[News] With the 18th OA pick, the Flames select C Cole Reschny

[Niemo]

Thanks Mile. I'll know where to look next time!

[InternationalVillager]

Originally Posted by mile

https://thehockeywriters.com/2025-nh...ights-weights/


Measured 5-foot-10.75, 180lbs at the combine

I think he's got a solid chance at gaining another .25

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by mile

https://thehockeywriters.com/2025-nh...ights-weights/


Measured 5-foot-10.75, 180lbs at the combine

So, 5'11" if he spends the summer running barefoot, and gets thicker calluses on his feet.

[jg13]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1950749633460007249

[Goriders]

Originally Posted by Jay Random

So, 5'11" if he spends the summer running barefoot, and gets thicker calluses on his feet.

Or don’t get a haircut before camp

[Hot_Flatus]

Originally Posted by JTech780

I have seen a lot people question whether he will be able to stick at center a the NHL level, and that his skating good, but not dynamic, which for his size isn't great.

I am hoping that between the strength and conditioning coaches and skating coaches that the Flames will be able to improve his skating. If he wants to be a center at the NHL level his skating will have to be more than just good. I think he will get there.

I think you're digging too far into dated small player jargin where the odd person is concerned about his size. There are plenty of 5'11 or below centers that have turned into fantastic top 6 players, if not top line players recently. Nick Suzuki, Seth Jarvis, Marco Rossi, even Jack Hughes etc.

Every legit scout has said as long as Reschny's skating continues to trend upwards like you say, then he's a can't miss player that could well outperform his draft slot. It's also quite common for players skating to be labeled an area of improvement. He's not even billed as a weak skater, just someone that needs to work on his skating to reach his full potential.

None of this adds up to a situation where he's not able to play C in my mind unless something really unforeseen happens like an injury or he falls off a cliff performance wise.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by Hot_Flatus

I think you're digging too far into dated small player jargin where the odd person is concerned about his size. There are plenty of 5'11 or below centers that have turned into fantastic top 6 players, if not top line players recently. Nick Suzuki, Seth Jarvis, Marco Rossi, even Jack Hughes etc.

Every legit scout has said as long as Reschny's skating continues to trend upwards like you say, then he's a can't miss player that could well outperform his draft slot. It's also quite common for players skating to be labeled an area of improvement. He's not even billed as a weak skater, just someone that needs to work on his skating to reach his full potential.

None of this adds up to a situation where he's not able to play C in my mind unless something really unforeseen happens like an injury or he falls off a cliff performance wise.

5'11" and 180lbs is not small for an NHL centre prospect. If he was 165lbs or less, I'd have concerns. He can easily bulk up to 190-200 lbs.

Crosby is 5'11'' and 200lbs FFS. 5'11'' is not so small that it's a detriment to playing, and it give him a big enough frame to get close to that 200lbs mark, and at 200lbs you've got enough mass to play the position at the very highest level.

Let's also keep in mind, by the time many players get to 6'3'', their lankiness and higher centre of gravity can be a negative. How many forwards play a high skilled game at above 6'3''?

All of the top centres in the league right now are between 5'10'' and 6'3''. I guess you could include Tage Thompson as a "top centre", at 6'6''? But honestly, I don't know where people are getting this idea that 5'11'' is too short to play as a #1 centre. If he can bulk up to even 190lbs, Reschny's size will not be a factor. Even then, you have guys like Keller, Hughes, and Point who are doing a fine job at around 175 lbs.

[Bingo]

Surprised there isn't more discussion about Reschny moving up the ranks at the summer showcase.

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Surprised there isn't more discussion about Reschny moving up the ranks at the summer showcase.

I truly haven’t been following. Has he looked great

[Monahammer]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Surprised there isn't more discussion about Reschny moving up the ranks at the summer showcase.

Was it moving up the ranks or more just line shuffling to see what chemistry might be there? Not sure. Either way he was impressive in the showcase.

I am almost more impressed with Potter though. Came in and grabbed a centre spot while being labelled a winger. Put up some points.

[stemit14]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Surprised there isn't more discussion about Reschny moving up the ranks at the summer showcase.

It is good to see especially considering how many centers there are to choose from at the showcase. Hoping he makes the team in December. Would like to see a bunch of flames prospects playing big roles at the World Juniors.

[GioforPM]

5'11 definitely isn't too small. It's not like he's a Fleury or MSL. It is at the lower end of the top guys, but not incredibly so. And if he's Jack Hughes, that's just fine with me.

[circle]

I believe the reasoning for matching Reschny with McKenna is that they were linemates for the Hlinka Gretzky tournament last year and they showed lots of chemistry back then.

[YyjFlames]

Originally Posted by Hot_Flatus

I think you're digging too far into dated small player jargin where the odd person is concerned about his size. There are plenty of 5'11 or below centers that have turned into fantastic top 6 players, if not top line players recently. Nick Suzuki, Seth Jarvis, Marco Rossi, even Jack Hughes etc.

Every legit scout has said as long as Reschny's skating continues to trend upwards like you say, then he's a can't miss player that could well outperform his draft slot. It's also quite common for players skating to be labeled an area of improvement. He's not even billed as a weak skater, just someone that needs to work on his skating to reach his full potential.

None of this adds up to a situation where he's not able to play C in my mind unless something really unforeseen happens like an injury or he falls off a cliff performance wise.

His skating isn't too bad, especially with how smart and determined he is, but yeah, he's got to work on it (and he will regardless).

That McKenna/Reschny clip is a pretty good demonstration of the skills he has that should help keep him at centre: he's smart, calm, has amazing on ice awareness, and he positions himself well and is constantly reading the ice so his angles are easy.

You can see him, after he takes the puck back from McKenna, first look for the cross ice pass -- which he probably would have hit for a ++ scoring opportunity if the defender had pinched in more -- and then he quickly pivots to find McKenna with a quick pass and a ++ scoring chance. He then stays high to support the puck and is in a good position to disrupt the cycle when his teammates lose the board battle. The opposition disrupts his pass behind the net and they cycle it to the other side... where he's already cutting across to support his d pinching, first going to the wall in case the puck pops out quickly and then back at the point to minimize a rush.

This isn't an unusual shift for him either. So excited for this prospect.

[Niemo]

I think 5'11" is fine. Judging from the examples, if you are shorter than 5'11", it seems like you need elite puck skills and skating to thrive and be a difference maker - both of which Cole Reschny doesn't have. However, if he can bulk up and improve his skating under Danielle, he seems to have the tools to be an awesome 2C at least. He looked pretty slight in the interviews (just seeing his upper body).

[hixxes]

Another good example is Brayden Point at 5’11” and 175lbs.

Things to work on for sure, but see no reason to question his chances at playing C.

[Hockey-and_stuff]

Nathan MacKinnon: 6 feet tall, perennial MVP, one of the best players in the league

Cole Reschny: 5'11, shrimpy, weak, pathetic, will never cut it in the big leagues.

Sent from my Pixel 7 Pro using Tapatalk

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Monahammer

Was it moving up the ranks or more just line shuffling to see what chemistry might be there? Not sure. Either way he was impressive in the showcase.

I am almost more impressed with Potter though. Came in and grabbed a centre spot while being labelled a winger. Put up some points.

Absolutely.

But then I don't think you test chemistry at #1 center for a guy you don't see as having a chance.

Either way really good sign.

[Robbob]

Yeah, not going to lie that I didn't have Reschny centering Mckenna on my Bingo card.

[UKflames]

Originally Posted by Robbob

Yeah, not going to lie that I didn't have Reschny centering Mckenna on my Bingo card.

Just getting the chemistry running for future Flames seasons