and maybe De Simone (2 spots, including Kylington's)

[Toonage]

If Gilbert is hurt and misses the start of the season (and Kylington doesn't return either) then Solovyov is a lock IMO for the 7D spot. A lot of if's, but plausible.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by Toonage

If Gilbert is hurt and misses the start of the season (and Kylington doesn't return either) then Solovyov is a lock IMO for the 7D spot. A lot of if's, but plausible.

I would think Solovyov would get sent down rather than sit and watch. DeSimone probably gets that 7th spot. Do I think Solovyov has been better than DeSimone? Absolutely, but it would probably be a better idea to have him play more games.

[Toonage]

Fair point. I figured he'd alternate with Oesterle but that still might not be enough playing time for a prospect.

[shutout]

Backup goaltending has been solved after the games last night.
Vladar exceptional with an AHL squad.
Wolf looking like he is not ready to be able to play at the NHL level and win games.

[TheIronMaiden]

A few more thoughts.


Coronato I think it would be a big surprise if he doesn't play the majority of his year in the NHL. The guy can shoot. His real concern is strength, which will come with time.

Duehr is not a prospect. He is an NHLer

Klapka has not stood off the page, but I still think they give him a longer look. expect more games for him.

Ruzicka looks good, but his problem isn't a skill issue but a consistency issue hard to say.

Lipinski will be one hell of a prospect. The Hype train starts now.

Stromgren is fast and tenacious. I don't think he cracks the roster, but he has NHL skating

Pelletier please get better soon.

I haven't had a good look at Solovyov, Zary or Morin.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by shutout

Backup goaltending has been solved after the games last night.
Vladar exceptional with an AHL squad.
Wolf looking like he is not ready to be able to play at the NHL level and win games.

It was one preseason game. Nothing has been "solved" on the basis of one preseason game. Camp is two weeks.

[HighLifeMan]

Originally Posted by shutout

Backup goaltending has been solved after the games last night.
Vladar exceptional with an AHL squad.
Wolf looking like he is not ready to be able to play at the NHL level and win games.

Imagine making roster decisions and drawing definitive conclusions on players after seeing their first game action in months. Pretty ridiculous take. But hey, let's just ignore the past four years where Wolf has the been the best goaltender at every level he has played.