MatthewFlames
Registered User
The cupboard re-stocking begins - but the Flames don't really need any graduates at this time - unless it's another defenceman. Only inline to lose Getzlaf next season from the pro roster and there's plenty of replacement options already in the line-up. Patience continues to be the key.
2020 list graduates:
Connor Bunnamen (PHI)
- played in the round-robin series and 21 games w/ the Flyers this season.
Eric Robinson (CBJ)
- park of the Leafs killers he played in all 5 games in addition to 50 NHL games this season.
Top 21
1. (NEW) Seth Jarvis - W - Portland Winterhawks - Drafted 10th Overall, 2020
It's gonna be interesting to see where he lands in the NHL draft. Some great teams picking 10-15, I hope he lands at 13 with the Hurricanes.
2. (1) Ryan Poehling – C – Montreal Canadiens – Drafted 20th overall, 2017
In retrospect, he should have stayed in college one more season. Regardless, it was a year of challenges but one that still saw Poehling finish the season with a long run in the NHL. 27 NHL games but I'm not graduating him as I don't think he's really earned the jump yet. Hasn't dressed in the playoffs. More AHL seasoning is coming. With Larkin and Barzal, he only needs to be a great 3C for the Flames to replace Backlund in a couple of years. Still optimistic about him.
3. (2) Alexander Alexeyev – D –Washington Capitals – Drafted 34th overall, 2018
Alexeyev is close to a full-time NHL job - could be as soon as next season. Had a strong year in the AHL and continues to overcome adversity. Part of the Capitals playoff squad though he hasn't dressed.
4. (3) Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen – G – Cincinnati Cyclones – Drafted 51st overall, 2017
Luukkonen had a really up and down year making the jump to the pros. At times he went on dominant runs, at other times he struggled. As with most goalies, it'll be a few years more of development.
5. (4) Daniil Tarasov – G – TBD – Drafted 150th overall, 2017
Tarasov had a fantastic year of development in Liiga for a team that gave up a lot of shots. Super athletic and NHL sized, he continues to work on his technical game. The Blue Jackets haven't loaned him back to any European teams at this time, so perhaps they want him in the NA minor leagues next season. Columbus knows how to draft goalies so this keeps me super optimistic about this player.
6. (NEW) Ozzy Weisblatt - F - Prince George Cougars - Drafted 33rd Overall
A player who should step up and be one of the top scorers in the WHL next season - counting on him hitting 100 points and getting some $$ from Mountain Due.
7. (5) Aarne Talvitie – F – Penn State – Drafted 198th overall, 2017
Heading into season 3 in the NCAA's, he'll be a leader and expected to take a bigger role with a ton of graduates leaving the program.
8. (6) Dillon Hamaliuk – F – TBD – Drafted 97thoverall, 2019
That was one heck of a disappointing and rough season - mono and other injuries complicated his season - he missed games and took a long time to return to full speed. Had a great couple weeks just before the lockdown. As a 4-year WHL player he can leave for the AHL early.
9. (10) Brandon Hagel - F - Chicago Blackhawks - Drafted 90th Overall, 2016
Had a fantastic and impressive rookie pro season that ended up with his NHL debut in the last game before lockdown. Part of the playoff squad but hasn't dressed. Will get a long hard look for a permanent NHL role next season. Can't believe that the Sabres didn't sign him to an ELC. #Typical.
11. (17) Brady Keeper - D - Florida Panthers - UDFA 2019
Just played in his 2nd NHL game in the Florida play-in series - he's really close to a full-time NHL job. Continues to improve and develop well.
12 . (8) Tuukka Tieksola – F - Kärpät– Drafted 109thoverall, 2019
Tieksola dominated the U20's but with a deep Liiga squad above him only got into 5 games at senior level. Will have to make the jump this season as he's done all he can in the junior leagues and needs to start to adapt his play to a pro game.
13. (NEW) Carter Savoie - F - University of Denver - Drafted 62nd overall
When you have good skating and an elite level shot you have a real chance to be an NHL player. He'll need coaching up and a conversion to a more two-way pro-style game but he'll get time in college. Question is: if the NCAA's shut down for the season, will he go to Winnipeg in the WHL? Fingers crossed, actually.
14. (7) Danila Zhuravlyov – D – Irbis Kazan – Drafted 147th overall, 2018
Didn't look out of place with 36 games as a youngster in the KHL. Lot's of questions about him with rumours that he turned down an Avs EL contract and has little intention to come to NA. That drops him down the list.
