MatthewFlames
Registered User
All the real prospects are in the NHL. The top draft pick for the Flames in every draft since 2013 is a full-time NHL'er - Val Nichushkin, Dylan Larkin, Matt Barzal, Dominik Simon, Ryan Poehling, and Andrei Svechnikov - leaving the cupboard a little bare.
Four "graduates" and only one was a Flame when I last did a list. Eric Robinson, Nikita Gusev, Blake Lizotte and Ethan Bear are now full-time NHL'ers. Robinson (2018), Gusev, and Lizotte (2019) were UDFA's and Bear was acquired in a trade before the season began.
The following non-roster players have played in the NHL this year: Nikita Gusev, Blake Lizotte, Ethan Bear, Ryan Poehling, Nick Caamano, Cam Hughes, Connor Bunnamen, Rhett Gardner, and Eric Robinson.
1. (1) Ryan Poehling – C – Montreal Canadiens – Drafted 20th overall, 2017
A training camp concussion slowed the start to his season, was just hitting his stride in the AHL when he was called up. No points this season playing on the fourth line in a limited role in the NHL but is showing plenty of signs that he will be a good pro at the top level.
2. (2) Alexander Alexeyev – D –Hershey Bears – Drafted 34th overall, 2018
AA has started well in the AHL - showing off his maturity and high skill level - he's probably a ways away from the NHL because the Caps don't need him right now.
3. (3) Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen – G – Cincinnati Cyclones – Drafted 51st overall, 2017
The ECHL All-Star has recovered from his surgery without any issues and has done all he needs at the lower level. Just called up to the AHL. He went 12-5 with 3 shutouts in the ECHL with a 2.12 GAA.
4. (4) Daniil Tarasov – G – Ässät – Drafted 150th overall, 2017
Playing for Ässät in Finland he's made some highlight-reel saves and has had plenty of really good nights. He has also struggled at times - though on a squad that is often overmatched. Has taken the #1 job away from former NHL'er Sami Aittokiallio and has 25 appearances.
5. (5) Aarne Talvitie – F – Penn State – Drafted 198th overall, 2017
Has recovered from his injuries and has settled into a two-way role on a deep Penn State squad. Almost a PPG despite playing 3rd line minutes and 2nd line PP.
6. (6) Dillon Hamaliuk – F – Kelowna Rockets – Drafted 97thoverall, 2019
Started the season with a bang but has struggled to settle in with his new squad - missed December with a virus - but has returned and is playing better of late. Point production has been surprisingly down.
7. (13) Danila Zhuravlyov – D – Irbis Kazan – Drafted 147th overall, 2018
Zhuravlyov is just a consistent smart defender who was part of the silver medal-winning Russia squad in the 2020 World Juniors. Plays a lot of minutes. His only down-side is the lack of skill with the puck but could make a surprising bottom pair D down the road.
8. (10) Tuukka Tieksola – F - Kärpät– Drafted 109thoverall, 2019
Tieksola has a ton of offensive talent and is a puck hog (in a good way?). He's playing in a league or two too lower than he should. Has 43 points in 30 games in Jr. A SM Liiga and has seven games played between Liiga or Mestis.
9. (Returnee) Nicholas Caamano - Texas Stars - Drafted 127th overall, 2016
Surprisingly, the 2nd year pro made the NHL, played ten games, and scored a highlight-reel first NHL goal. Kept his head up after he was sent to the minors and has scored 13 points in 19 games.
10. (7) Brandon Hagel - F - Rockford IceDogs - Drafted 90th Overall, 2016
Hagel continues to show true potential as a first-year pro. Has 13 goals and 21 points in his rookie season in the AHL.
11. (10) Mikhail Maltsev – C – Binghamton Devils – Drafted 77th overall, 2016
Maltsev has taken a minute to adjust to North America, both the smaller ice surface and the style of play. Lately, his game has taken off - scoring some high skill goals. His two-way presence means he may be in the NHL sooner rather than later.
12. (11) Jake McGrew – F – Spokane Chiefs – Drafted 197th overall, 2017
McGrew is missing the second full season of his WHL career with another season-ending knee injury. Too bad, he just signed his ELC. Fingers crossed for a full recovery for the talented goalscorer.
13. (11) Nikita Pavlychev - F - Penn State - Drafted 98th Overall, 2015
Pavlychev has been a bit buried on the deep Penn squad but continues to do what he does - he's a monster and the best defensive forward in the NCAA's - and can pot the odd goal as well.
14. (15) Cameron Hughes – F – Providence Bruins – Drafted 159th overall, 2015
Hughes had a surprise call up and had his NHL debut earlier in the season. Scoring is off from his rookie season.
15. (16) Connor Bunnaman - F - Lehigh Valley Phantoms - Drafted 83rd overall, 2016
Bunnaman surprised many by making the Flyers on opening night and playing four NHL games to start the year. Just recalled today back to the bigs.
16, 17, 18 (The 3 UDFA Defenceman) - Oliwer Kaski, Brady Keeper, Jeremy Davies - UDFA class of 2019
Each of the three has had good first pro seasons - Kaski has taken a while to adjust to the smaller ice and a trade to Carolina has helped his game take off. Keeper is a defensive gem, a real rough and tumble player who gets plenty of PIMS. Davies is on the opposite side of the spectrum, he's a freewheeling puck carrying defenseman improving his defensive game.
19. (Returnee) Austin Strand - Ontario Reign - Drafted 186th overall, 2015
This Kings free agent has impressed and is taking real strides. Will need some more development time and an opportunity to open up but he's looking like he has some real NHL potential.
