MatthewFlames
Registered User
Graduates from last years list: Jimmy Vesey and Marcus Nutivaara.
In addition to recent draftees, the Flames added Jacob Larsson, Filip Hronek, and Callum Booth via trade.
Last years ranking in brackets.
1 (1) Mathew Barzal - C - Seattle (WHL) - Drafted 8th Overall, 2015
Barzal made the Islanders out of camp but looked overwhelmed in his two appearances. He wasn’t given a chance to settle but instead returned to the WHL for a fourth season. He dominated upon arrival, captaining the Seattle Thunderbirds to a WHL title, winning playoff MVP along the way. Big changes are afoot on the Island but, hopefully, they remain patient with Barzal, who finished with 343 points in his 251 WHL appearances.
2 (1) Valeri Nichushkin - RW - CSKA Moskva (RUS) - Drafted 5th Overall, 2013
A returnee to the top 20 list and his status as a prospect. He had a good season in Russia despite a slow start, showing a growing maturity to his game. Rumors abound that the Stars have re-initiated contract discussions. Nichushkin bolted to Russia because of his dislike for the coaching staff in Dallas. Now that Hitchcock is the coach, there seems to be no reason why he won’t return to the NHL.
3 (2) Oliver Bjorkstrand - RW - Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL) - Drafted 55th Overall, 2013
Bjorkstrand was expected to step into the lineup after his Calder Cup MVP performance in the 2016 playoffs but he started really tentatively and shortly ended up back in the minors. He took several months to warm up but eventually he was firing on all cylinders and was rewarded with finishing the season in Columbus. He should be ready to step up into a full-time job this season in the Jackets top 6.
4 (4) Anthony-John Greer - LW - San Antonio Rampage (AHL) - Drafted 79th Overall, 2015
AJ Greer blossomed after leaving the NCAA’s for the Q, but even so, his season surprised. Physically mature, he had no problems adapting to the pro league, jumping to the top of the AHL scoring charts and getting his first NHL call-up before his 20th birthday. He cooled off as the season progressed but showed great promise. Potential full-time NHL’er as soon as next season.
5 (NEW) Jacob Larsson - D - San Diego Gulls (AHL) - Acquired in trade for Jake Gardiner
Surprised many by making the Anaheim Ducks out of camp before being sent back to Sweden to continue his development. Two-way player, although there isn’t much point producing upside, a player who is still physically maturing. Has a good shot at starting the season in the NHL again due to injuries and the loss of Theodore.
6 (8) William Carrier - LW - Buffalo Sabres (NHL) - Drafted 42nd Overall, 2013
I continue to be very high on Carrier. He spent half a season playing in the top 6 in Buffalo, and while he was a bit snake-bitten, he played very well and received a lot of praise. Taken by Vegas in the expansion draft, he will get every opportunity to claim major ice time in their first season.
7 (NEW) Ryan Poehling - C - St. Cloud State (NCAA) - Drafted 20th Overall, 2017
A blue chip NHL prospect with size and skating, he’s a leader on the ice and played in the NCAA’s as the youngest freshman in the league. Obviously, the big question is about his future point producing skills. Against his peers, he has shown far more than he did in the NCAA, so the next couple of years will be interesting. Good fit in Toro…er, Montreal.
8 (NEW) Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen - G - HPK (FIN) - Drafted 51st Overall, 2017
Athletic, technically strong, and mentally tough - and he has NHL size - he seems as good a prospect as any in the goalie position. A long-term prospect, he should lead Finland in the World Juniors again this season.
10 (10) Laurent Brossoit - G - Edmonton Oilers (NHL) - Drafted 158th Overall, 2011
It feels like Broissoit’s time has come. He finished the season in the NHL and backed up Talbot in the playoffs. Needs to have a good camp to solidify the position.
11 (NEW) Filip Hronek - D - Saginaw Spirit (OHL) - Acquired in trade for Jake Gardiner
When trading Gardiner the Flames wanted a Gardiner-like replacement, a player who can rush the puck and has elite offensive skills. Hronek has all of that, he scored 61 points in 59 games for Saginaw. The Czech player needs development time in his own end but already showed well in 12 games in the AHL at the end of the season. He’s not expected to return the CHL next season.
