Calgarypuck Prospect Ranking 2025 - Round 6

[Yanda]

Originally Posted by Macindoc

That’s his floor. He is 100% an NHLer who probably would have been better served by not making the team straight out of camp in his D+1 year, only to be demoted and subsequently hampered by multiple random injuries, much like Backlund early in his career. That and his 200 foot game are the reasons for the comparisons. Honzek’s ceiling is still top six winger.

He is not a 100% NHLer, ill take this professionals word over your own.

[Yanda]

Originally Posted by Kipper_3434

He's had some injury trouble but has progressed just fine, had a decentrookie year in the AHL. Thought about Stromgren but he is older and only just now reaching his potential. Honzek is ahead of where Stromgren was at this stage. High floor player and a unique skill-set on our team.

Again, hes not even a guarenteed NHL player. 1 More injury derailed season and the Flames should be looking to move on from him.

[Calgary Highlander]

Basher for me.

He is a first line talent, just need to see if he can put it together.

[TheScorpion]

I just think this is way too early for Honzek.

[Samonadreau]

Went Morin, he doesnt have the crazy points but is the best all around defender left and has a pretty high floor, IMO.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

I just think this is way too early for Honzek.

I think there is a group here of around 5 or 6 that are all valid.

Basha: Tremendous upside but didn't play much due to injury. Needs a healthy season next year to take a step

Battaglia: Great production in junior, but the boots remain an issue and could hold him back.

Honzek: Great physical attributes and playing pro hockey already, which no on else in this range is doing. Higher floor but not progressing as one would hope.

Mews: Tons of upside, but questions on his ability to defend.

Morin: My pick. Largely because of the progression he made last season to address gaps in his game.

Suniev: NHL shot. Skating also an issue here. First season of pro will tell us a lot.

To me that's the list here, and I think all of them are fair choices because all of positive attributes but also some risk elements.

[TheIronMaiden]

Originally Posted by Yanda

He is not a 100% NHLer, ill take this professionals word over your own.

Spoiler!

I'm not going to pretend the know more than the next guy, but there is an inherent fallacy comparing prospects we are still playing minor leagues to those who are playing pro hockey.

The Suniev, Bash, Battalia, Mews are all good prospects, but have always played against lesser opponents, which naturally makes them look better. It's like a mystery box is more exciting than a modest prize, or Phillips ranks higher on these polls than Lomberg.

With Honzek he's be exposed to the pro level of hockey and international hockey. Yeah, it exposes he's unlikely to be a top line guy, but it also has shown that Honzek has the ability to do this against people trying out for the NHL

https://www.nhl.com/flames/video/sea...-6362695173112

[looooob]

not sure what this is about to add, but throwing it out there anyhow. some interesting discussion at this point (alot of it focused around Honzek and apparently whether he is either the most or least sure fire at this point- I have not clue tbh, although I"m not voting him yet)


this is an imperfect list as it doesn't account for the most recent guys, or a few of the euro forwards or Coronato (nor the D but I could have put Mews in I guess)


listing here the Flames 1st or 2nd rounders that played in the CHL in their D+1 year with their birthdate (ranked by oldest/youngest), their IHDB height, their CHL league and their D+1 PPG


Zary Sept 25 6' WHL 1.6
Basha Nov 8 6' WHL 1.26
Honzek Nov 12 6'4 WHL .94
Gridin Mar 1 6'1 Q 1.41
Pelts Mar 7 5'9 Q 1.44
Battaglia Mar 17 6'1 OHL 1.32


Most people have at least one 'yeah but' (except for Battaglia probably- although he has his own- skating mostly caveats), including small (Pelts esp) , old for draft class (Zary for sure, Basha and Honzek ish), injuries/covid small numbers (Basha, Honzek, Zary) or QMJHL (Pelletier, Gridin)


of these I guess we know what Zary and Pelletier became so that helps a little, and Honzek has played a pro year, which is a good checkmark for him, although it was probably a neutral arrow at best

[HitterD]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

I think there is a group here of around 5 or 6 that are all valid.

