MatthewFlames
Registered User
The Flames are graduating more than a half-dozen prospects for the upcoming season: Mathew Barzal, Oliver Bjorkstrand, Val Nichushkin is back, Taylor Leier, Gemel Smith, William Carrier and Laurent Brossoit. Traded out from this list was #5, Jacob Larsson.
The Flames have now graduated 13 prospects since the summer of 2016.
That trend should continue next summer with three additional players already approaching 50 games in the NHL - Simon has eclipsed that but some were playoff games - and Svechnikov, most likely, will play in the NHL this season. After that, the pipeline will slow down as all the graduations have thinned the list out.
Last years List:
https://hfboards.mandatory.com/threads/hfnh-flames-top-20-prospects.2363415/#post-133973813
1. (NEW) Andrei Svechnikov – RW – Barrie Colts – Drafted 2nd overall, 2018
The handsome player is just what the Canes need. Most likely he’s going to be in the NHL this season as there may not be any benefit to sending him back to junior.
2. (4) Ryan Poehling – C – St. Cloud State – Drafted 20th overall, 2017
Poehling had an outstanding season for St. Cloud State where he was able to put up a PPG in the NCAA on one of the best teams in the nation. In fact, he led all players 19 and under in PPG in the NCAA. Showed off a lot more offensive flair and improved his footwork and skating. His two-way play is still improving and because he’s going to be a junior while still a teenager, there is no rush to get him into the NHL and we’d expect he will play out two more seasons before going pro. Will get another shot at the World Juniors this winter.
3. (NEW) Alexander Alexeyev – D – Red Deer Rebels – Drafted 34th overall, 2018
Great skating, mobile, 6’4” defenseman will look to stay healthy this season and expand his game with the puck. Ended up in the perfect situation for his development in Washington. It will be slow and steady for this player, I imagine, but wouldn’t surprise me if he made the Caps roster for a few games to start the season.
4. (11) Filip Hronek – D – Grand Rapids Griffins – Acquired in trade for Jake Gardiner
He was, before the draft, considered the best Red Wings prospect not in the NHL. He had a real season of growth in his first pro season in the AHL, both with the puck (he had 39 points in 67 games) and without. He may need one more season of development but he’s knocking on the NHL’s door.
5. (6) Dominik Simon – F – Pitssburg Penguins – Drafted 65th overall, in 2016
Simon started the season in the AHL but spent the second half of the season in the NHL, including the playoffs, where he recovered from an injury in time to patrol Sydney Crosby’s wing. He doesn’t mind digging the puck out along the boards and he doesn’t mind hitting people, despite his smaller frame. At the same time, he has top end hands and skill and skating to keep up with the best. Still adjusting to the pace of the game at the NHL level and will need another season to put it all together. Has been the subject of trade rumours as the Pens chase some of the bigger names out there.
6. (7) Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen – G – HPK – Drafted 51st overall, 2017
Luukkonen had a reasonable season but not a great one. His season included starting for Finland in the World Juniors, where he was pretty average, and playing most of the season on loan in the Mestis against men in Finland. We’re looking for him to take it to the next level this upcoming season where he should once again lead the Finnish squad into the World Juniors.
7. (12) Oscar Dansk – G – Vegas Golden Knights – Acquired in trade for Nicholas Backstrom
Dansk went from hot prospect to obscurity in Sweden to getting cut by the Blue Jackets to signing on with the expansion Golden Knights as a backup goalie in the AHL. Cue some injuries and Dansk turned hero in the NHL, winning three games at a key moment in the Knights season. At the point he was injured he had a .946 SV% and 1.78 GAA. After missing several months Dansk was returned to the AHL. And here is an incredible stat about his season – he didn’t lose a game in the regular season during regulation until April - in any league. He finished the season 16-3-2 in combined AHL and NHL stats. His status as a genuine prospect has returned.
