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

[Hot_Flatus]

Originally Posted by PeteMoss

They've won a game in the tournament 4 of those 6 times in the tournament. They don't go and just get plastered.

You are looking at it from some kind of Flames development perspective.

Players might transfer if they are on a garbage team, but most players aren't going to leave a winning program to go to some team that may or may not make the Frozen Four to get more of a challenge. You are also looking at like 6 games a season where the Big 10 team is playing better teams than the Quinnipiac. And most of those best players are 18/19 (like he is) - so you can argue that playing teams with more older guys is just as beneficial. The whole Boston University team is basically drafted and they are a 500 team while playing in a similar conference as Q.

If the Flames want to control his development, sign him and figure out the best path for it between AHL/ECHL and NHL on your own dime.

Yeah you're definitely not leaving a program just to find better competition. If that was the focus he would simply tell the Flames he wants to sign a pro deal to play in the AHL next year and they would work something out. If transferring was necessary to his growth, I'd ask why didn't players like Adam Fox, Devon Toews or Matt Coronato transfer out of the ECAC? It's because the disparity is simply not that wide from the ECAC to other conferences like some here are suggesting.

Wyttenbach also recently mentioned he chose Q because of the quality of its strength and conditioning program and ability to grow his 200ft game with the coaching staff in place. Seems like someone that is more than happy to keep at it another year and sign a pro contract when he's feeling his body and hockey IQ is at a point where he can compete with pros.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by GoFlamesGo89

I don't follow the prospects too closely, but after looking at Wyttenbach's stats in this thread, I'm curious why Reschney, Gridin, and this year's pick would be higher? I don't see any of them being clear 'stars' whereas Wyttenbach seems to be on that trajectory...

I've watched a number of Wyttenbach's games and he's an interesting guy. He has really nice hands and a good release. Not a true sniper, doesn't possess a bullet shot, but in alone he's almost automatic. He's really opportunistic and cherry picks at times. Like as soon a puck looks like it's turned over he's blown the zone and is up ice looking for the stretch pass. Defense is a weakness. He's kind of a one-way player at this point, which doesn't stand up to Reschny or Potter. He skates pretty well, but not as good as Potter or Reschny. There is a reason why he drafted where he was drafted. He is the sum of his parts and some of his parts are not great. It's one of the reasons why I would like to see him move to a stronger program with a more pro-oriented game. Might really help his development and round his game so he is a top end player. As he is, he may struggle at the pro game because the expectation will be for him to play hard at both ends. Potential is huge based on the steps he took this year, but he definitely doesn't want to plateau and stagnate.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Lanny_McDonald

I would put him in the same group as Reschny and Potter, probably just behind those two, meaning they probably all fall behind this year's #1, and possibly both #1s, and a couple already picked players. That's a good thing IMO. I think the rankings will probably fall out something like this:

#1 - 2026 Flames' first pick
#2 - Parekh
#3 - 2026 Knights' first pick
#4 - Reschny
#5 - Potter
#6 - Gridin
#7 - Wyttenbach

I know this is your list, but as far as the voting goes, I think it is extremely unlikely that the VGS pick will go ahead of Reschny or Gridin, and probably unlikely that it goes ahead of Potter and Wyttenbach, but that will be close. My guess:

1) Flames 1st
2) Parekh
3) Gridin / Reschny
4) Reschny / Gridin
5) Wyttenbach
6) Potter
7) Brzustewicz
8) VGS pick
9) Honzek

(recognizing that 1 or 2 of them may be graduated). None the less, that is developing into a pretty solid list!

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

If parekh and gridin are still considered prospects by then

'26 top 5 pick
Parekh
Gridin
Reschny
Wyttenbach
Potter
Stockselius
Mews

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by GoFlamesGo89

I don't follow the prospects too closely, but after looking at Wyttenbach's stats in this thread, I'm curious why Reschney, Gridin, and this year's pick would be higher? I don't see any of them being clear 'stars' whereas Wyttenbach seems to be on that trajectory...

