Calgary Flames 2020 Draft

[Brewin Flames]

Flames 2020 NHL Draft preview: will Calgary swing for fences with trade?

Eric Francis@EricFrancis

September 28, 2020, 9:33 AM

 

 

While the NHL will spend two days casting its gaze on hundreds of 18-year-old prospects at the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, the focus in Calgary will be on a 27-year-old veteran.

 

If, in fact, general manager Brad Treliving agrees with the ever-growing belief in Calgary that it’s time for Johnny Gaudreau to be traded, it’s expected to happen during the NHL’s virtual draft next week.

Treliving has a history of using the two-day event to effect significant change to his roster with big trades, and given the team’s latest first-round exit, there’s plenty of reason to believe this year will be no different.

 

Or, will the flat cap further complicate a trade of such significance and play a role in ensuring the GM stands pat by doing little more than drafting six or seven players and filling his hole in net and on the blue line with unrestricted free agents?

 

With five of his defencemen tabbed to hit the open market Oct. 9, it wouldn’t be surprising if he used the draft to trade for an impact defender.

 

The only thing that would be shocking is if Treliving goes through this off-season without making some sort of splash via trade or on the open market.

Draft picks:

CGY 1st (19th overall), CGY 2nd, EDM 3rd (Conditional, Oilers will inform whether it’s this year or next), SJ 4th, CGY 5th, CGY 6th, CGY 7th.

Potential targets in Round 1:

Braden Schneider, D

 

A right-handed defenceman who plays a solid two-way game with the WHL's Brandon Wheat Kings, the Prince Albert native had seven goals and 35 assists in 60 games where he played on both special-team units. The six-foot-two, 209-pound defender excels in taking the body and patrolling his own end.

 

Kaiden Guhle, D

 

The left-handed defender has been doing it all with the Prince Albert Raiders, where the six-foot-two, 186-pound defenceman had 11 goals and 40 points in 60 games. Known for his skating, competitiveness and big shot, he’s also a physical presence who many believe could make the jump to the NHL earlier than most.

 

Dylan Holloway, C/LW

 

What a splash it would be to draft a local from nearby Bragg Creek, Alta. The six-foot-one, 203-pound forward has used his physicality at the University of Wisconsin to help post modest offensive stats. The 2019 CJHL player of the year with the Okotoks Oilers was the second-youngest player in the NCAA last year, but by season’s end, he’d looked at home as a versatile, two-way power forward who posted eight goals and nine assists in 35 games as a freshman.

 

Last year’s first pick: Jakob Pelletier

Picked 26th overall by the Flames, the speedy left-winger had 32 goals and 50 assists in 57 games last year with the Moncton Wildcats where the captain racked up 232 points in 182 games over three seasons.

 

The five-foot-nine, 165-pound playmaker was traded to Val D’Or in June where he will almost certainly play as a 19-year-old this season, while also being a shoo-in to play for Canada at the world juniors.

 

He missed last year’s Christmas tourney due to a concussion, but was included in Canada’s virtual selection camp this summer.

With the Flames top-nine forward ranks set, Pelletier would be a long shot to make the Flames in camp in a normal year, but with the NHL schedule still in flux, he will undoubtedly start the year with a stacked Foreurs team that made him captain right after trading for him.

 

Signed to a three-year entry deal by the Flames, Pelletier is tabbed to be a future sniper if the diminutive winger, who finished eighth in QMJHL scoring last year, can translate his game at the next level.

 

A player of tremendous character, Pelletier’s two-way play netted him a plus-57 rating, not to mention recognition as the league’s most gentlemanly player.

 

Organizational needs:

Given the fact the Flames have gone three years and 14 straight picks since they picked a defenceman (Juuso Valimaki went 16th overall in 2017) it’s hardly surprising their shortfall organizationally sits on the blue line.

 

The Flames did well to shore that up during the pause when they inked 24-year-old college hotshots Connor Mackey and Colton Poolman, as well as 23-year-old Swedish star Johannes Kinnvall. The latter will spend the upcoming season in Sweden while the other two will likely spend some time on the Flames' roster this season.

 

It would be easy to suggest the Flames will target a defenceman with their first-round pick (19th overall) on Oct. 6, but Treliving insists his draft strategy will focus once again on drafting the best player available, regardless of position. Still, no one would be surprised if the Flames took a defenceman or two, particularly if qualified right-handed blue-liners are available.

