Thanks everyone for your comments. It's appreciated and I am glad that you read my articles. Here's the players just off the list and not mentioned in the HM for the article. Just my views.
The prospects just out of the Top 20 list are just missing a few things in their overall games compared to the others.
21. (20) Akim Aliu, RW, 6.5C
Aliu has struggled to stay healthy and isn't the same player that he was at the end of last season. He's not playing as physical nor is he driving the net since the start of the season, trying too much to be a shooter. The big winger's time is running out with the Flames and hasn't impressed this year so far but there's still the second half.
22. James Martin, D, 6.5C
He's younger than Lamb but needs to remain healthy and stay at the AHL level. He has the tools just needs to start putting it all together at the pro level on a more consistent basis.
23. Brett Kulak, D, 6.5D
Kulak needs to get bigger and more physical in the defensive zone but is a good puck mover and controls the power play. He's on the worst team in the WHL, Vancouver Giants so his overall play is harder to assess and his team needs all of his offense to have a chance in games.
24. Coda Gordon, LW, 6.5D
Gordon has become a playmaker on his team's top line but it’s mostly from his excellent board play and driving to the net. He can score and has good hands but isn't mean or physical enough at this time. His skating will be an issue for him going forward if he doesn't get power skating help to improve balance, speed and acceleration. He has poor technique and isn't striding properly but it's all fixable with the right help.
25. Matt Deblouw, C, (6.0C should move up by next rating)
Deblouw has played well for a weak Michigan State as a freshman and has contributed to some of the teams wins. He could be a better overall player with three more years of development at the NCAA level.
I think the Flames need to make some important changes to their AHL level development program. The system played by the Abbotsford Heat isn't the same as the Flames' one and it's causing the call-ups to have to think too much about where to go and what they are doing instead of coming up and play exactly the same system and just naturally reacting to the game. The jump in speed at the NHL level is hard enough without have to think about what system the coach likes. The call-ups confidence will grow more quickly using the same system in both places and they will be more successful.
There has to be more emphasis put on the development of the organization's drafted prospects over career AHL players. If the player was a top line forward in junior then playing four line minutes will only hurt his confidence if he doesn't know how to play that grinding style. Development has to be more important than winning and the prospects have to learn from their mistakes down in the minors so that they make less dramatic mistakes at the higher level in the NHL where the stakes are much bigger.
I think Calgary is a little late on making their re-build if they do it this year. Should have done it two years ago and you would be seeing the results already. It is possible to do a partial re-build now and have a better chance in the next few years to make the playoffs again. The Senators did it by re-builting through their prospects and the draft. It's time for Calgary to follow suit and draft better then develop them in their system to get to the NHL. Too many draft pick for the Flames over the last 10 years aren't making it to the NHL with Calgary and have been traded away. Time to make those changes and be a successful franchise again.
Just my opinions. Thanks again for reading my articles and your nice comments!
