Hockey Writers top 10 flames prospects

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by Canada 02

Tarasenko can't play in the top 6 right now, and he doesn't play a grinding or energy roll. Pretty simple

The point though remains valid - the inability of a prospect to crack a lineup, particularly in a shortened season shouldn't mean they are not good prospects.

Flames fans have long lamented the "ones that got away" where guys didn't get an opportunity here and went elsewhere and excelled.

Why can't the reverse happen?

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

For me, prospects should be based off both potential, and how close they are to reaching it.

my top ten are

1. Sven Baertschi
2. Mark Jankowski
3. John Gaudreau
4. Mark Cundari
5. Jonathan Gillies
6. Tyler Wotherspoon
7. Markus Granlund
8. Roman Horak
9. Kenny Agostino
10. Ben Hanowski
11/12 Brett Kulak and Ryan Culkin

While certain guys like Reinhart and Bouma might be NHL ready or very close, when they get there they will not be anything more than low end 3rd liners or regular 4th liners. Necessary players, but not anything to get excited about.

Sorry, but you don't put Bouma and Reinhart in the top 10 when they're knocking at the door, and have a ceiling of 3/4th lines but you have Hanowski at 10?

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by nik-

Sorry, but you don't put Bouma and Reinhart in the top 10 when they're knocking at the door, and have a ceiling of 3/4th lines but you have Hanowski at 10?

Hanowski has offensive potential, which is why I have him higher than those two. He at least knows how to get into the right areas. Reinhart and Bouma might score 5-10 goals a season, Hanowski has potential to get more than that.

[HighLifeMan]

I don't necessarily agree with that order myself but to each their own.

Here is my list.

1. Sven Baertschi
2. Johnny Gaudreau
3. Mark Jankowski
4. Jon Gillies
5a. Roman Horak (if you consider him a prospect..)
5b. Max Reinhart
6. Tyler Wotherspoon
7a. Patrick Sieloff
7b. Mark Cundari
8. Kenny Agostino
9. Bill Arnold
10. Laurent Brossoit


Lance Bouma would have been a full time NHL player had it not been for his injury. He no longer qualifies in my opinion.

Markus Granlund just misses the cut due to the fact that it is so difficult to track his development with the limited exposure he gets from playing in Finland.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by looooob

wasn't Cundari an AHL allstar (to be clear I'm not saying that predicts high potential, just that it implies he must have been more than a depth player on his AHL team?)

Yes

The American Hockey League announced today that defenseman Mark Cundari has been named to the Western Conference All-Star roster for the 2013 Dunkin’ Donuts AHL All-Star Classic, to take place Jan. 27-28 in Providence, R.I.
Cundari, 22, leads all Rivermen defenseman in points (16) and assists (14) and is second among plus/minus (+2). In 32 games, the Woodbridge, ON native has already surpassed his point total from last season (15 in 48 games).

[Vulcan]

Top ten to make the team next season
1. Baertschi
2. Cundari
3. Horak
4. Reinhart
5. Hanowski
6. Breen
7. Berra

8. Ortio
9.Wotherspoon
10. 2013 draft pick

Street?

[Freeway]

Originally Posted by Gary83

And Tarasenko can't beat out Adam Cracknell for a roster spot on the Blues. What a bust.

Cracknell's a really interesting player. Great work ethic.

[Freeway]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

The point though remains valid - the inability of a prospect to crack a lineup, particularly in a shortened season shouldn't mean they are not good prospects.

Flames fans have long lamented the "ones that got away" where guys didn't get an opportunity here and went elsewhere and excelled.

Why can't the reverse happen?

Cundari's got potential, but I'm not sure that a 5'9" defenseman has a long shelf life (or necessarily a high ceiling given his playing style). Giordano plays a similar style, but is (a) significantly bigger physically and (b) freakish in terms of how quick he heals.

That said, Ramo and Cundari do have that potential.

[Psytic]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

Despite the big talk by management I don't rate Sieloff highly either. It just seems that a defenceman known mostly for his physical game isn't going to be able to translate it well at the pros when he's only 6' and 197lbs.

Should of took Martin Frk instead. I am still wondering how Feasters depth drafting turns out. Im not patting him on the back for Bart thats only one guy so far and the rest of the young guys that look like they have made it so far are Sutter picks.

[Hells Bells]

Originally Posted by Psytic

Should of took Martin Frk instead. I am still wondering how Feasters depth drafting turns out. Im not patting him on the back for Bart thats only one guy so far and the rest of the young guys that look like they have made it so far are Sutter picks.

One thing that is very clear to me already, Feaster has been MUCH better at drafting than Sutter. The prospect cupboard was pathetic under Sutter and is now becoming respectable.

The only reason many of Feaster`s picks haven;t made it yet is due to age. These kids are infinitely better than Howse, Chucko, Pelech, Ramholt, Nemisz etc...