15. (12) Jake McGrew – F – Spokane Chiefs – Drafted 197th overall, 2017
I still think McGrew could carve out a Tyler Benson style career - but he's going to have to stop with the major injuries. Played only 6 games in the WHL last season - going pro now - Sharks scouts are still talking him up in interviews - let's hope he rebounds as he's healthy again.
16. (14) Cameron Hughes – F – Providence Bruins – Drafted 159th overall, 2015
He was part of the Bruins camp for the restart but didn't make the squad. However, made his NHL debut this season. Hard-working and skilled, he could still carve out an NHL career.
17. (9) Nicholas Caamano - Dallas Stars - Drafted 127th overall, 2016
Caamano is part of the playoff squad for the Dallas Stars. He's come a long way very quickly and will be pushing for a full-time bottom-six role in the NHL as soon as next season.
18. (11) Mikhail Maltsev – C – Binghamton Devils – Drafted 77th overall, 2016
Maltsev had a strong development year - he's never been a big scorer though he has moments of elite skill. He's a big kid who skates well and plays a great two-way game. He could be a good compliment to the young Devils as a 3rd line C in a couple of years.
19 (18) Jeremy Davies - D - Milwaukee Admirals - UDFA 2019
Davies could be the injection that the Predators need next season, especially if they retool after a bad season - he's a puck-moving defenseman who has developed well, scoring 28 points from the blueline and was plus 26 in his rookie pro season, leading his team.
20. (NEW) Cross Hanas - F - Portland Winterhawks - Drafted 106th overall, 2020
Hanas is on tap to see an explosion in his point totals as he steps up to top 6 duty in the WHL - especially as most of the core pieces of the powerhouse Winterhawks remain. Needs to be more consistent.
21. (13) Nikita Pavlychev - F - TBD - Drafted 98th Overall, 2015
The Senior hasn't signed a contract with the Penguins yet - not sure if he'll get an ELC though I'd be surprised if he didn't once it becomes clear what is happening with the 20/21 season.
HM: Austin Strand (LAK), Markus Phillips (LAK), Nick Wolff (BOS), Brandon Biro (BUF), Reece Newkirk (NYI), Owen Lindmark (FLA).
2020 list graduates:
Connor Bunnamen (PHI)
- played in the round-robin series and 21 games w/ the Flyers this season.
Eric Robinson (CBJ)
- park of the Leafs killers he played in all 5 games in addition to 50 NHL games this season.
Top 21
1. (NEW) Seth Jarvis - W - Portland Winterhawks - Drafted 10th Overall, 2020
It's gonna be interesting to see where he lands in the NHL draft. Some great teams picking 10-15, I hope he lands at 13 with the Hurricanes.
2. (1) Ryan Poehling – C – Montreal Canadiens – Drafted 20th overall, 2017
In retrospect, he should have stayed in college one more season. Regardless, it was a year of challenges but one that still saw Poehling finish the season with a long run in the NHL. 27 NHL games but I'm not graduating him as I don't think he's really earned the jump yet. Hasn't dressed in the playoffs. More AHL seasoning is coming. With Larkin and Barzal, he only needs to be a great 3C for the Flames to replace Backlund in a couple of years. Still optimistic about him.
3. (2) Alexander Alexeyev – D –Washington Capitals – Drafted 34th overall, 2018
Alexeyev is close to a full-time NHL job - could be as soon as next season. Had a strong year in the AHL and continues to overcome adversity. Part of the Capitals playoff squad though he hasn't dressed.
4. (3) Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen – G – Cincinnati Cyclones – Drafted 51st overall, 2017
Luukkonen had a really up and down year making the jump to the pros. At times he went on dominant runs, at other times he struggled. As with most goalies, it'll be a few years more of development.
5. (4) Daniil Tarasov – G – TBD – Drafted 150th overall, 2017
Tarasov had a fantastic year of development in Liiga for a team that gave up a lot of shots. Super athletic and NHL sized, he continues to work on his technical game. The Blue Jackets haven't loaned him back to any European teams at this time, so perhaps they want him in the NA minor leagues next season. Columbus knows how to draft goalies so this keeps me super optimistic about this player.
