[News] With the 144th OA pick, the Flames select LW Ethan Wyttenbach

[442scotty]

He’s rocking it and building confidence every game. What else can we ask for.

[Calgary4LIfe]

I liked the interview that was posted about making the big jump to the USHL and not even noticing the jump. He then makes a big jump into the NCAA, and apparently, he didn't even notice this jump either.


Maybe the Flames have a really good player on their hands. You can choose to be excited or not - that's up to you - but when a prospect is vastly exceeding expectations, looks great in games and in highlights, seems to have a really good head on his shoulders, and has more than one lucky season going, I choose to get excited. It is a lot more fun this way.


If i was a betting man, I would bet that Wyttenbach ends up as a really good player in the NHL. That's how he is trending thus far.

[gvitaly]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

I liked the interview that was posted about making the big jump to the USHL and not even noticing the jump. He then makes a big jump into the NCAA, and apparently, he didn't even notice this jump either.


Maybe the Flames have a really good player on their hands. You can choose to be excited or not - that's up to you - but when a prospect is vastly exceeding expectations, looks great in games and in highlights, seems to have a really good head on his shoulders, and has more than one lucky season going, I choose to get excited. It is a lot more fun this way.


If i was a betting man, I would bet that Wyttenbach ends up as a really good player in the NHL. That's how he is trending thus far.

This has been an absolutely great story. The best part is that the kid actually shoots Right as well. We could have him as the RS LW, with Gridin as the LS RW on the opposite flank. Obviously it's way too early, but I'll take any W I can get this season.

[Fire]

How does the NCAA players being allowed to make money work with transfers? Could Penn State for example promise Wyttenbach 500k if he transferred to them?

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by gvitaly

This has been an absolutely great story. The best part is that the kid actually shoots Right as well. We could have him as the RS LW, with Gridin as the LS RW on the opposite flank. Obviously it's way too early, but I'll take any W I can get this season.

Yeah, that's certainly going to be interesting to see where they end up in the lineup. Flames potentially drafting McKenna (or Stenberg) really makes the wingers interesting, but probably pushes both Wyttenbach and Gridin to the right.

McKenna - Reschny - Gridin/Wyttenbach
Honzek/Suniev - Potter/Stockselius - Grdin/Wyttenbach

That top 6 is starting to shape-up. That's a lot of speed and skill on those lines, but I am sure there will be more players pushing into those lines (drafted and as yet undrafted yet). Battaglia is having a terrible season for whatever reason, but I had him firmly in the 2nd line - one bad season won't write him off for me. Lots of shooters too - Gridin, Honzek, Suniev and Wyttenbach are all very good shots (as are McKenna and Stenberg if the hockey Gods help us a little). I know a lot of people are down on Honzek, but I am still a big believer in him. He also has a lethal shot - one that Iginla noticed and talked about. I think he will eventually pop here.

Still feels a little light down the middle, but with wingers this talented, they can prop-up average centers (though I obviously hope that the Flames draft more centers). Really fun speculating. And before anyone wants to poo poo on the parade, yes I know there will be players that won't make it. This exercise is just for fun.

[Just a guy]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

Yeah, that's certainly going to be interesting to see where they end up in the lineup. Flames potentially drafting McKenna (or Stenberg) really makes the wingers interesting, but probably pushes both Wyttenbach and Gridin to the right.

McKenna - Reschny - Gridin/Wyttenbach
Honzek/Suniev - Potter/Stockselius - Grdin/Wyttenbach

That top 6 is starting to shape-up. That's a lot of speed and skill on those lines, but I am sure there will be more players pushing into those lines (drafted and as yet undrafted yet). Battaglia is having a terrible season for whatever reason, but I had him firmly in the 2nd line - one bad season won't write him off for me. Lots of shooters too - Gridin, Honzek, Suniev and Wyttenbach are all very good shots (as are McKenna and Stenberg if the hockey Gods help us a little). I know a lot of people are down on Honzek, but I am still a big believer in him. He also has a lethal shot - one that Iginla noticed and talked about. I think he will eventually pop here.

Still feels a little light down the middle, but with wingers this talented, they can prop-up average centers (though I obviously hope that the Flames draft more centers). Really fun speculating. And before anyone wants to poo poo on the parade, yes I know there will be players that won't make it. This exercise is just for fun.