Well, in Gridin's case, assuming he doesn't graduate his ranking will be because we've seen what he can do at the NHL level. With Reschny it's a combination of his draft position, what he's done at university (which is also very impressive and ND is a little more regarded than Quinnipac, though they are both pretty high in the rankings) and his performance at the WJCs.

[activeStick]

Originally Posted by Lanny_McDonald

I've watched a number of Wyttenbach's games and he's an interesting guy. He has really nice hands and a good release. Not a true sniper, doesn't possess a bullet shot, but in alone he's almost automatic. He's really opportunistic and cherry picks at times. Like as soon a puck looks like it's turned over he's blown the zone and is up ice looking for the stretch pass. Defense is a weakness. He's kind of a one-way player at this point, which doesn't stand up to Reschny or Potter. He skates pretty well, but not as good as Potter or Reschny. There is a reason why he drafted where he was drafted. He is the sum of his parts and some of his parts are not great. It's one of the reasons why I would like to see him move to a stronger program with a more pro-oriented game. Might really help his development and round his game so he is a top end player. As he is, he may struggle at the pro game because the expectation will be for him to play hard at both ends. Potential is huge based on the steps he took this year, but he definitely doesn't want to plateau and stagnate.

Thanks. Appreciate these insights even if they aren't in his favour as it provides a different perspective.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

I know this is your list, but as far as the voting goes, I think it is extremely unlikely that the VGS pick will go ahead of Reschny or Gridin, and probably unlikely that it goes ahead of Potter and Wyttenbach, but that will be close. My guess:

1) Flames 1st
2) Parekh
3) Gridin / Reschny
4) Reschny / Gridin
5) Wyttenbach
6) Potter
7) Brzustewicz
8) VGS pick
9) Honzek

(recognizing that 1 or 2 of them may be graduated). None the less, that is developing into a pretty solid list!

Recency bias says the Vegas pick will be over-rated and ranked higher. You see it every single draft and the post draft rankings.

Anyone who watches Wyttenbach and Potter will acknowledge Potter is the more dynamic and better player. I could understand why he may not garner a lot of Hobey Baker support. He's more Luc Robitaille than Paul Kariya IMO.

[TheScorpion]

The ECAC isn't as strong a conference, but it is also very much an older player's league. You see a lot of 21 to 24-year-olds in it. As far as I can tell, Adam Fox is basically the only 18-year-old to be named to the ECAC's First All-Star Team in the past few decades.

[YyjFlames]

Originally Posted by Lanny_McDonald

Recency bias says the Vegas pick will be over-rated and ranked higher. You see it every single draft and the post draft rankings.

Anyone who watches Wyttenbach and Potter will acknowledge Potter is the more dynamic and better player. I could understand why he may not garner a lot of Hobey Baker support. He's more Luc Robitaille than Paul Kariya IMO.

That wasn't the case last year and typically isn't. Potter was ranked after Brzustewicz (a 3rd round pick) as well as Gridin (28th overall pick).

Reschny ranked highly as there were a number of folks on this board pointing to his playoffs, stellar back half of his season and the fact that he drove Victoria's offence last year. He felt to many of us like a steal at 18 and was the highest draft pick on Calgary's prospect list outside of Honzek and Parekh.

The Vegas pick is likely to be later and will fall outside of the top 5 unless a big name drops down the draft board or Vegas misses the playoffs.

I suspect, if they don't trade for another big prospect or higher 1st round pick, it'll go something like this:

Calgary 2026 1st
Parekh (if prospect)
Big debate over Gridin/Reschny/Wyttenbach, especially if Wyttenbach wins the Hobey
Potter (although he'll get some love in the above discussion)
Vegas 2026 1st
Fairly open (although I have it as Honzek, Mews, Stock...)

[Party Elephant]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

I can't find it for 2012. Perhaps we started doing them in the summer of 2013.

This is correct!

