Classement Organisationnel Pronman 2020 - No 16 - FLAMES

FLAMES

Classement de l’an dernier: 27e
Classement de la NHL: 19e
Gradués: Austin Wagner, Thatcher Demko

1. Quinn Hughes, D, Vancouver-NHL

Oct. 14, 1999 | 5-foot-10 | 170 pounds

Tier: Elite LNHV2 player

Skating: 70

Puck Skills: 60

Physical Game: 30

Hockey Sense: 65

Hughes entered the NHL as a rookie with a bang, posting 50 points and looking like one of the most dynamic young players in the league. He’s an exceptional skater. His speed is very good, not elite, but he has some of the best edgework I’ve ever seen. He darts and maneuvers so well around the ice, eluding checks consistently. He stands out with the puck on his stick. He has great stick skills and always has his head up, looking to make a play. He makes a ton of great zone exits and entries due to his mobility and vision, while also being a very creative player, making plays inside the offensive zone. Hughes has worked on his shot to where it’s now a useful component of his game. He’s undersized, and it will limit him defensively. His skating makes up for a lot on that front, but very big, powerful and fast players can give him trouble.

2. Spencer Knight, G, Boston College-Hockey East

April 19, 2001 | 6-foot-3 | 192 pounds

Tier: High-end/very good bubble

Athleticism: 60

Hockey Sense: 60

Knight was one of the best 18-year-old goalies I’ve seen in college hockey, being a big reason why Boston College was a top team. He was also a top player for Team USA at the world juniors. Knight is a 6-foot-3 goalie with great quickness and sense. He has the athleticism to push off and make the tough lateral saves, but he often doesn’t need to because of his smarts. Knight reads the play at a high level, with his head on a swivel and tracking pucks very well. His movement in the net is efficient and it never seems like he has to scramble. He plays pucks very well, showing the skill and athleticism to help his team outside the crease.

3. Victor Soderstrom, D, Brynas-SHL

Feb. 26, 2001 | six-foot | 196 pounds

Tier: High-end/very good bubble

Skating: 55

Puck Skills: 65

Physical Game: 40

Hockey Sense: 60

After being a late cut from Coyotes camp, Soderstrom was excellent for an 18 year old in the SHL and a top defenseman at the world juniors. His great skill and puck-moving ability were on display versus men all season. Soderstrom is a confident, creative player with elite skill who can beat pro defenders with consistency. He shows great poise with the puck, having his head up and making plays at both ends of the rink. Soderstrom is a good skater, not a burner, but has enough quickness to evade pressure, spin off checks and get up the ice. Defensively he’s fine due to how smart he is, but with his size and skating that’s not going to be his strength relative to his offense.

4. Gabriel Vilardi, C, Los Angeles-NHL

Aug. 16, 1999 | 6-foot-3 | 201 pounds

Tier: Very good NHL player

Skating: 50

Puck Skills: 60

Physical Game: 55

Hockey Sense: 60

After a lengthy absence spanning about a year, Vilardi returned and looked great between the AHL and NHL levels. When healthy, Vilardi is a powerful center with a high skill level. He shows great in-tight hands and made NHL players miss with his skill. He’s a great playmaker who makes creative passes in small areas. He can run a power play and find seams in the defense. Vilardi has a 6-foot-3 frame and can be strong on pucks, competes well off the puck and killed penalties in the AHL. His skating isn’t the best, but the stride is fine. It just lacks power and overall quickness. When healthy, Vilardi looks like a no doubt top-six forward, but now he needs to stay healthy.

LNHV2 POTENTIAL

Marc Del Gaizo, D, Massachusetts-Hockey East: Del Gaizo is a highly-skilled puck-mover who has the ability to play on a pro power play. He’s a good skater, not a true burner that you’d like as an undersized defenseman but I think his skating will make him able to play in the AHL for sure. Is he quick enough to be an LNHV2’er? I’d say it’s 50/50 but I really like his trajectory.

Ivan Chekhovich, LW, San Jose-AHL: Chekhovich had his bumps as a rookie pro. He’s a very skilled and intelligent offensive player who can make plays, but he’s not that big, and while he skates fine he could use an extra step.

Brady Keeper, D, Springfield-AHL: Keeper is a very intelligent puck-mover who can defend with his size and great physical play. His skating is just OK and didn’t produce a lot of offense as a rookie pro but he does have skill.

Chase Priskie, D, Springfield-AHL: Priskie is a very smart passer who can make plays, but his skating is average and it’s questionable if he can defend at the LNHV2 level.

Andrew Peeke, D, Columbus-NHL: Peeke is a 6-foot-3 defenseman with good mobility who can make stops versus men. He can make a fine first pass, but I do have some mild questions on how much offense/puck-moving skill he has for the top level.

Drew Helleson, D, Boston College-Hockey East: Helleson is a big defender who can make a great first pass and make stops. He has some mobility, but I wouldn’t say his speed or skill are going to jump out at you.

Maxime Lajoie, D, Belleville-AHL: Lajoie is a skilled and intelligent puck-mover with NHL experience, but his skating is just fine and he’s not a great defender.

Nikita Okhotyuk, D, Ottawa-OHL: Okhotyuk is a very physical defender who moves well and makes a good first pass but his skill level is a question.