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Full list of NHL Organizational Rankings
The Calgary Flames Top 10 Prospects
1. Sven Bartschi, Left Wing
2. T.J. Brodie, Defense
3. Greg Nemisz, Right Wing
4. Max Reinhart, Center
5. Ryan Howse, Left Wing
6. Chris Breen, Defense
7. Paul Byron, Center
8. Mitch Wahl, Center
9. Roman Horak, Center
10. Lance Bouma, Center
Organizational Ranking: 27th
System Overview: The loss of elite prospect Tim Erixon really damaged this system, but a couple of steps forward by T.J. Brodie, Max Reinhart and Chris Breen on top of acquiring Paul Byron and Roman Horak by trade have somewhat lessened the fall. A lack of top-end prospects keeps this system in the lower tier of the league, but there's decent depth here.
2011 first round pick Sven Bartschi is a pretty safe bet to end up a good two-way second line forward. Greg Nemisz isn't the flashiest player but will be a fine big-body forward who finds ways to keep the possession game going in the right direction. Every scout I've spoken with this year universally applauded Max Reinhart for his development this year and his very smart two-way game. The Flames forward group is deep but there's no true high upside player here aside from maybe Ryan Howse who has quite a few holes in his game, but there's fine projection amongst this group.
The Flames don't have a ton on defense, but the players they do have are solid. T.J. Brodie looked at times dynamic in the AHL and while he has some kinks to iron out, he has a truly exciting element to his game. Chris Breen went from a player who may have been hard pressed to get a pro contract a year ago, to a player who is on the cusp of the NHL. Between the pipes, first round pick Leland Irving hasn't developed as planned and has been passed on the depth charts by Joni Ortio.
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1. Sven Bartschi, Left Wing
Date of birth: 10/05/1992
Age: 18
Height: 5'10''
Weight: 180
Shoots: Left
Statistics: 66 GP, 34 G, 85 P (Portland-WHL)
Acquired: First round, 13th overall in 2011 by Calgary
The Good: Sven Bartschi shows several desirable tools, especially in the finesse department. Sven is a solid skater who can get to full speed very quickly and while his top speed is good and he has turned around several WHL defenders, he doesn't consistently maintain an above-average level. His agility is good and he can really make people miss, be it from a standstill or while rushing the puck up the ice. Bartschi has very loose hands that allow him to make rapid moves with the puck and his while I grade his puck skills as above-average, he does flash ability beyond that. His wrist and slap shots are both desirable weapons, the latter of which shows plus velocity and he can consistently score from beyond the crease area. Sven is regularly trusted with PK duties due to his good anticipation, positioning and stick work.
The Bad: His physical game is below fringe level and although he does show a notable work ethic along the walls, at the moment he is nowhere near strong enough to be an effective physical pro. Offensively, there are times he tries to go beyond his means with his stick-handling.
Projection: Ideally, an above-average two-way second line winger. His floor projection is still somewhere on a top six.
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2. T.J. Brodie, Defense
Date of birth: 06/07/1990
Age: 21
Height: 6'1''
Weight: 183
Shoots: Left
Statistics: 68 GP, 5 G, 34 P (Abbotsford-AHL)
Acquired: Fourth round, 114th overall in 2008 by Calgary
The Good: Brodie is an above-average skater who impresses in several aspects. He's a very good lateral mover who is agile and is a shifty player from a standstill and off his first few steps. He has the ability to be an effective rusher with his skating and to put pressure on the opposition when he brings the puck up the ice. He's an above-average puck-handler who can bring the puck up the ice well, but also is a fine distributor who at times flashes plus in that regard and is quite a power play weapon. Brodie shows a decent set of intangibles, and despite some of his holes, one can never fault Brodie for trying along the boards and defensively overall.
The Bad: Brodie has a tendency to be a bit of a gambler with high risk/high reward type plays. He has the ability to be an offensive force with his skating and puck skills but has to learn when to time his rushes and offensive attempts better. His hockey sense moving the puck is good if not at times great, but when he tries to take matters into his own hands, he can run into trouble. Physically, he tries but he's not up to pro standards as of yet when it comes to one-on-one battles. His overall defensive zone play needs improvement too but there are signs that his defensive game is coming along.
