[News] With the 109th OA pick, the Flames select C Adam Ruzicka

[Enoch Root]

It would be terrific if he could become one of the 4 Cs next year, when Ryan is (likely) gone.

For now, let him keep dominating the A. And when possible, give him a few games in the show to see what he looks like, and to motivate him further.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Tell the kid to find a place in town.

[Strange Brew]

Enoch's post from March 6, 2021 looks pretty damn good right now.

[Heavy Jack]

Pretty much nailed it spot on. He’s started to figure out the speed of the game at this level and is seeing plays now like on the Mangi goal and on his goal finding the open ice in front and using his size to box out the encroaching D and potential poke check before no doubting it upstairs. I think Darryl sees a lot in him and isn’t afraid to give that line tough assignments, like I said in the PGT I honestly see his line as the 3rd line ATM.

[midniteowl]

Originally Posted by Heavy Jack

Pretty much nailed it spot on. He’s started to figure out the speed of the game at this level and is seeing plays now like on the Mangi goal and on his goal finding the open ice in front and using his size to box out the encroaching D and potential poke check before no doubting it upstairs. I think Darryl sees a lot in him and isn’t afraid to give that line tough assignments, like I said in the PGT I honestly see his line as the 3rd line ATM.

And he's good at faceoff too, wining 7 out of 11 tonight, that's 64%.

[looooob]

Ruzicka, drafted in the 4th round now has 3 goals. the last forward to be drafted that late by the Oilers to score more than 3 goals (actually any goals) was Toby Rieder drafted in 2011 but famously he never scored for the Oilers, in 2 stints. the last forward drafted by the Oilers in the 4th round or later to score a goal for the Oilers was Hartikainen- he's 32 years old now I think

[Heavy Jack]

That’s some delicious E=NG right there looooob out of thanks but ty!!!

[blankall]

This is huge for this team. And they have Pelletier knocking on the door. So great to see so many flames draft picks in the roster.

[BigRed]

Smart player, knows where to go, good hands, and uses his size well. Not the world's greatest skater but seems to have the hockey sense to make up for it. He does a lot of little things and has the skill to make things happen. I'd actually like to see Dube with him and Lucic -- would help get Dube going and would also add some speed.

[TheSquatch]

His goal there, stick on the ice cruising (not standing still) and Ras finds him and boom, top shelf from 4 feet out... that's not a rookie-ish goal. He is seeing the game at speed. Having a guy who doesn't just shove it into the pads there is going to be huge for the Flames. Likewise the Mangiapane goal, good vision and makes the exact right play.

Is he making a few mistakes? Yes. Is he making the team better? Yes. Looks like a really good fit here.

[FormerPresJamesTaylor]

Who knew Ruzicka would establish himself before Valimaki; ####s wild bro

[Sylvanfan]

I am a a bit taller than 6'-1". If I had a neck like Ruzicka...I think I would be 6'-6". His neck is like a tree trunk.

[Shazam]

Originally Posted by Funkhouser

Still early, but seeing as we have no 1st rounder next year, I suspect the following players will be top 10 next summer (assuming Janko graduates):

Valimaki
Fox
Anderson
Kylington
Mangiapane
Dube
Phillips
Parsons
Gilles
Ruzicka

Look at this post.

[bigrangy]

Digging a little more into the numbers, Ruzicka’s performance this year is basically identical to Anton Lundell’s in Florida. Both a scoring at 5v5 like top 10 centres.

I cannot imagine either of them keep it up since their fancies are not great (not bad, but not great), but it’s encouraging to see what Ruzicka has done. If you can get a 15 game heater like this out of a bottom sixer every now and then that does so much to diversify the attack. And who knows, usually it takes rookies a little while to settle in, maybe he keeps something like this up. If so then I think the Flames found their rental 2C. (Though I really don’t think it’s likely)

He’s got an NHL spot locked down for a while now though. Get some of his Heat teammates up here and see what they can do now.

[Coach]

This is what AHL seasoning does. Allows players to execute plays at a high level (like that in tight high shot for his goal), so when they get to the NHL it's just an automatic thing they can do, vs struggling to execute against NHL players when they don't have the strength or speed of skill.

So wish Bennett had got a year in the AHL. Think it would have been huge for him.

[Makarov]

Originally Posted by Shazam

Look at this post.

Pretty incredible to have 5 of your top 10 prospects become impact NHLers. And Valimaki and Ruzicka still have a chance to do the same.

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by Heavy Jack

Pretty much nailed it spot on. He’s started to figure out the speed of the game at this level and is seeing plays now like on the Mangi goal and on his goal finding the open ice in front and using his size to box out the encroaching D and potential poke check before no doubting it upstairs. I think Darryl sees a lot in him and isn’t afraid to give that line tough assignments, like I said in the PGT I honestly see his line as the 3rd line ATM.

I might have heard wrong but didn’t Cassie say that Sutter told her he was the 3rd line center? Considering Lucic is better than dube and Lewis is better than Ritchie , I think you are correct that they are the third line right now

[Zulu29]

He’s been a pleasant surprise for sure! Kid can play and sutter seems to like him.

[Macho0978]

Even though I do believe rebuilds or retools are necessary guys like Ruzicka mangiapane and kylington are showing you can go from a middle pack team to elite. Some seem to think it’s not possible to do.

Ruzicka has been a big boost to this team mid season where kylington has been all season. Mangiapane continues to grow too.

If we can’t get a toffolli type player I say we need to give Pelletier or phillips a turn. But I do think being patient and waiting a few weeks makes sense. Team is rolling right now no way we mess with it right now

[D as in David]

What was his NHLe from his time in the AHL?