6. (NEW) Ozzy Weisblatt - F - Prince George Cougars - Drafted 33rd Overall
A player who should step up and be one of the top scorers in the WHL next season - counting on him hitting 100 points and getting some $$ from Mountain Due.
7. (5) Aarne Talvitie – F – Penn State – Drafted 198th overall, 2017
Heading into season 3 in the NCAA's, he'll be a leader and expected to take a bigger role with a ton of graduates leaving the program.
8. (6) Dillon Hamaliuk – F – TBD – Drafted 97thoverall, 2019
That was one heck of a disappointing and rough season - mono and other injuries complicated his season - he missed games and took a long time to return to full speed. Had a great couple weeks just before the lockdown. As a 4-year WHL player he can leave for the AHL early.
9. (10) Brandon Hagel - F - Chicago Blackhawks - Drafted 90th Overall, 2016
Had a fantastic and impressive rookie pro season that ended up with his NHL debut in the last game before lockdown. Part of the playoff squad but hasn't dressed. Will get a long hard look for a permanent NHL role next season. Can't believe that the Sabres didn't sign him to an ELC. #Typical.
11. (17) Brady Keeper - D - Florida Panthers - UDFA 2019
Just played in his 2nd NHL game in the Florida play-in series - he's really close to a full-time NHL job. Continues to improve and develop well.
12 . (8) Tuukka Tieksola – F - Kärpät– Drafted 109thoverall, 2019
Tieksola dominated the U20's but with a deep Liiga squad above him only got into 5 games at senior level. Will have to make the jump this season as he's done all he can in the junior leagues and needs to start to adapt his play to a pro game.
13. (NEW) Carter Savoie - F - University of Denver - Drafted 62nd overall
When you have good skating and an elite level shot you have a real chance to be an NHL player. He'll need coaching up and a conversion to a more two-way pro-style game but he'll get time in college. Question is: if the NCAA's shut down for the season, will he go to Winnipeg in the WHL? Fingers crossed, actually.
14. (7) Danila Zhuravlyov – D – Irbis Kazan – Drafted 147th overall, 2018
Didn't look out of place with 36 games as a youngster in the KHL. Lot's of questions about him with rumours that he turned down an Avs EL contract and has little intention to come to NA. That drops him down the list.
15. (12) Jake McGrew – F – Spokane Chiefs – Drafted 197th overall, 2017
I still think McGrew could carve out a Tyler Benson style career - but he's going to have to stop with the major injuries. Played only 6 games in the WHL last season - going pro now - Sharks scouts are still talking him up in interviews - let's hope he rebounds as he's healthy again.
16. (14) Cameron Hughes – F – Providence Bruins – Drafted 159th overall, 2015
He was part of the Bruins camp for the restart but didn't make the squad. However, made his NHL debut this season. Hard-working and skilled, he could still carve out an NHL career.
17. (9) Nicholas Caamano - Dallas Stars - Drafted 127th overall, 2016
Caamano is part of the playoff squad for the Dallas Stars. He's come a long way very quickly and will be pushing for a full-time bottom-six role in the NHL as soon as next season.
18. (11) Mikhail Maltsev – C – Binghamton Devils – Drafted 77th overall, 2016
Maltsev had a strong development year - he's never been a big scorer though he has moments of elite skill. He's a big kid who skates well and plays a great two-way game. He could be a good compliment to the young Devils as a 3rd line C in a couple of years.
19 (18) Jeremy Davies - D - Milwaukee Admirals - UDFA 2019
Davies could be the injection that the Predators need next season, especially if they retool after a bad season - he's a puck-moving defenseman who has developed well, scoring 28 points from the blueline and was plus 26 in his rookie pro season, leading his team.
20. (NEW) Cross Hanas - F - Portland Winterhawks - Drafted 106th overall, 2020
Hanas is on tap to see an explosion in his point totals as he steps up to top 6 duty in the WHL - especially as most of the core pieces of the powerhouse Winterhawks remain. Needs to be more consistent.
21. (13) Nikita Pavlychev - F - TBD - Drafted 98th Overall, 2015
The Senior hasn't signed a contract with the Penguins yet - not sure if he'll get an ELC though I'd be surprised if he didn't once it becomes clear what is happening with the 20/21 season.
HM: Austin Strand (LAK), Markus Phillips (LAK), Nick Wolff (BOS), Brandon Biro (BUF), Reece Newkirk (NYI), Owen Lindmark (FLA).