 

While the team’s starting goalie tandem is up in the air, pending whichever free agent Treliving inks to join David Rittich, it’s likely the Flames comfortable with Tyler Parsons and Artyom Zagidulin in the AHL, while CHL goalie of the year Dustin Wolf is progressing brilliantly in Everett.

 

Up front, Glenn Gawdin and Adam Ruzicka are close to pushing for NHL jobs, while Mathias Emilio Pettersen, Martin Pospisil, Luke Philp, Matthew Phillips and Dmitri Zavgorodny are intriguing up-and-comers who have important seasons ahead of them to prove they’re continuing to progress.

 

With Dillon Dube graduating to the big club last year and Andrew Mangiapane the year before, the team could sure use some more high-end forward depth moving forward.

[Brewin Flames]

Calgary currently holds six picks this year, with the possibility of a seventh being added due to the stipulations on the Milan Lucic - James Neal trade with the Edmonton Oilers.

 

The draft is scheduled to be held virtually on Oct. 6 and 7.

 

First Round: 24th overall Connor Zary (C)

 

Second Round: 50th overall* D YAN KUZNETSOV

 

Third Round: 72nd overall D JEREMIE POIRIER

 

Third Round 80th overall D JAKE BOLTMANN

 

Fourth Round: 96th overall*** G DANIIL CHECHELEV

 

Fifth Round: 143rd overall RW RYAN FRANCIS

 

Sixth Round: 174th overall C RORY KERINS

 

Seventh Round: 205th overall  D ILya Solovyov

* The Arizona Coyotes hold the 49th pick and will forfeit that selection as per the sanctions handed out by the NHL earlier this year. 

 

** The Flames may acquire the Oilers 2020 third round pick after the NHL ruled Edmonton will transfer their own third round pick in either the 2020 or 2021 NHL Draft to Calgary.

 

The Oilers have until the beginning of the third round in the 2020 NHL Draft to make the decision on which year the pick will be transferred. Currently, the Oilers have the 76th overall selection in this round.

 

In addition, the Flames have sent their earliest third round pick to the Chicago Blackhawks as a part of the trade that brought defenceman Erik Gustafsson to Calgary, which is currently the 81st overall pick this year, so if the Oilers opt to keep their pick this year, that is the pick that will go to Chicago.

 

*** The Flames acquired the 96th overall selection from the Buffalo Sabres in the Michael Frolik trade.

 

This is well-traveled pick, with the Sabres acquiring it from the Montreal Canadiens in the Marco Scandella trade.

 

Prior to that, the Canadiens acquired it from the San Jose Sharks in a trade that involved swapping picks. The Flames' original fourth round pick was sent to the LA Kings in the Oscar Fantenberg trade in the 2018-19 season.

Edited October 8, 2020 by Brewin Flames

[Brewin Flames]

Flames make Zary club's first pick of draft

The Calgary Flames took their time making a first-round selection in the NHL entry draft on Tuesday before picking centre Connor Zary 24th overall. Calgary started with the No. 19 pick, but twice dropped down the order to gain additional third-round selections.

CALGARY — The Calgary Flames took their time selecting Connor Zary in the first round of the NHL entry draft Tuesday.

The Flames owned the No. 19 selection, but twice dropped down the order to gain an additional a pair of third-round picks for Wednesday.

Calgary eventually called Zary's name at No. 24. The Flames had alumni and Hockey Hall of Famer Lanny McDonald announce his name.

The six-foot, 178-pound forward from Saskatoon had an inkling the Flames might be interested in him based on his pre-draft interviews with the team.

""I think we both felt comfortable with each other and they seemed to really like my game," Zary said Tuesday evening on a conference call

""When it came up to 19, I was kind of getting nervous. Then they traded their pick and were back up again and traded the pick again. I was still available for them and I kind of thought 'this is going to be it.'"

Zary had 38 goals and 48 assists in 57 games in his third season with the Western Hockey League's Kamloops Blazers. He was named to the Western Conference all-star team.

"A highly competitive kid. He's in the middle of the action," Flames general manager Brad Treliving said.

"Fifty-fifty pucks, loose pucks, he's a dog on a bone and just plays with a lot of juice. You talk about how responsible he is, but he shot it in the net 39 times in a real good league.