Projection: Ideally, an above-average second pairing defenseman who is a top power play weapon. His foor projection is a really good third pairing defender and PP specialist.
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3. Greg Nemisz, Right Wing
Date of birth: 06/06/1990
Age: 21
Height: 6'3''
Weight: 195
Shoots: Right
Statistics: 68 GP, 14 G, 33 P (Abbotsford-AHL)
Acquired: First round, 25th overall in 2008 by Calgary
The Good: Nemisz regularly gets praise as a versatile player who will never be great at any one major aspect, but is good at a lot of things. He's an above-average thinker who makes quick decisions, positions himself well and shows a refined defensive game. He can play center or on the wing, but looks like he'll be a winger. He's not an offensive player or a flashy guy by any means, but he isn't a slouch in that department either. Nemisz has solid-average hands which can maneuver well in tight spaces and can flash the occasional notable move with the puck, but he doesn't display top-end creativity. He protects the puck well and sees the ice well enough to be a decent distributor. Nemisz is good at getting his stick on loose pucks near the crease and while he's not going to be a mid-distance sniper, he's going to get a lot of garbage goals. He shows good work ethic on the ice and in his first pro season he did his best to shed the tag that he's a big guy who doesn't play hard. Nemisz isn't a crash and banger, but didn't shy from going hard to the physical areas and forechecking the opposition.
The Bad: Skating is an area that still hampers Nemisz and while I've seen slight improvement in the area in regards to his straight-line movement, he's still a below-average mover with a sluggish first few steps and isn't particularly mobile. His frame has filled nicely, but still has to get just one notch stronger to fill a less-skillful role in the NHL.
Projection: A below-average second line winger with good two-way contributions. Safe projection is an above-average third liner who can spot on a scoring line when needed.
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4. Max Reinhart, Center
Date of birth: 02/04/1992
Age: 19
Height: 6'0''
Weight: 182
Shoots: Left
Statistics: 71 GP, 34 G, 79 P (Kootenay-WHL)
Acquired: Third round, 64th overall in 2010 by Calgary
The Good: Reinhart is an advanced two-way player who thinks the game at an above-average to plus level who regularly gets praise for his hockey sense. He's the type of player who makes things happen in the possession game despite a below-average overall skill set. He's a solid-average distributor and despite the fact his hands aren't all that great, it's his vision and aforementioned sense to see the ice and make good decisions that allow him to move the puck at a notable level. Reinhart is a good competitor and can win his fair share of puck battles despite an okay frame that's still filling out. His defensive game is solid and he has shown the ability to be a good penalty killer.
The Bad: Reinhart doesn't really have a ton of offensive tools as both his hands and skating grade as below-average. He can move the puck just fine, but he's not a true controller. His skating never shows fringe and can on occasion look decent, especially his agility but he doesn't look to have a pro-level top speed. Reinhart is still lean and has a ways to go before he's at a pro-level strength wise.
Projection: An above-average third line center with two-way contribution. He can likely fill some role in a bottom-six.
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5. Ryan Howse, Left Wing
Date of birth: 07/06/1991
Age: 20
Height: 5'11''
Weight: 185
Shoots: Left
Statistics: 70 GP, 51 G, 83 P (Chilliwack-WHL)
Acquired: Third round, 74th overall in 2009 by Calgary
The Good: Howse is a top-tier goal scoring prospect who has notched almost 100 goals in the last two WHL seasons. He is the prototypical goal-scoring winger in how he approaches the game with what scouts describe as a "lurking almost invisible style of play", but when he gets the puck he has a plus shot and can score from just about anywhere. Howse anticipates well in the offensive zone, and regularly gets numerous scoring chances despite seemingly not doing much on the ice. He has good hand-eye coordination but doesn't use it to dangle or control the puck, but rather to pull the puck into scoring position quickly and can get his stick on pucks in tight. Howse is a small guy but isn't a pushover and will work hard going to the physical areas and shows good balance on his skates jostling for position. He's shown effort towards improving his defensive game and plays with a notable amount of work ethic.