[Vulcan]

I think the jury is still out on Feaster's picks. The latest picks always look good as the shine is still on them. We won't see any glitches until they turn pro. That being said I am positive about most of Feaster's picks, it's just too early to rate them.

[StrykerSteve]

Baertschi
Horak
Reinhart
Breen

All 4 of these guys have a legit shot at being Flames on opening night of next season.

Wotherspoon is my sleeper pick, I think he may surprise and make the team out of camp as well.

I'm excited for the year's draft, it's going to stock the cupboards with 1st rounders and instantly make the Flames' prospect pool look infinitely better. Draft big bodied C, D and RW in the first round, and you're on the right track.

[Alberta_Beef]

I would rate the prospects.

1. Sven
2. Johnny Hockey
3. Janko
4. Reinhart
5. Gillies
6. Agostino
7. Breen
8. Tspoon
9. Brossoit
10. Sieloff

I don't really consider Horak a prospect anymore

[cral12]

Good read, as always, from Ryan.

I'd also have Jankowski top 3, basing my own list on longterm potential rather than NHL readiness.

Hopefully, we can all agree on 3 new additions to the Top 10 on or after June 30th!

[kehatch]

Originally Posted by Freeway

Cundari's got potential, but I'm not sure that a 5'9" defenseman has a long shelf life (or necessarily a high ceiling given his playing style). Giordano plays a similar style, but is (a) significantly bigger physically and (b) freakish in terms of how quick he heals.

That said, Ramo and Cundari do have that potential.

The guy doesn't look small to me. He is short. But he is bulky as heck.

[Super-Rye]

Originally Posted by Freeway

Cundari's got potential, but I'm not sure that a 5'9" defenseman has a long shelf life (or necessarily a high ceiling given his playing style). Giordano plays a similar style, but is (a) significantly bigger physically and (b) freakish in terms of how quick he heals.

That said, Ramo and Cundari do have that potential.

Cundari reminds me of Andrew Ference with a better shot. Small but physical, built like a bull. If Cundari could be anything like Ference then I would be happy.

Very good write up. Enjoyed the read. Liked the rankings as well. I think it speaks volumes about our growing prospect depth that a kid like Jankowski being in the top 10 is completely debatable.

[Freeway]

What makes me optimistic about the Flames is that they've drafted and acquired a lot of different KINDS of hockey players. They have different kinds of goalies, defenders, forwards. A lot of interesting things happening.

[FlameZilla]

On potential:

Gaudreau
Baertschi
Gillies
Jankowski
Reinhart
Agostino
Brossoit
Arnold
Wotherspoon
Cundari

On likelihood of NHL success:

Baertschi
Reinhart
Cundari
Gillies
Agostino
Gaudreau
Kulak
Arnold
Wotherspoon
Hanowski

Honourable mentions: Sieloff, Bouma, DeBlouw, Culkin

Notes:

-I consider Horak & Brodie NHL starters now, so they aren't included

-Baertschi demonstrated top-6 NHL abilities in his last 7 games. I'm very relieved, to say the least. I expect him to arrive in camp physically stronger & motivated to make this team his own.

-Gaudreau & Jankowski are the wildcards. Janko showed flashes of high end skill for Providence. Only flashes though. Hopefully he can fully convert to centre next season & improve his stats & physical strength. Jonny will either be a dominant force in the NHL or won't make it at all. Patience...

-Gillies had as good a freshman year as an NCAA goalie can have. Brossoit is closer to the pros but I'm concerned that he's been sheltered by a strong Oil Kings defence. I worry about his mentality as well, and you can't teach that.

-I think Hanowski could be a useful bottom-6 guy. He should hone his skills in the AHL.

-Haven't seen enough of Sieloff to include him.

-Agostino, Arnold, Wotherspoon & Cundari demonstrate intangibles & work ethic that lead me to believe they are likely to make it to the NHL. In what capacity? Useful, middle-6 forwards & mid-pairing defence. I expect all 4 of them to make an impact within 2 years.

[Erick Estrada]

Hockey Writers or basement bloggers? Terrible list IMO as some of the Flames better prospects aren't even mentioned.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Hockey Writers or basement bloggers? Terrible list IMO as some of the Flames better prospects aren't even mentioned.

I would have ignored your post and moved on.. but this seems like a bit of a cheap shot on your part... "Basement Bloggers"?

Well, sorry EE, I myself may not agree with that list, but since you have openly admitted to not following the prospects or watching the Heat, I would say you are about the very last person on this forum that should be making posts like these when someone comes up with prospect ranking. If you disagree with this list to the point where you are making a personal attack, how about you make your own list and let the rest of the community give their thoughts on it. Oh right.. once again.. you don't follow the prospects... At least Freeway follows the prospects regularly.