[jg13]

https://twitter.com/user/status/2020975567995273592

[Bubba17]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

I've only watched his highlights so not going to claim to be an expert at all. But typically guys like him aren't drafted higher for good reasons, including size.

It would be interesting to see where Johnny ranked on our prospect votes in his D+1, +2 and +3 seasons. But i can't seem to find them. Or at least I'm not searching the right way to go back that far.

Stankoven and Gabriel Borque are both smaller than him and everyone talks like they would be key people in trades. Maybe people are underrating Wyttenbach because he was drafted by the Flames instead of Dallas.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by Bubba17

Stankoven and Gabriel Borque are both smaller than him and everyone talks like they would be key people in trades. Maybe people are underrating Wyttenbach because he was drafted by the Flames instead of Dallas.

I don't think that's the bulk of it: people were underrating Wyttenbach before anybody drafted him, which is why he didn't get picked until the fifth round.

I think a fair number of people look at this kid, see nothing special about his size, his shot, or his skating, and conclude that he has no right to be as good as he is. You hear people talk about prospects who are ‘all tools and no toolbox’. Wyttenbach is kind of the opposite; and as we've seen many times before, a guy with a really good toolbox can make it in the NHL even if the individual tools in that box are only serviceable. He just needs the smarts and the persistence to make the best of them.

[Tacoman]

Just a heads up that on that list is Tyson Gross, an undrafted 6’3” centre who is having a great year. Great on faceoffs…and his Dad is actually an employee of the Calgary Flames!

[D as in David]

Originally Posted by Tacoman

Just a heads up that on that list is Tyson Gross, an undrafted 6’3” centre who is having a great year. Great on faceoffs…and his Dad is actually an employee of the Calgary Flames!

Yeah (nepo) baby!

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Jay Random

I don't think that's the bulk of it: people were underrating Wyttenbach before anybody drafted him, which is why he didn't get picked until the fifth round.

I think a fair number of people look at this kid, see nothing special about his size, his shot, or his skating, and conclude that he has no right to be as good as he is. You hear people talk about prospects who are ‘all tools and no toolbox’. Wyttenbach is kind of the opposite; and as we've seen many times before, a guy with a really good toolbox can make it in the NHL even if the individual tools in that box are only serviceable. He just needs the smarts and the persistence to make the best of them.

I think a good comparable is Tyler Toffoli - none of the tools are particularly impressive, but he gets it done. In a results business, results matter!

[TheScorpion]

My #1 comp for Wyttenbach remains Jaden Schwartz

[Vox]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

My #1 comp for Wyttenbach remains Jaden Schwartz

I found that comparison eerily similar as well. Both 5'10", 185 lbs, played USHL then moved to NCAA and put up 47 pts in 30 games as 18 year olds. Tied for 5th in ppg for 18 yr olds all time. Remarkably similar, 15 yrs apart. Schwartz drafted 14OA, and Wyttenbach 144OA however.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by Jay Random

I think a fair number of people look at this kid, see nothing special about his size, his shot, or his skating, and conclude that he has no right to be as good as he is.

Scouts see nothing special about a kids' size, shot, or skating, and conclude (typically correctly) that their production won't translate against NHLers.

Projectability is a thing. There's a long list of kids who play lights out and put up eye-popping numbers of juniors or college, but didn't have an impact on the NHL. Scouting and drafting would be pretty straightforward if it was just a matter of identifying the kids who are the most dominant as 17 and 18 year olds.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

Scouts see nothing special about a kids' size, shot, or skating, and conclude (typically correctly) that their production won't translate against NHLers.

Projectability is a thing. There's a long list of kids who play lights out and put up eye-popping numbers of juniors or college, but didn't have an impact on the NHL. Scouting and drafting would be pretty straightforward if it was just a matter of identifying the kids who are the most dominant as 17 and 18 year olds.

Correction: they SAW nothing special, and CONCLUDED that production wouldn't translate.

That was last year. Things change. Progression is key, and his progression is highly indicative of success.