12 (5) Justin Kirkland - RW - Milwaukee Admirals (AHL) - Drafted 39th Overall, 2014
First-year rookie pro Kirkland found ice time limited at the AHL level and it wasn’t long before he was sent to the ECHL. He returned to the AHL and slowly found some form and confidence, which led to increased ice time and production.
13 (11) Oscar Dansk - G - Rogle (SHL) - Acquired in trade for Nicholas Backstrom
Dansk had another season where he received positive reviews despite uninspiring stats on a weak Rogle team. Columbus has a prospect logjam in the goalie position, but created space for Dansk to claim by trading Forsberg. It will be an interesting camp, we’ll find out if Dansk has improved his mental make-up and is ready to stake a claim in the Columbus system.
14 (NEW) Daniil Tarasov - G - Tolpar Ufa (RUS) - Drafted 150th Overall
Columbus may have created space for Dansk, but they didn’t hesitate to grab another potential elite goaltender in this draft, with Russian Tarasov. Tarasov is healthy and ready to return to play. NHL size and athleticism, it’s hard to determine exactly how good he is since he missed his draft year, but we’re extremely optimistic.
15 (6) Taylor Leier - W - Lehigh Valley Phantoms (AHL) - Drafted 173rd Overall, 2012
Leier is getting every opportunity in Philadelphia, he’s an energy 3rd or 4th line player with good hands, but he’s not taken it yet. Played 10 games this season for the Flyers.
16 (7) Dominik Simon - LW - Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins (AHL) - Drafted 65th Overall, 2016
Simon struggled this season - but injuries in Pittsburgh opened the door for more ice time in the minors and he took it, finding his scoring late in the season. He was a late season call-up and part of the Black Aces on the Cup winning squad. Still struggles because of his size, needs to improve his skating and two-way play, but his creativity will still lead to opportunities.
17 (15) Cameron Hughes - C - University of Wisconsin (NCAA) - Drafted 159th, 2015
Cam Hughes has really blossomed in Wisconsin, playing with elite prospects Kulin and Frederick, and he didn't look out of place. He has good hands but needs to continue to improve his skating. One more season before he goes pro.
18 (NEW) Callum Booth - G - Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL) - Acquired in trade for Zack Kassian
Booth has NHL size and athleticism and he had a great season, leading the Sea Dogs to the QMJHL with sparkling stats in the playoffs, including 6 shutouts. He had a GAA of 1.67 on a .923% SV percentage. Struggled behind a surprisingly weak team performance in the Memorial Cup. Heading to Charlotte for his first pro season.
19 (NEW) Nicholas Caamano - W - Flint Firebirds (OHL) - Drafted 127th Overall, 2016
Youngster Caamano, a September birthday who’s just 12 days older than Nolan Patrick, showed the hidden offense we hoped was there when he was drafted. Scored 35 goals and 64 points in 67 OHL games. Signed his ELC with the Dallas Stars and scored 3 points in his AHL debut (6 games.) Will return to the OHL for another season.
20 (NEW) Brandon Hagel - W - Red Deer Rebels (WHL) - Drafted 90th Overall, 2016
Hagel, like Caamano, continued to mature and also exploded offensively in the WHL. He scored 31 goals and 71 points in 65 games in his draft plus one season and added 7 goals in 7 playoff games to his totals. An August birthday, so he was one of the younger draft eligible players last season. Will continue in the WHL for one more season.
HM
Connor Bunnaman - F -Kitchener Rangers (OHL) - Drafted 83rd Overall, 2016
Scored 41 goals in the 2016/17 OHL season and playoffs - and got rewarded with an ELC from the Flyers.
Vojtech Budik - D - Prince Albert Raiders (WHL) - Drafted 84th Overall, 2016
Budik continued his improvement and development.
Gemel Smith - F - Texas Stars (AHL) - Acquired in trade for Mark Borowiecki
Surprised many by making the NHL and making an impression. Should be a full-time NHL’er this season.
Stanislav Galiev - W - Washington Capitals (NHL) - Acquired in trade for Milan Hejduk
The restricted free agent may be looking for a new home as there is no space in the NHL for him. Returned full-time to the AHL and dominated offensively there.
Vaclav Karabacek - W - Baie-Comeau Drakkar (QMJHL) - Acquired in trade for Nick Holden
Struggled in his first pro season. Has all the tools but will require a lot of development still.