Where would you slot Coronato?

[PeteMoss]

Originally Posted by Fire

How does the NCAA players being allowed to make money work with transfers? Could Penn State for example promise Wyttenbach 500k if he transferred to them?

Yes - that is how it works now. Its basically like everyone is on a 1 year deal and free to move wherever.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by Just a guy

Where would you slot Coronato?

I don't know, but I hope that it becomes a problem in the next couple of seasons!

[Monahammer]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

McKenna - Reschny - Gridin
Wyttenbach - Potter/Stockselius - Coronato

Fixed this for you.

Honzek has a long, long way to go before top 6 is realistic for him. Also has to figure out how to gain bone density.

Suniev might get there but he's stumbling too.

[The EBUG's EBUG]

Genuinely curious what happens this offseason. Lets say he hits 50 points, finishes top 5 in NCAA scoring, has a nice little run in the postseason.

Have to wonder what the value add is in sending him back to the NCAA (either back with Quinnipiac or in the portal to a bigger program) for another year versus signing him and sticking him in the AHL.

If it's true that they were going to sign Potter at EOY maybe they turn around and give that deal to Wytttenbach and then lock him in the gym for the summer.

Really fun prospect.

[TherapyforGlencross]

Originally Posted by Monahammer

Fixed this for you.

Honzek has a long, long way to go before top 6 is realistic for him. Also has to figure out how to gain bone density.

Suniev might get there but he's stumbling too.

It could also play out like this:

X - Reschny - Gridin
Wyttenbach/Potter - Maholtra - Coronato
Potter/Wyttenbach - Stockselius - X

[Calgary Highlander]

I think one more year back in the NCAA, just to make gains in the gym to keep gaining strength and power. The grueling AHL schedule won't allow for the same type of training available to him in the NCAA.

If he dummies the NCAA with a 2.0PPG next season like Gaudreau did, then you know he's ready to enter the new building in a top-6 role in 2027-2028.

[The EBUG's EBUG]

Originally Posted by Calgary Highlander

I think one more year back in the NCAA, just to make gains in the gym to keep gaining strength and power. The grueling AHL schedule won't allow for the same type of training available to him in the NCAA.

If he dummies the NCAA with a 2.0PPG next season like Gaudreau did, then you know he's ready to enter the new building in a top-6 role in 2027-2028.

Very valid, do you keep him at Quinnipiac or send him to a bigger program? My thinking would be if he's going to have to adjust to a new environment I'd prefer it be where the Flames have complete control (Wranglers). That being said, I'd love to see a world where him and Potter are on the same line somewhere.

Would be hilarious if they end up drafting Verhoff and turn Nodak into a farm team, keep Reschny and Verhoff another year, transfer portal Wyttenbach and Potter.

[Calgary Highlander]

I think you keep him at Qunnipiac and see if he can elevate the team to their second NCAA title. By all account it's a stellar program, even if it is in a weaker conference.

I don't love the idea of our prospects eating away at each other's ice time. They can develop together once they are on the Wranglers/Flames.

[PeteMoss]

Originally Posted by Calgary Highlander

I think you keep him at Qunnipiac and see if he can elevate the team to their second NCAA title. By all account it's a stellar program, even if it is in a weaker conference.

I don't love the idea of our prospects eating away at each other's ice time. They can develop together once they are on the Wranglers/Flames.

I will say - 3 teams from Qunnipiac's conference have won the national title since the last Big 10 team. Big 10 teams and the Boston teams tend to land the players who are drafted early however.

[Tkachukwagon]

https://twitter.com/user/status/2018743477467803877

[FBI]

Wyttenbach having a comp to Rantanen, I suppose that'll do

[Kipper_3434]

Originally Posted by Fire

He's small and young with only one year of college. Thinking he's ready to play pro sounds quite optimistic.

He's leading a league dominated by 22 YO men. I think he would be just fine.

[Incogneto]

https://x.com/USHL/status/2018773238654898408?s=20

[Calgary Highlander]

Boeser had a pretty big regression from his D+1 to his D+2 in the NCAA.

If Wyttenbach improves next season, I think his potential is closer to Johnny than it is to Boeser (which sounds ridiculous to say about a guy the Flames drafted less than 8 months ago in the 5th round).