The Bad: Howse isn't much of a possession player as despite the fact he has decent puck skills, he gets rid of the puck very quickly to linemates who are more confident handling it. He will occasionally shoot the puck at bad times when he should have tried to create a higher percentage play. His skating isn't pro-level, although it isn't quite fringe either but more of the below-average to touching average level. He's somewhat agile but doesn't really have a dangerous top speed. Howse isn't a weak player by any means and shows a notable amount of strength, but needs to put on as much muscle as he can to survive as a sub 6'0" player. His defensive game has improved, but he still has a ways to go in that regard.
Projection: A below-average second line winger who needs coaching usage protection and will be a top unit power play option. It's score or AHL for Howse, as I'm not confident he can make it in a prime defensive role.
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6. Chris Breen, Defense
Date of birth: 06/29/1989
Age: 22
Height: 6'7''
Weight: 224
Shoots: Left
Statistics: 73 GP, 4 G, 11 P (Abbotsford-AHL)
Acquired: Undrafted free agent
The Good: Breen's development has shot straight upward since signing with the Flames out of the OHL and his stock has gone from a player one would've been hard-pressed to see play 10 NHL games to one who is on a direct path to the league. His stride and skating tool has shown improvements and while he's below pro-average, he does more than fine when you consider his massive frame. His straight-line skating is notable and he's okay in other directions but is a little awkward when it comes to his balance and there are some finer aspects of his footwork that can use some attention. Breen showed much more confidence moving the puck and that aspect of his game showed improvement and he was even spotting on the power play in the latter parts of the season. He's by no means a flashy guy and has a very low-end offensive projection, but can make the basic passes just fine and I've seen him even flash a tad beyond that at times. Breen's defensive game also showed improvement, and with his massive wingspan he is an effective stick-checker.
The Bad: Breen has very low-end offensive upside and it is hard to ever see him scoring beyond 10 points if he does indeed become an NHL regular. He can move the puck fine on his outlet distributions, but is rigid handling it and can look awkward with the puck. He still has a little filling out to do, and doesn't dominate physically like a man his size should but this was the first season when he started to train seriously.
Projection: An above-average third pairing defenseman with one-way contribution, who can most likely project into the league in some capacity.
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7. Paul Byron, Center
Date of birth: 04/27/1989
Age: 22
Height: 5'9''
Weight: 170
Shoots: Left
Statistics: 67 GP, 26 G, 53 P (Portland-AHL)
Acquired: Trade from Buffalo, drafted sixth round, 179th overall in 2007 by Buffalo
The Good: Byron is a plus skater with an explosive top gear who regularly put AHL defenders on their heels with his top-end speed. He accelerates really well and if the defense tries to close on him too quickly he'll simply two step them to the side and take off. He has above-average abilities with the puck and can make players miss on top of having the vision to set up along the half wall and distribute the puck off. Byron plays a hard game and does not shy from driving to the net.
The Bad: Just look at the height/weight listing and that is the major thing that is holding Byron back from being an above-average top six scorer. He's not a thin 170 lbs. as the frame is fine considering his size, but he's just so small. Byron basically can never take a shift off or show any indication he's not willing to drive to the net or play a pro physical game. Personally, I believe he can do that, but that is the glaring weakness with him.
Projection: A below-average second line forward in a perfect world. I can't see him beyond that as of now and if he doesn't make it as that he can't play in the league in a lower role. I don't think he's a long shot though, as the offensive abilities are legitimate enough that he has a shot.