In addition to recent draftees, the Flames added Jacob Larsson, Filip Hronek, and Callum Booth via trade.
Last years ranking in brackets.
1 (1) Mathew Barzal - C - Seattle (WHL) - Drafted 8th Overall, 2015
Barzal made the Islanders out of camp but looked overwhelmed in his two appearances. He wasn’t given a chance to settle but instead returned to the WHL for a fourth season. He dominated upon arrival, captaining the Seattle Thunderbirds to a WHL title, winning playoff MVP along the way. Big changes are afoot on the Island but, hopefully, they remain patient with Barzal, who finished with 343 points in his 251 WHL appearances.
2 (1) Valeri Nichushkin - RW - CSKA Moskva (RUS) - Drafted 5th Overall, 2013
A returnee to the top 20 list and his status as a prospect. He had a good season in Russia despite a slow start, showing a growing maturity to his game. Rumors abound that the Stars have re-initiated contract discussions. Nichushkin bolted to Russia because of his dislike for the coaching staff in Dallas. Now that Hitchcock is the coach, there seems to be no reason why he won’t return to the NHL.
3 (2) Oliver Bjorkstrand - RW - Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL) - Drafted 55th Overall, 2013
Bjorkstrand was expected to step into the lineup after his Calder Cup MVP performance in the 2016 playoffs but he started really tentatively and shortly ended up back in the minors. He took several months to warm up but eventually he was firing on all cylinders and was rewarded with finishing the season in Columbus. He should be ready to step up into a full-time job this season in the Jackets top 6.
4 (4) Anthony-John Greer - LW - San Antonio Rampage (AHL) - Drafted 79th Overall, 2015
AJ Greer blossomed after leaving the NCAA’s for the Q, but even so, his season surprised. Physically mature, he had no problems adapting to the pro league, jumping to the top of the AHL scoring charts and getting his first NHL call-up before his 20th birthday. He cooled off as the season progressed but showed great promise. Potential full-time NHL’er as soon as next season.
5 (NEW) Jacob Larsson - D - San Diego Gulls (AHL) - Acquired in trade for Jake Gardiner
Surprised many by making the Anaheim Ducks out of camp before being sent back to Sweden to continue his development. Two-way player, although there isn’t much point producing upside, a player who is still physically maturing. Has a good shot at starting the season in the NHL again due to injuries and the loss of Theodore.
6 (8) William Carrier - LW - Buffalo Sabres (NHL) - Drafted 42nd Overall, 2013
I continue to be very high on Carrier. He spent half a season playing in the top 6 in Buffalo, and while he was a bit snake-bitten, he played very well and received a lot of praise. Taken by Vegas in the expansion draft, he will get every opportunity to claim major ice time in their first season.
7 (NEW) Ryan Poehling - C - St. Cloud State (NCAA) - Drafted 20th Overall, 2017
A blue chip NHL prospect with size and skating, he’s a leader on the ice and played in the NCAA’s as the youngest freshman in the league. Obviously, the big question is about his future point producing skills. Against his peers, he has shown far more than he did in the NCAA, so the next couple of years will be interesting. Good fit in Toro…er, Montreal.
8 (NEW) Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen - G - HPK (FIN) - Drafted 51st Overall, 2017
Athletic, technically strong, and mentally tough - and he has NHL size - he seems as good a prospect as any in the goalie position. A long-term prospect, he should lead Finland in the World Juniors again this season.
10 (10) Laurent Brossoit - G - Edmonton Oilers (NHL) - Drafted 158th Overall, 2011
It feels like Broissoit’s time has come. He finished the season in the NHL and backed up Talbot in the playoffs. Needs to have a good camp to solidify the position.
11 (NEW) Filip Hronek - D - Saginaw Spirit (OHL) - Acquired in trade for Jake Gardiner
When trading Gardiner the Flames wanted a Gardiner-like replacement, a player who can rush the puck and has elite offensive skills. Hronek has all of that, he scored 61 points in 59 games for Saginaw. The Czech player needs development time in his own end but already showed well in 12 games in the AHL at the end of the season. He’s not expected to return the CHL next season.