8. (8) AJ Greer – F – Colorado Avalanche - Drafted 79th overall, 2015
Greer suffered from being physically ready for the NHL but not quite developed enough to hold down a top-six position – bouncing back and forth between the AHL and NHL – and he suffered a few injuries as well. He is nasty, tough and huge, he can skate and he has soft hands and a killer shot. Still needs to work on his positioning and play away from the puck – this season will help define his future.
9. (9) Tanner Kaspick – F – Victoria Royals – Drafted 102nd overall, 2016
Kaspick enjoyed a fantastic season that ended with both frustration and a step up. Despite being a late cut for the Canadian World Junior squad, Kaspick continued to go about his business putting up points in the WHL. Gelled with high-end skilled players Noah Gregor and Matthew Phillips after a trade to Victoria but a concussion ended his season, and his team’s chances, in the playoffs. He did, however, recover in time to make his pro debut in the playoffs for the Manitoba Moose, where he managed an assist in his only game. The Blues prospect will enter his first full season as a pro later this summer.
10. (10) Mikhail Maltsev – C – SKA St. Petersburg – Drafted 77th overall, 2016
Maltsev had a very promising year of development, despite a quiet World Juniors. He made his debut in the KHL, his two-way play garnered him notice and he won rookie of the week during an offensive outburst. He scored 17 points in 25 games against men in the second tier in addition to his 18 KHL games. He was signed to an extension to remain in Russia, where he’ll try to force his way onto the KHL roster full-time.
11. (NEW) Filip Pyrochta – D – Bili Tigri – Drafted 167th overall, 2018
A super smooth skating defenseman with some offensive upside, a slightly bigger and more physical version of a player we drafted a couple of years ago with a similar trajectory in Marcus Nutivaara. He signed an ELC with the Predators for his first pro season in North America and at 21 should be ahead of the development curve of most Europeans - he spent two years of junior in the QMJHL.
12. (NEW) Aarne Talvitie – F – Espoo Blues – Drafted 198th overall, 2017
The winner of the Teemu Selanne Award as the best Jr. A SM-liiga player, he was also a first-team all-star and led the league in points, winning the Kari Jalonen Award. A late cut for the World Junior team, he’s expected to be on the squad this season, perhaps even wearing a letter. Talvitie heads to his freshman season at Penn State University.
13. (NEW) Daniil Tarasov – G – Tolpar Ufa – Drafted 150th overall, 2017
Tarasov recovered from missing a full season to leading his MHL (Russian Jr.) team into the playoffs. He put out some sparkling individual stats, a .928 SV percentage and a 1.85 GAA, over the season. Expected to compete for the starting job for the Russian World Junior team this year - two years after starting for the WJC-18 team as a 16-year-old.
14. (NEW) Danila Zhuravlyov – D – Irbis Kazan – Drafted 147th overall, 2018
The newly drafted Zhuravlyov has tremendous upside as a two-way defender and leader. He will be in contention for a spot in the top six in the World Juniors squad for Russia this year and because he hasn’t signed a contract in Russia yet, the rumour is that he’s considering a move to the CHL.
15. (19) Nicholas Caamano – F – Hamilton Bulldogs – Drafted 127th overall, 2016
Caamano went from being the driver of offense for Flint to just one of many talented players doing that for the Hamilton Bulldogs. But it didn’t faze Caamano one bit – he fit in and helped his team with a PPG playoff run and the eventual lifting the OHL championship and a place in the Memorial Cup. He’s signed his ELC with the Stars organization and will enter next season as a first-year pro.
16. (HM) Connor Bunnaman – F – Kitchener Rangers – Drafted 83rd overall, 2016
Bunnaman’s individual stats may have taken a step back (he couldn’t repeat his 22% shooting percentage of the year before) – but the Rangers captain led his team deep into the playoffs in his final season of eligibility. He’s signed his ELC with the Flyers and will take his career into the pros next season. There are still concerns about his skating for the higher levels but has flashes of goal-scoring that could be an indicator that he'll be a useful bottom-six forward in the future.