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8. Mitch Wahl, Center
Date of birth: 01/22/1990
Age: 21
Height: 6'0''
Weight: 200
Shoots: Right
Statistics: 17 GP, 1 G, 5 P (Abbotsford-AHL)
Acquired: Second round, 48th overall in 2008 by Calgary
The Good: Wahl has above-average puck skills and is a slick puck-carrier who sees the ice and can distribute the puck well but he also has the skills to be able to handle it fine when he goes against defenders one-on-one. He displays good offensive creativity and has the ability to create even strength scoring chances and can be a quarterback from the sideboards on the power play. Wahl has a fine work ethic and will go to the net and get back to support the defense well on the backcheck. He's a decent skater and I don't think he's an above-average mover but he moves sufficiently for the pro game. His defensive game is solid and he shows the awareness to play a smart two-way game.
The Bad: Despite the 200 lb listing, Wahl has a notable strength deficiency and can easily be pushed off the puck or boxed out in the physical areas. Despite the decent defensive awareness, he doesn't show the physical ability to stick to his checks or support his defenders well down low along the boards. Wahl suffered two concussions this year that cut his first full pro season short and it has placed a major question mark on his future.
Projection: A below-average second line to above-average third line center if healthy, but his projection is really up in the air as of now.
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9. Roman Horak, Center
Date of birth: 05/21/1991
Age: 20
Height: 6'1''
Weight: 170
Shoots: Left
Statistics: 64 GP, 26 G, 78 P (Spokane-WHL)
Acquired: Trade from New York Rangers, drafted fifth round, 127th overall in 2009 by New York Rangers
The Good: Horak is a versatile player who can play center and wing, the former more so internationally. —he has done all right playing the position with quick hands on faceoff draws. He has pro level skating and puck skill tools, but aside from the occasional impressive pass or move, he doesn't really show indications of beyond average NHL skill. Horak has fine playmaker instincts and can distribute the puck around well. He has decent shot mechanics, but is more of a distributor and puck holder than a trigger guy. His defensive game is decent and he can kill penalties with his skating ability, work ethic and good stick work.
The Bad: Horak listed at 6'1", 170 lbs., but he is most certainly not that and I doubt he's even 6'0", 160 lbs.. Horak had issues with his physical game a few years ago, but has shown improvement in that area in terms of working along the boards and engaging his check, but doesn't have the necessary physical tools to be anything more than fringe in that area. The poor physical game and not above-average NHL skating likely will push him off to the wing at the highest level.
Projection: An average third line forward who likely can fill some bottom-six role at minimum.
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10. Lance Bouma, Center
Date of birth: 03/25/1990
Age: 21
Height: 6'1''
Weight: 210
Shoots: Left
Statistics: 61 GP, 12 G, 20 P (Abbotsford-AHL)
Acquired: Third round, 78th overall in 2008 by Calgary
The Good: Per one NHL source Bouma got the nickname "The Rock" for his non-stop motor and top-end intangibles. Bouma brings it every shift and has tremendous intangibles that will fit very well into a lower-tier role. He forechecks well, kills penalties and is one of those players who does all the little things well. He's not an above-average skater, but moves at a decent level and has fine straight-line speed. He has grown into his frame well and shows a solid physical game.
The Bad: Bouma's offensive upside is just about null and has the makings of your standard 10 minute a night fourth line player. His puck controlling skills are fringe at best.
Projection: An average fourth line forward
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The Sleeper: Fifth round pick in 2010 Michael Ferland showed a little more skill in viewings this year than he showed during his draft season and entering his final WHL season he could be a candidate to surprise from a player originally pegged with a fourth line ceiling.
Extra Notes: Defenseman John Ramage is a decent passer with a nice work ethic and physical game, but he's got lead feet and moves at a very poor level.
John Negrin is an above-average skating defenseman who has decent offensive potential, but multiple major injuries have derailed his prospect status and next year could be his last shot to push for a job with the Flames.
Goaltender Joni Ortio has above-average athleticism and has the ability to make the highlight reel save.
Bill Arnold was also a candidate I had for a sleeper in this system as he moves at a fine level, works hard and has solid offensive instincts.
My report on Markus Granlund can be found here and Tyler Wotherspoon's can be found here.
Corey Pronman is an author of Hockey Prospectus.
You can contact Corey by clicking here or click here to see Corey's other articles.
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Top 10 Prospects (07/11)
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