Calgary Flames: Top 8 prospects worth getting excited about

6. Adam Ruzicka

21-year-old Adam Ruzicka saw himself shoot up the Flames top prospects list at the end of the 2018-19 season, and for good reason. While he started that season posting a mediocre 11 goals and 37 points in 35 games for the Sarnia Sting, a trade to the Sudbury Wolves seemed to spark him as he put up 24 goals in just 30 games with his new club.

After that very hot stint, many were excited to see how the 2017 fourth-round (109 overall) would produce during his first season as a pro. He spent the entire season with the Stockton Heat of the AHL, and while it wasn’t a complete disappointment, it certainly wasn’t what many had hoped for.

In 54 games, the 6-foot-4 centerman was only able to put up 10 goals and 17 assists. Hopefully for both himself and the Flames, he is able to improve on those numbers in a big way for the upcoming season. If not, he may slide right off this list.

5. Glenn Gadwin

The St. Louis Blues electing not to sign draft pick Glenn Gadwin appears as though it could be a blessing in disguise for the Flames. After being taken in the fourth-round (116 overall) at the 2015 NHL Entry Draft by the Blues, he did not impress them enough over his next two seasons with the Swift Current Broncos of the WHL to be given a contract. As a result, he played one final season with the Broncos as a 20-year-old, and put up an incredible 56 goals and 125 points in just 67 games.

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After that offensive outburst, the Flames signed the now 23-year-old Gadwin to an entry-level contract, a decision they surely don’t regret. After posting 38 goals in 64 games during his first season with the Stockton Heat, he easily surpassed those numbers in the 2019-20 season with 16 goals and 47 points in 53 games. He will have an opportunity to make the Flames roster for the upcoming 2020-21 season with a strong camp.