17. (NEW) Jake McGrew – F – Spokane Chiefs – Drafted 197th overall, 2017
It took almost all of his rookie* season in the WHL for McGrew to get firing and back shown what he’s capable of – he missed his entire draft year with a knee injury. By the time playoffs hit he was scoring at a PPG pace and he was just named to the initial US squad for the upcoming World Junior Summer Showcase.
18. (18) Callum Booth – G – Florida Everblades – Acquired in trade for Zack Kassian
Booth showed well in his first season as a pro – splitting starts in the ECHL and being the better of the two goalies for the ECHL's runner-ups. Lost his starting position in the playoffs and is a few years off but the promise remains for a franchise (Hurricanes) that is searching for a long-term solution in goal. He may be back-up in the AHL as early as next season.
19. (17) Cameron Hughes – F – Providence Bruins – Drafted 159th overall, 2015
The Wisconsin captain earned himself an ELC from the Boston Bruins, the team who drafted him in the sixth round. A high skill player who’s been linemates with Trent Frederic and Luke Kunin in his last couple of seasons, so he can play with skill and contribute. Hughes will have to improve his two-way play to get a shot with the big club.
20. (NEW) Nick Wolff – D – Univ of Minnesota-Duluth – Drafted 186th overall, 2014
Patience has been required for this prospect. He was a 7th round pick in 2014. If he hadn’t attended the Flames development camps for a few seasons he may have been cut loose. Wolff is a big defensive defenseman who came to prominence this season as Scott Perunovich’s defensive partner. As Perunovich was darting all over the ice, it was Wolff who covered for him on the national championship team. Expect him to get free agent offers this summer, and as someone who is almost 22 with a championship under his belt, he may just take one. Attending the Bruins development camp this season.
HM
Brandon Biro – this 20-year-old lit up the NCAA’s, scoring more points than some illustrious names who are the same age, including Middlestat, Tufte, and Frederic. Still didn’t get drafted but is on the radar of the Buffalo Sabres. He’s currently attending their development camp for the second year. There is high potential he’ll play on Talvitie’s wing this year at Penn State.
The Flames have now graduated 13 prospects since the summer of 2016.
That trend should continue next summer with three additional players already approaching 50 games in the NHL - Simon has eclipsed that but some were playoff games - and Svechnikov, most likely, will play in the NHL this season. After that, the pipeline will slow down as all the graduations have thinned the list out.
Last years List:
https://hfboards.mandatory.com/threads/hfnh-flames-top-20-prospects.2363415/#post-133973813
1. (NEW) Andrei Svechnikov – RW – Barrie Colts – Drafted 2nd overall, 2018
The handsome player is just what the Canes need. Most likely he’s going to be in the NHL this season as there may not be any benefit to sending him back to junior.
2. (4) Ryan Poehling – C – St. Cloud State – Drafted 20th overall, 2017
Poehling had an outstanding season for St. Cloud State where he was able to put up a PPG in the NCAA on one of the best teams in the nation. In fact, he led all players 19 and under in PPG in the NCAA. Showed off a lot more offensive flair and improved his footwork and skating. His two-way play is still improving and because he’s going to be a junior while still a teenager, there is no rush to get him into the NHL and we’d expect he will play out two more seasons before going pro. Will get another shot at the World Juniors this winter.
3. (NEW) Alexander Alexeyev – D – Red Deer Rebels – Drafted 34th overall, 2018
Great skating, mobile, 6’4” defenseman will look to stay healthy this season and expand his game with the puck. Ended up in the perfect situation for his development in Washington. It will be slow and steady for this player, I imagine, but wouldn’t surprise me if he made the Caps roster for a few games to start the season.
4. (11) Filip Hronek – D – Grand Rapids Griffins – Acquired in trade for Jake Gardiner
He was, before the draft, considered the best Red Wings prospect not in the NHL. He had a real season of growth in his first pro season in the AHL, both with the puck (he had 39 points in 67 games) and without. He may need one more season of development but he’s knocking on the NHL’s door.