20. (*NEW) Markus Phillips - London Knights - Acquired in trade - 2019
Phillips found ice time hard to come by in the Kings system which is flush with defenseman just a few years older than he is. Playing in the ECHL wasn't helping and so he's returned to the OHL and was just traded to the London Knights. A deep playoff run is in his future.
Four "graduates" and only one was a Flame when I last did a list. Eric Robinson, Nikita Gusev, Blake Lizotte and Ethan Bear are now full-time NHL'ers. Robinson (2018), Gusev, and Lizotte (2019) were UDFA's and Bear was acquired in a trade before the season began.
The following non-roster players have played in the NHL this year: Nikita Gusev, Blake Lizotte, Ethan Bear, Ryan Poehling, Nick Caamano, Cam Hughes, Connor Bunnamen, Rhett Gardner, and Eric Robinson.
1. (1) Ryan Poehling – C – Montreal Canadiens – Drafted 20th overall, 2017
A training camp concussion slowed the start to his season, was just hitting his stride in the AHL when he was called up. No points this season playing on the fourth line in a limited role in the NHL but is showing plenty of signs that he will be a good pro at the top level.
2. (2) Alexander Alexeyev – D –Hershey Bears – Drafted 34th overall, 2018
AA has started well in the AHL - showing off his maturity and high skill level - he's probably a ways away from the NHL because the Caps don't need him right now.
3. (3) Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen – G – Cincinnati Cyclones – Drafted 51st overall, 2017
The ECHL All-Star has recovered from his surgery without any issues and has done all he needs at the lower level. Just called up to the AHL. He went 12-5 with 3 shutouts in the ECHL with a 2.12 GAA.
4. (4) Daniil Tarasov – G – Ässät – Drafted 150th overall, 2017
Playing for Ässät in Finland he's made some highlight-reel saves and has had plenty of really good nights. He has also struggled at times - though on a squad that is often overmatched. Has taken the #1 job away from former NHL'er Sami Aittokiallio and has 25 appearances.
5. (5) Aarne Talvitie – F – Penn State – Drafted 198th overall, 2017
Has recovered from his injuries and has settled into a two-way role on a deep Penn State squad. Almost a PPG despite playing 3rd line minutes and 2nd line PP.
6. (6) Dillon Hamaliuk – F – Kelowna Rockets – Drafted 97thoverall, 2019
Started the season with a bang but has struggled to settle in with his new squad - missed December with a virus - but has returned and is playing better of late. Point production has been surprisingly down.
7. (13) Danila Zhuravlyov – D – Irbis Kazan – Drafted 147th overall, 2018
Zhuravlyov is just a consistent smart defender who was part of the silver medal-winning Russia squad in the 2020 World Juniors. Plays a lot of minutes. His only down-side is the lack of skill with the puck but could make a surprising bottom pair D down the road.
8. (10) Tuukka Tieksola – F - Kärpät– Drafted 109thoverall, 2019
Tieksola has a ton of offensive talent and is a puck hog (in a good way?). He's playing in a league or two too lower than he should. Has 43 points in 30 games in Jr. A SM Liiga and has seven games played between Liiga or Mestis.
9. (Returnee) Nicholas Caamano - Texas Stars - Drafted 127th overall, 2016
Surprisingly, the 2nd year pro made the NHL, played ten games, and scored a highlight-reel first NHL goal. Kept his head up after he was sent to the minors and has scored 13 points in 19 games.
10. (7) Brandon Hagel - F - Rockford IceDogs - Drafted 90th Overall, 2016
Hagel continues to show true potential as a first-year pro. Has 13 goals and 21 points in his rookie season in the AHL.
11. (10) Mikhail Maltsev – C – Binghamton Devils – Drafted 77th overall, 2016
Maltsev has taken a minute to adjust to North America, both the smaller ice surface and the style of play. Lately, his game has taken off - scoring some high skill goals. His two-way presence means he may be in the NHL sooner rather than later.
12. (11) Jake McGrew – F – Spokane Chiefs – Drafted 197th overall, 2017
McGrew is missing the second full season of his WHL career with another season-ending knee injury. Too bad, he just signed his ELC. Fingers crossed for a full recovery for the talented goalscorer.
13. (11) Nikita Pavlychev - F - Penn State - Drafted 98th Overall, 2015
Pavlychev has been a bit buried on the deep Penn squad but continues to do what he does - he's a monster and the best defensive forward in the NCAA's - and can pot the odd goal as well.
14. (15) Cameron Hughes – F – Providence Bruins – Drafted 159th overall, 2015
Hughes had a surprise call up and had his NHL debut earlier in the season. Scoring is off from his rookie season.
15. (16) Connor Bunnaman - F - Lehigh Valley Phantoms - Drafted 83rd overall, 2016
Bunnaman surprised many by making the Flyers on opening night and playing four NHL games to start the year. Just recalled today back to the bigs.
16, 17, 18 (The 3 UDFA Defenceman) - Oliwer Kaski, Brady Keeper, Jeremy Davies - UDFA class of 2019
Each of the three has had good first pro seasons - Kaski has taken a while to adjust to the smaller ice and a trade to Carolina has helped his game take off. Keeper is a defensive gem, a real rough and tumble player who gets plenty of PIMS. Davies is on the opposite side of the spectrum, he's a freewheeling puck carrying defenseman improving his defensive game.
19. (Returnee) Austin Strand - Ontario Reign - Drafted 186th overall, 2015
This Kings free agent has impressed and is taking real strides. Will need some more development time and an opportunity to open up but he's looking like he has some real NHL potential.
20. (*NEW) Markus Phillips - London Knights - Acquired in trade - 2019
Phillips found ice time hard to come by in the Kings system which is flush with defenseman just a few years older than he is. Playing in the ECHL wasn't helping and so he's returned to the OHL and was just traded to the London Knights. A deep playoff run is in his future.