12 (5) Justin Kirkland - RW - Milwaukee Admirals (AHL) - Drafted 39th Overall, 2014
First-year rookie pro Kirkland found ice time limited at the AHL level and it wasn’t long before he was sent to the ECHL. He returned to the AHL and slowly found some form and confidence, which led to increased ice time and production.
13 (11) Oscar Dansk - G - Rogle (SHL) - Acquired in trade for Nicholas Backstrom
Dansk had another season where he received positive reviews despite uninspiring stats on a weak Rogle team. Columbus has a prospect logjam in the goalie position, but created space for Dansk to claim by trading Forsberg. It will be an interesting camp, we’ll find out if Dansk has improved his mental make-up and is ready to stake a claim in the Columbus system.
14 (NEW) Daniil Tarasov - G - Tolpar Ufa (RUS) - Drafted 150th Overall
Columbus may have created space for Dansk, but they didn’t hesitate to grab another potential elite goaltender in this draft, with Russian Tarasov. Tarasov is healthy and ready to return to play. NHL size and athleticism, it’s hard to determine exactly how good he is since he missed his draft year, but we’re extremely optimistic.
15 (6) Taylor Leier - W - Lehigh Valley Phantoms (AHL) - Drafted 173rd Overall, 2012
Leier is getting every opportunity in Philadelphia, he’s an energy 3rd or 4th line player with good hands, but he’s not taken it yet. Played 10 games this season for the Flyers.
16 (7) Dominik Simon - LW - Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins (AHL) - Drafted 65th Overall, 2016
Simon struggled this season - but injuries in Pittsburgh opened the door for more ice time in the minors and he took it, finding his scoring late in the season. He was a late season call-up and part of the Black Aces on the Cup winning squad. Still struggles because of his size, needs to improve his skating and two-way play, but his creativity will still lead to opportunities.
17 (15) Cameron Hughes - C - University of Wisconsin (NCAA) - Drafted 159th, 2015
Cam Hughes has really blossomed in Wisconsin, playing with elite prospects Kulin and Frederick, and he didn't look out of place. He has good hands but needs to continue to improve his skating. One more season before he goes pro.
18 (NEW) Callum Booth - G - Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL) - Acquired in trade for Zack Kassian
Booth has NHL size and athleticism and he had a great season, leading the Sea Dogs to the QMJHL with sparkling stats in the playoffs, including 6 shutouts. He had a GAA of 1.67 on a .923% SV percentage. Struggled behind a surprisingly weak team performance in the Memorial Cup. Heading to Charlotte for his first pro season.
19 (NEW) Nicholas Caamano - W - Flint Firebirds (OHL) - Drafted 127th Overall, 2016
Youngster Caamano, a September birthday who’s just 12 days older than Nolan Patrick, showed the hidden offense we hoped was there when he was drafted. Scored 35 goals and 64 points in 67 OHL games. Signed his ELC with the Dallas Stars and scored 3 points in his AHL debut (6 games.) Will return to the OHL for another season.
20 (NEW) Brandon Hagel - W - Red Deer Rebels (WHL) - Drafted 90th Overall, 2016
Hagel, like Caamano, continued to mature and also exploded offensively in the WHL. He scored 31 goals and 71 points in 65 games in his draft plus one season and added 7 goals in 7 playoff games to his totals. An August birthday, so he was one of the younger draft eligible players last season. Will continue in the WHL for one more season.
HM
Connor Bunnaman - F -Kitchener Rangers (OHL) - Drafted 83rd Overall, 2016
Scored 41 goals in the 2016/17 OHL season and playoffs - and got rewarded with an ELC from the Flyers.
Vojtech Budik - D - Prince Albert Raiders (WHL) - Drafted 84th Overall, 2016
Budik continued his improvement and development.
Gemel Smith - F - Texas Stars (AHL) - Acquired in trade for Mark Borowiecki
Surprised many by making the NHL and making an impression. Should be a full-time NHL’er this season.
Stanislav Galiev - W - Washington Capitals (NHL) - Acquired in trade for Milan Hejduk
The restricted free agent may be looking for a new home as there is no space in the NHL for him. Returned full-time to the AHL and dominated offensively there.
Vaclav Karabacek - W - Baie-Comeau Drakkar (QMJHL) - Acquired in trade for Nick Holden
Struggled in his first pro season. Has all the tools but will require a lot of development still.
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I wish....
. Somehow I don't think you'll need to worry 