5. (6) Dominik Simon – F – Pitssburg Penguins – Drafted 65th overall, in 2016
Simon started the season in the AHL but spent the second half of the season in the NHL, including the playoffs, where he recovered from an injury in time to patrol Sydney Crosby’s wing. He doesn’t mind digging the puck out along the boards and he doesn’t mind hitting people, despite his smaller frame. At the same time, he has top end hands and skill and skating to keep up with the best. Still adjusting to the pace of the game at the NHL level and will need another season to put it all together. Has been the subject of trade rumours as the Pens chase some of the bigger names out there.
6. (7) Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen – G – HPK – Drafted 51st overall, 2017
Luukkonen had a reasonable season but not a great one. His season included starting for Finland in the World Juniors, where he was pretty average, and playing most of the season on loan in the Mestis against men in Finland. We’re looking for him to take it to the next level this upcoming season where he should once again lead the Finnish squad into the World Juniors.
7. (12) Oscar Dansk – G – Vegas Golden Knights – Acquired in trade for Nicholas Backstrom
Dansk went from hot prospect to obscurity in Sweden to getting cut by the Blue Jackets to signing on with the expansion Golden Knights as a backup goalie in the AHL. Cue some injuries and Dansk turned hero in the NHL, winning three games at a key moment in the Knights season. At the point he was injured he had a .946 SV% and 1.78 GAA. After missing several months Dansk was returned to the AHL. And here is an incredible stat about his season – he didn’t lose a game in the regular season during regulation until April - in any league. He finished the season 16-3-2 in combined AHL and NHL stats. His status as a genuine prospect has returned.
8. (8) AJ Greer – F – Colorado Avalanche - Drafted 79th overall, 2015
Greer suffered from being physically ready for the NHL but not quite developed enough to hold down a top-six position – bouncing back and forth between the AHL and NHL – and he suffered a few injuries as well. He is nasty, tough and huge, he can skate and he has soft hands and a killer shot. Still needs to work on his positioning and play away from the puck – this season will help define his future.
9. (9) Tanner Kaspick – F – Victoria Royals – Drafted 102nd overall, 2016
Kaspick enjoyed a fantastic season that ended with both frustration and a step up. Despite being a late cut for the Canadian World Junior squad, Kaspick continued to go about his business putting up points in the WHL. Gelled with high-end skilled players Noah Gregor and Matthew Phillips after a trade to Victoria but a concussion ended his season, and his team’s chances, in the playoffs. He did, however, recover in time to make his pro debut in the playoffs for the Manitoba Moose, where he managed an assist in his only game. The Blues prospect will enter his first full season as a pro later this summer.
10. (10) Mikhail Maltsev – C – SKA St. Petersburg – Drafted 77th overall, 2016
Maltsev had a very promising year of development, despite a quiet World Juniors. He made his debut in the KHL, his two-way play garnered him notice and he won rookie of the week during an offensive outburst. He scored 17 points in 25 games against men in the second tier in addition to his 18 KHL games. He was signed to an extension to remain in Russia, where he’ll try to force his way onto the KHL roster full-time.
11. (NEW) Filip Pyrochta – D – Bili Tigri – Drafted 167th overall, 2018
A super smooth skating defenseman with some offensive upside, a slightly bigger and more physical version of a player we drafted a couple of years ago with a similar trajectory in Marcus Nutivaara. He signed an ELC with the Predators for his first pro season in North America and at 21 should be ahead of the development curve of most Europeans - he spent two years of junior in the QMJHL.
12. (NEW) Aarne Talvitie – F – Espoo Blues – Drafted 198th overall, 2017
The winner of the Teemu Selanne Award as the best Jr. A SM-liiga player, he was also a first-team all-star and led the league in points, winning the Kari Jalonen Award. A late cut for the World Junior team, he’s expected to be on the squad this season, perhaps even wearing a letter. Talvitie heads to his freshman season at Penn State University.
