The Calgary Flames have a decent pool of prospects that can help them compete in the future. Here are the 10 best to help the team back to the playoffs.
The Calgary Flames have made the playoffs just three times in the past 10 seasons. The last time they were in the postseason, they got swept. They haven’t been past the second round since 2004. The Flames should expect more, especially with a talented young core.
Still, that failure to make the postseason has given the Flames a good pool of prospects. Players who can help the team along, surround the Flames core with talent, and help the team back into contention.
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These prospects are ranked by multiple factors. They include ceiling, NHL readiness, and the likelihood they play consistently with the Calgary Flames. They come from multiple drafts, multiple rounds, and multiple junior leagues.
Goaltenders
Jon Gillies
Stats: 39 gp, 2.53 GAA, .917 SV%. Stockton Heat, AHL.11 gp, 2.88 GAA, .896 SV%. Calgary Flames, NHL
Jon Gillies was a top 20 goaltender in the AHL this season, though he didn’t get the hardware to prove it. He had the 13th best save percentage and 17th best goals against average in the regular season.
If he had a better team in front of him this season, he could have driven the Stockton Heat to the playoffs. Gillies didn’t do as well in the NHL, but at 24, the kid has time.
He improved over a tremendous previous season this year. While he took a back seat in the NHL, he did show some promise, and the room to improve should be filled.
It’s remained clear why Gillies was a third-round pick, and if he takes another step this season and helps launch the Heat to the playoffs, he’ll be on the Calgary Flames roster sooner rather than later.
That’s if Gillies is in the AHL this season. He could very well start the season as the NHL backup to Mike Smith and look to earn himself the Flames’ future starting job.