2025 NHL Draft Thread

[HitterD]

I seem to recall the same concern about his injury (back?) around the draft as well. Must have been ok for the Blue Jackets to take him that high with the knowledge they had at the time. Hopefully it doesn’t derail him too much. Losing a lot of development time at that age can really hurt the progression. Much like it did with Bennett

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Really hard to predict. i think they are going to be in the 4-6 range.
But hockey is probably the most random of sports. So who knows. I just think the blueline and goaltending will ensure they are near the bottom.

Hockey is really random. But the Athletic’s projections, built off Dom Luszczyszyn player analytics, has the Flames with a 45 per cent chance of finishing bottom 5, and an 80 per cent chance of finishing bottom 10. Their conclusion is that the Flames have too many decent players to be a terrible team. Specifically, they have the team’s middle-six wingers as among the stronger groups in the league.

[fotze2]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

Hockey is really random. But the Athletic’s projections, built off Dom Luszczyszyn player analytics, has the Flames with a 45 per cent chance of finishing bottom 5, and an 80 per cent chance of finishing bottom 10. Their conclusion is that the Flames have too many decent players to be a terrible team. Specifically, they have the team’s middle-six wingers as among the stronger groups in the league.

You had one job Conroy and you fataed it all up.

[Hockey-and_stuff]

I still think the lack of top end talent combined with the bad defense and nebulous goaltending will sink the team over the course of the season.

[Funkhouser]

Once we offload Mantha, Kuzmenko, Coleman & Anderson, we will free fall to the bottom

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by Funkhouser

Once we offload Mantha, Kuzmenko, Coleman & Anderson, we will free fall to the bottom

I really don't think Coleman will be offloaded this season. Next summer of season is when he goes.

[Sandman]

I would hate to lose Coleman, he’s the perfect guy to lead the youth coming in.

[Tbull8]

A guy I see as very important and likely a future captain of the Wranglers is Ciona. Seems like a very good leader, and a guy that will fill whatever role they ask him to

[Monahammer]

I think we need to lose at least one of our top 2 dmen and 2 middle six forwards to guarantee a bottom 5 finish.

Weegar-Coleman-Kuz would probably be the most lethal trio to lose. More likely Rasmus-Mantha- Kuz head out. Don't know if that weakens us quite enough.

[Icon]

Originally Posted by Monahammer

I think we need to lose at least one of our top 2 dmen and 2 middle six forwards to guarantee a bottom 5 finish.

Weegar-Coleman-Kuz would probably be the most lethal trio to lose. More likely Rasmus-Mantha- Kuz head out. Don't know if that weakens us quite enough.

I think all it'll take is a couple injuries or guys having "off years" to bottom out. Trading players away will just compound that.

Sure there's a chance we're tough to play against and some guys have break out seasons and we're in the playoff hunt or at least middle of the pack... but I think that takes more going right to happen than it'll require to go the opposite way.

[The Cobra]

I think our ability to stay out of the bottom of the league depends entirely upon goaltending.

if that surprises, the Flames will not stink as bad as some teams, at least not before trades.

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by The Cobra

I think our ability to stay out of the bottom of the league depends entirely upon goaltending.

if that surprises, the Flames will not stink as bad as some teams, at least not before trades.

The defense is terrible though. Wolf or Vladar would need to be vezina level

[Paulie Walnuts]

The backend and goaltending should allow us to be in the bottom probably lower, once we send guys packing and hopefully a little earlier we should sink into the bottom 5 easily.

[1qqaaz]

2025 draft eligible Jett Lajoie had 10 points in 60 WHL games last year. This year his has 10 points in 6 WHL games so far. Tied with McQueen and others for the lead in WHL points.

The Calgary Hitman have a defenseman, Reese Hamilton, who could go in the first few rounds. He plays with Flames prospect Axel Hurtig. Might be interesting to follow them this year.

[Dan403]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

Hockey is really random. But the Athletic’s projections, built off Dom Luszczyszyn player analytics, has the Flames with a 45 per cent chance of finishing bottom 5, and an 80 per cent chance of finishing bottom 10. Their conclusion is that the Flames have too many decent players to be a terrible team. Specifically, they have the team’s middle-six wingers as among the stronger groups in the league.

Did they factor in the fact that we’re gonna trade Kuzmenko, Ras, Mantha & Barrie at some point this season?

[Royle9]

Keep an eye on Ethan Belchez.
Looking like the next Lindros at 6’4 / 225 @ 16
9 pts in 3 games so far in the OHL.

[Snuffleupagus]

Another kid to watch is center Tyler Hopkins, he's a teammate of Battaglia's in Kingston, apparently had a great summer is is now bigger than his listed 6'1 185lbs. scouts love everything about this kid on and off the ice.

[sch19lks]

Originally Posted by Royle9

Keep an eye on Ethan Belchez.
Looking like the next Lindros at 6’4 / 225 @ 16
9 pts in 3 games so far in the OHL.

He’s really good, could be an absolute beast. 6 points a couple nights ago. I live near Windsor, I can’t wait to watch him live

[Snuffleupagus]

Originally Posted by Royle9

Keep an eye on Ethan Belchez.
Looking like the next Lindros at 6’4 / 225 @ 16
9 pts in 3 games so far in the OHL.

Yeah Belchetz is a monster, he's actually 6'5/231 now and doesn't turn 17 until March

He's a name to watch for the 26 draft though

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

Hockey is really random. But the Athletic’s projections, built off Dom Luszczyszyn player analytics, has the Flames with a 45 per cent chance of finishing bottom 5, and an 80 per cent chance of finishing bottom 10. Their conclusion is that the Flames have too many decent players to be a terrible team. Specifically, they have the team’s middle-six wingers as among the stronger groups in the league.

I rarely think much of anything I read from the Athletic - especially about the Flames. But I think they are dead on with this assessment.