2024 Flames Development Camp

[Dan403]

They’re practicing Tip-Ins right now.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

I think the CHL has way less power than it once did and I think it will get challenged.

USHL/NCAA and Europe are just as prolific at developing the top tier talent now...if I was a top prospect I'd probably consider the NCAA route for the sole reason that I can get to the AHL faster.

Of the 32 1st rd picks just this last draft,

14 of them were CHL

Thats almost half.

The rest had a handful each....USHL was 3 IIRC, same with NCAA, then euros with the rest who came from 5 different leagues.

Great players can come from all parts of the world and take different paths, no question.

But the big majority come from major junior leagues based out of Canada.

Just the reality.

[HighLifeMan]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

It really is a rule they need to adjust...if you are a first round pick you should be able to enter the AHL for your Draft+2 regardless of age..

I agree.. especially when "exceptions" are now being made with the likes of Shane Wright for example. Why can he play in the AHL as a 19 year old out of the CHL but someone like Parekh won't be allowed to? Because Wright was better at hockey at the age of 15?

They have so many arbitrary cutoffs.

[FlamesAddiction]

Maybe going off topic a bit, but since the CHL/NHL agreement was brought up, I was wondering. Do CHL teams get financially compensated for developing players when they are drafted, and do NHL teams have a liaison or something like that who advocates for the players to focus on specific development factors? Like theoretically, could the Flames ask that they put Parekh in situations when he will focus on his defensive game?

Or is the agreement all about letting the CHL team keep talent on their roster just for the sake of not hurting their ticket sales revenue? If it is all about money, there is probably a solution that the CHL would accept where financial compensation would allow them to release the player for the AHL.

Even then though, putting teenagers in a men’s league probably isn’t a great idea most of the time just for safety reasons. Lots of players in the AHL are trying hard to get noticed and wouldn’t miss an opportunity to destroy an 18 year old hot shot.

[Royle9]

Way more intensity today, last drill had Morin dusting it up with a few guys then takes a late hit after the drills done.

Fun stuff!

[Caged Great]

Not much change from day 1 thus far. Other than the intensity of the drills. Lots of skill and excellent footwork from the players.

[1qqaaz]

Originally Posted by transplant99

Of the 32 1st rd picks just this last draft,

14 of them were CHL

Thats almost half.

The rest had a handful each....USHL was 3 IIRC, same with NCAA, then euros with the rest who came from 5 different leagues.

Great players can come from all parts of the world and take different paths, no question.

But the big majority come from major junior leagues based out of Canada.

Just the reality.

Pretty much entirely from the OHL and WHL.

I wonder why the QMJHL has completely fallen off. Quebec and the Maritimes hardly produce any NHL players any more.

[Royle9]

As Caged said, similar to yesterday in terms of drills.
Group 1 recap:

Coronato stood out for me today, you can see the experience and swagger if you will.
During the tip in drill I think he went 5/6 including 2nd efforts. Seemed to always make contact. Skating and edge work looked strong.

Parekh continues to look like the best we’ve had in decades. Really saw his footwork and lateral movement on the blue line today, it’s just so clean. In the 2 on 2 drills his deceptiveness was very evident, seemingly always had a move in his back pocket. Looked good with Honzek.

Honzek continues to improve, still very raw and the injuries clearly didn’t help his progression. However he still looks stronger out there than most. Couple nice between the leg shots during drills, I hope he has a good year this year.

Morton seems really good, you can see he’s got pro experience, very quick and strong on pucks. For some reason I feel he could be the next guy to get a look with the big club, his game just seems made for that 4th line energy role.

Not sure what happened to Parker Bell but he looked so much better last year, he was quick and strong on pucks, very noticeable in all drills. So far this year and maybe because there’s more competition but he doesn’t look as confident. It’s early but I was hoping to see more.

Flames brass had good things to say about Grushnikov, he could challenge for a spot this year out of the gates. Just strong defensively.

[Caged Great]

Stromgren wiped out and slid heavy into the boards. Got up and is fine.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

You don't think Parekh can still learn the defensive side of the game against the top offensive players in the world?

You said he didn't need to.

[Caged Great]

Tung has looked good in net both days. Best of the walk on goalies.

[Caged Great]

As much as parekh’s offensive game is high level, his defense does need work. Definitely should be in juniors for the two seasons and then see. No need to rush.

He is also a bit thin and lanky, which is fine but him filling out a bit will help him when he gets to the nhl.

[Caged Great]

Misa’s skill set is more that of a 2nd/3rd rounder. Does look small out there compared to the other guys. He will need to increase his determination and aggressiveness to take those next steps much like how Mangiapane had to learn how to work in the dirty areas to initially become the 30 goal guy for the one season.

[Caged Great]

I was a bit concerned about Coronato yesterday because he should have been one of if not the best player there due to his age and nhl experience, but he was 6th or 7th. Today he was a lot better and closer to where he should have been.

[Caged Great]

Grushnikov has the feel of what it would be like if they invited a 30 year old vet who’s been in the nhl for 10 years to one of these camps. Easily the most composed player I’ve seen at one of these camps. Just so calm and efficient.

[Caged Great]

It really feels like the Flames got two drafts worth of high end talent at the draft. So many skilled players. Really feel like Battaglia is going to be a player in the nhl.

[Caged Great]

It feels like if they have another draft or two like the last one the rebuild will be very fast. Feels like the flames could get 4/5 nhlers out of the group which would be insane.

[genetic_phreek]

Anyone have opinions on Suniev? Curious to see how he looks.

[shutout]

Originally Posted by Scornfire

What a weird take when he can't play in the AHL for 2 entire friggen seasons lol. Does he develop more absolutely dummying kids in the OHL? Doubtful tbh

Talking about a defenseman that only in the second half of last season started to take the defensive aspect of the game seriously. He could use a full season in the OHL to learn and put into consistent practice how to be a defenseman that can be put out in every situation of the game and not have concerns about what the score is late in the game.

Plus the biggest point of the article is that players like this that have 2-3 more years of development time are able to physically mature into men that can withstand the rigors of the NHL game and schedule. When you watch his clips he won't be able to deke and dodge players at the NHL level and when he gets leveled at his age and body shape he could get injured.

Put the players in the best case to develop and grow and work on their game before putting them in the NHL to learn how to do it. Flames rushed Bennett and it was a disaster. Not sure why fans would want to do it again with Parekh.

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by genetic_phreek

Anyone have opinions on Suniev? Curious to see how he looks.

Foot speed is the main issue with him. Good hands good shot. Just slower than most here. If he can get faster in terms of turning and start stops he’ll be fine. When he gets to full speed he’s fine. Similar issues that Lucic had with acceleration etc.