Basha: Tremendous upside but didn't play much due to injury. Needs a healthy season next year to take a step

Battaglia: Great production in junior, but the boots remain an issue and could hold him back.

Honzek: Great physical attributes and playing pro hockey already, which no on else in this range is doing. Higher floor but not progressing as one would hope.

Mews: Tons of upside, but questions on his ability to defend.

Morin: My pick. Largely because of the progression he made last season to address gaps in his game.

Suniev: NHL shot. Skating also an issue here. First season of pro will tell us a lot.

To me that's the list here, and I think all of them are fair choices because all of positive attributes but also some risk elements.

Great summary here. I’m also curious to see where Stockselius fits in to this grouping after this season. It’s too early for me to know much about him beyond his draft profile, but he seems to have the tools and size to fit into this group of exciting potential NHLers and may very well be the Flames 3rd best C prospect.

And then there’s Misa who could easily work his way into this grouping if he can show well in college

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Yanda

Again, hes not even a guarenteed NHL player. 1 More injury derailed season and the Flames should be looking to move on from him.

Literally NO ONE who is left is a guaranteed NHLer.

Honzek has played in the NHL and looked good doing it. None of Mews, Basha or Battaglia have played a pro game at any level.

You can be as down on Honzek as you like, but your argument here is completely off base.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

I think there is a group here of around 5 or 6 that are all valid.

Basha: Tremendous upside but didn't play much due to injury. Needs a healthy season next year to take a step

Battaglia: Great production in junior, but the boots remain an issue and could hold him back.

Honzek: Great physical attributes and playing pro hockey already, which no on else in this range is doing. Higher floor but not progressing as one would hope.

Mews: Tons of upside, but questions on his ability to defend.

Morin: My pick. Largely because of the progression he made last season to address gaps in his game.

Suniev: NHL shot. Skating also an issue here. First season of pro will tell us a lot.

To me that's the list here, and I think all of them are fair choices because all of positive attributes but also some risk elements.

Yup, these 6 round out the top 11, and then there is a ledge to the next tier

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

It's Battaglia for me.

Basha missing development time tentatively bumps him down for now.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Also Kerins belongs in this tier.

The lack of recognition is maddening to me. Just needs skating work but he's lighting the A on fire much like Coronato did the year prior.

Next step should be the NHL if they leave a path for him.

[RyZ]

I thought Battaglia pulled away from Basha during Bashas injury last year. Im pretty shocked to see that wide gulf between those 2 in voting.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Battaglia. Great D+1 year, can’t believe how stacked that 2024 draft is. Might go down as one of the best ever if it continues to trend the way it is.

Honzek probably wins this one, but I definitely disagree with it. I would argue Suniev, who is almost exactly the same age (just days apart) and being drafted later in the same draft, has had a more impressive D+1/D+2.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by TrentCrimmIndependent

Also Kerins belongs in this tier.

The lack of recognition is maddening to me. Just needs skating work but he's lighting the A on fire much like Coronato did the year prior.

Next step should be the NHL if they leave a path for him.

He’s also in his D+5. I would hope he has progressed to where he is. The players ahead of him should be better by there D+5s. I like Kerins, but I think he’s more 11-15 range.

[Displaced Flames fan]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Yup, these 6 round out the top 11, and then there is a ledge to the next tier

I think there is one more in that tier. He will probably get my vote on day 8 or 9.

[Bonded]

I think Honzek is a pretty safe bet to at least be a Joe Colborne type. Not sure there is much more than that though.

[Yanda]

Originally Posted by TrentCrimmIndependent

Also Kerins belongs in this tier.

The lack of recognition is maddening to me. Just needs skating work but he's lighting the A on fire much like Coronato did the year prior.

Next step should be the NHL if they leave a path for him.

I think due to age, Kerins is at the limit of what would be considered a prospect. This will probably hurt his ranking a bit.. will be an interesting arguement 12+ when were debating Suniev, Stockselius, Kerins, Morin ect.

[devo22]

surprised by this. I just don't see it with Honzek, but I'd love to be wrong.

Went with Morin, but that was pretty much a coin toss between him, Mews, Battaglia, Suniev and Basha. Had all of them ahead of Honzek, honestly.