13. (NEW) Daniil Tarasov – G – Tolpar Ufa – Drafted 150th overall, 2017
Tarasov recovered from missing a full season to leading his MHL (Russian Jr.) team into the playoffs. He put out some sparkling individual stats, a .928 SV percentage and a 1.85 GAA, over the season. Expected to compete for the starting job for the Russian World Junior team this year - two years after starting for the WJC-18 team as a 16-year-old.
14. (NEW) Danila Zhuravlyov – D – Irbis Kazan – Drafted 147th overall, 2018
The newly drafted Zhuravlyov has tremendous upside as a two-way defender and leader. He will be in contention for a spot in the top six in the World Juniors squad for Russia this year and because he hasn’t signed a contract in Russia yet, the rumour is that he’s considering a move to the CHL.
15. (19) Nicholas Caamano – F – Hamilton Bulldogs – Drafted 127th overall, 2016
Caamano went from being the driver of offense for Flint to just one of many talented players doing that for the Hamilton Bulldogs. But it didn’t faze Caamano one bit – he fit in and helped his team with a PPG playoff run and the eventual lifting the OHL championship and a place in the Memorial Cup. He’s signed his ELC with the Stars organization and will enter next season as a first-year pro.
16. (HM) Connor Bunnaman – F – Kitchener Rangers – Drafted 83rd overall, 2016
Bunnaman’s individual stats may have taken a step back (he couldn’t repeat his 22% shooting percentage of the year before) – but the Rangers captain led his team deep into the playoffs in his final season of eligibility. He’s signed his ELC with the Flyers and will take his career into the pros next season. There are still concerns about his skating for the higher levels but has flashes of goal-scoring that could be an indicator that he'll be a useful bottom-six forward in the future.
17. (NEW) Jake McGrew – F – Spokane Chiefs – Drafted 197th overall, 2017
It took almost all of his rookie* season in the WHL for McGrew to get firing and back shown what he’s capable of – he missed his entire draft year with a knee injury. By the time playoffs hit he was scoring at a PPG pace and he was just named to the initial US squad for the upcoming World Junior Summer Showcase.
18. (18) Callum Booth – G – Florida Everblades – Acquired in trade for Zack Kassian
Booth showed well in his first season as a pro – splitting starts in the ECHL and being the better of the two goalies for the ECHL's runner-ups. Lost his starting position in the playoffs and is a few years off but the promise remains for a franchise (Hurricanes) that is searching for a long-term solution in goal. He may be back-up in the AHL as early as next season.
19. (17) Cameron Hughes – F – Providence Bruins – Drafted 159th overall, 2015
The Wisconsin captain earned himself an ELC from the Boston Bruins, the team who drafted him in the sixth round. A high skill player who’s been linemates with Trent Frederic and Luke Kunin in his last couple of seasons, so he can play with skill and contribute. Hughes will have to improve his two-way play to get a shot with the big club.
20. (NEW) Nick Wolff – D – Univ of Minnesota-Duluth – Drafted 186th overall, 2014
Patience has been required for this prospect. He was a 7th round pick in 2014. If he hadn’t attended the Flames development camps for a few seasons he may have been cut loose. Wolff is a big defensive defenseman who came to prominence this season as Scott Perunovich’s defensive partner. As Perunovich was darting all over the ice, it was Wolff who covered for him on the national championship team. Expect him to get free agent offers this summer, and as someone who is almost 22 with a championship under his belt, he may just take one. Attending the Bruins development camp this season.
HM
Brandon Biro – this 20-year-old lit up the NCAA’s, scoring more points than some illustrious names who are the same age, including Middlestat, Tufte, and Frederic. Still didn’t get drafted but is on the radar of the Buffalo Sabres. He’s currently attending their development camp for the second year. There is high potential he’ll play on Talvitie’s wing this year at Penn State.
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