2025 Draft: Who SHOULD the Flames pick at 18

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Yeah I wrestled with including him or not.

Thankless job creating polls!

You could always graduate Bear, and redo it with him off the list.

[TheIronMaiden]

For me I have Reschny over Cootes just because the Flames are dying for offense.

But what do I know. I trust GMCC.

[dissentowner]

If Aitcheson is there to me that's a no brainer. He won't be though. I think the pick will be Reschny.

[dammage79]

My vote is Cootes. But very happy with any other center option.

[Royle9]

Voted Bear because I think he's the highest ceiling player on that list but I don't think he's there at 18.

[bdubbs]

Voted Cootes because the kid has boots. And his hands are nothing to sniff at based on only highlights packages. His transition game seems quite good and he doesn't seem to shy away from using his puck handling to enter the offensive zone with pace.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Royle9

Voted Bear because I think he's the highest ceiling player on that list but I don't think he's there at 18.

Definitely Bear if he is there at 18, but based on all the rankings out there, it's hard to see him not taken at that point. Not completely outside the realm of possibility though.

[looooob]

Originally Posted by savardandjokinen

If Bear is there, Bear.
If Cootes is there, Cootes.
If Reschny is there, Reschny.
If those 3 guys are gone, BPA.

I want them to take a C but I'd rather take a guy like Lakovic than a Nesbitt just based on talent.

yeah I'm sorta thinking Bear (less likely available) and Cootes of the options shown


still sorta feel that even it plays out that way I'm going to a little feel like wish it was Reschny and that may only increase with time-- guess Reschny could either end up being a guy that you completely regret not taking, or more likely (and like most players on draft day) sort of forget about them having ever been an option

[Sylvanfan]

If Bear is still around, I'd be fine with them taking him.

[Royle9]

I'll add that Cole reminds me a lot of what Monahan looked like coming out of junior, but with a bit higher IQ, better skating.

I think he could be good, he effectively eliminated Catton one of the highest scoring forwards in the W from doing anything in playoffs.

[Rejean31]

Reschny. Gives me Doug Gilmour vibes.

[Finger Cookin]

Other: Tallest player available

[RyZ]

Outside of Bear, I have been pretty firmly in the Reschny/Kindel/Cootes camp for a while now. Any of those 3(4) names is going to keep me happy.

I know there is more to it, but Kindel and Reschny are almost the same size and same stats in the same league as Zach Benson when he went 13th to the Sabres a few years ago. I would even say that Benson had, by far, the most support of the 3 to get to those lofty numbers. Im pretty comfortable with that at 18 in what is looked upon as a much weaker draft.

Can any of our more knowledgeable prospect watchers comment on Benson vs Kindel/Reschny coming into the draft?

[DoubleK]

I voted Cootes only because he's the only player I saw live on that list.

[puckedoff]

Flames are taking Fiddler here (Orange Julius)

[Calgary4LIfe]

Bear for me.


If he is gone, I think I would go Lakovic. I don't see any top 6 centers left here to be honest, so I would rather go for the big winger who plays big and can score, or for Aitcheson who is the next Trouba. Either of these would make the Flames much harder to play against.

There aren't options for guys like Zharovsky and West here or @32 - I know the Russian is a fast riser and will be gone between 18 and 32, while West SHOULD be available at 32 (but isn't on that list). There are some good swings I think that aren't captured between 32 and 54, but maybe it makes this list way too long.

[JTech780]

Originally Posted by Royle9

I'll add that Cole reminds me a lot of what Monahan looked like coming out of junior, but with a bit higher IQ, better skating.

I think he could be good, he effectively eliminated Catton one of the highest scoring forwards in the W from doing anything in playoffs.

Catton had 14 points in 6 games in that series. I don't know if I would call that being eliminated.

[RyZ]

Originally Posted by JTech780

Catton had 14 points in 6 games in that series. I don't know if I would call that being eliminated.

Reschny also had 13pts in those 6 games. Maybe offsetting Catton rather than "eliminating" him.

[YyjFlames]

Originally Posted by JTech780

Catton had 14 points in 6 games in that series. I don't know if I would call that being eliminated.

"Often outplayed" is probably the better term... at least in the games I saw. Reschny's line played head-to-head with Catton/Cristall line, and Reschny's line very much kept up and often controlled the play. He was clearly better than Catton when I was watching.

Cristall was also the noticeable difference maker on Catton's line as well, and I think the stats actually show that as 9 of Catton's 14 points were secondary assists (with the primary assist or goal usually going to Cristall).

I'm not really knocking Catton, as I think he's going to be a decent player, I just think that series showed Reschny could keep up with the big boys in junior on both sides of the puck--even though he's younger and didn't quite have the talent beside him.

He's my pick at 18... if he's there.

[dissentowner]

My top 5 out of this group would be:
1. Aitcheson. He is a beast and he is a LD. Even if the offense doesn't carry over he is still Corey Sarich and those guys are invaluable to the playoffs. I don't think he makes it to us.

2. Bear. I don't think he makes it to us either. Doesn't play a position of need but he is still ahead of everybody else. He might be a top 5 talent in this draft.

3. Kindel. I would swing for the fences here. I think Reschny is the safer pick but if Kindel can get his skating even a bit better and play C you just nailed your top line C. His hockey IQ, passing, and shot are all already high level.

4. Reschny. I think this is who the Flames ultimately draft at 18 only because they might be able to also get Kindel at 32. I think he tops out as a solid 200 foot 2nd line C. Absolutely nothing wrong with that.

5. Cameron Reid. Plays the LD position and has a solid two way game. Very smart and a very good skater. I think he is going to be a second pairing guy

I am really not high on Cootes. I think if the Flames were set on their top 6 C he would be a great pick. I think Cootes has all the tools to be a high energy 3C but that's his ceiling.