"He's got a great personality in his game."

The Flames shipped out the 19th pick to get the 22nd and 72nd selections from the New York Rangers, before sliding No. 22 to the Washington Capitals for the 24th and 80th picks.

"We got a guy who we think a lot of, high on our list, and we were able to secure a couple assets," Treliving said.

"There were some anxious moments. The scouts are holding the breath when we're slipping down and names are coming up, but I know our guys really like this guy."

The Edmonton Oilers owe the Calgary Flames a third-round pick in either 2020 or 2021 as part of last summer's trade that sent Milan Lucic to Calgary for James Neal.

Oilers GM Ken Holland has indicated he'll defer to 2021, so Treliving's moves give Calgary third-round presence Wednesday.

"What it does, it allows you to make picks or be creative with those," the Flames GM said. "We've got a little bit more ammunition now than we did going into the night."

Zary has played in Calgary's Scotiabank Saddleome against the Hitmen, but has never been to an NHL game there.

"I've been there a few times. Never actually been to an NHL game live, which is embarrassing," Zary said.

"I've always chosen going to hockey practice or my own games over getting the opportunity to go to NHL games.

"The Saddledome is a special building and to have already been playing in it, had a few special moments there already, it's pretty exciting for sure."

[Brewin Flames]

2020 DODGE DRAFT RUNDOWN

Flames' draft haul includes four defencemen, three forwards and one goaltender

by RYAN DITTRICK @ryandittrick / CalgaryFlames.com

 October 7, 2020

• 

ROUND	PICK	PLAYER	AMATEUR CLUB
1	24	C CONNOR ZARY	KAMLOOPS (WHL)
2	50	D YAN KUZNETSOV	U-CONN (NCAA)
3	72	D JEREMIE POIRIER	SAINT JOHN (QMJHL)
3	80	D JAKE BOLTMANN	EDINA (HIGH-MN)
4	96	G DANIIL CHECHELEV	CHEKHOV (MHL)
5	143	RW RYAN FRANCIS	CAPE BRETON (QMJHL)
6	174	C RORY KERINS	SAULT STE. MARIE (OHL)
7	205	D ILYA SOLOVYOV	SAGINAW (OHL)

 

 

CONDITIONAL PICKS & DRAFT DEALS:

(1) The Flames traded the 19th pick to the New York Rangers for the 22nd and 72nd selections

(2) The Flames then traded the 22nd pick to the Washington Capitals for the 24th and 80th selections

(3) The Flames acquired Milan Lucic and a third-round pick in exchange for James Neal on July 19, 2019. The Oilers had the option to transfer that selection (76th overall) from this year's draft, or defer to 2021. They decided to keep this year's pick

(4) The Flames traded a third-round pick to the Chicago Blackhawks for Erik Gustafsson on Feb. 24, 2020. Since the Flames did not receive Edmonton's third-round pick in this year's draft, they sent their own third-round selection (81st overall) to Chicago to complete the trade

 

1ST ROUND, 24th OVERALL - CONNOR ZARY (KAMLOOPS, WHL)

Centre
Born: September 25, 2001
Height 6.00 -- Weight 178 lbs. -- Shoots L

 

 

 

 

PLAYER PROFILE

 

• Tied for fifth in WHL scoring with 86 (38G, 48A) in 57 games in 2019-20

 

• Recorded 28 multi-point games in 2019-20 including 10 three-point outings

 

• Part of Team Canada's fourth-place entry at the 2019 Under-18 World Championship where he recorded seven points (4G, 3A) in six games

 

• A two-way forward who models his style of play after Canucks forward Bo Horvat

 

 

Scouting Report: Smart, competitive player. Good on both sides of the puck. Good skill level. Can make plays at speed.

 

Current Player Comparable: Derick Brassard

 

Director of Amateur Scouting Tod Button's Take: "We talked a lot before the draft about the depth of it, or good it was. If we get Connor Zary at 24, that tells you about the talent level in this draft.

 

Obviously, we're really excited to get him. Smart player, good hands, good vision and good motor. A good motor. We were talking going into the season about wanting to see if he could produce a little more offensively than he has in the past and he certainly picked it up in that regard.

 

He's a multi-dimensional player. I see him as a centre, but if he had to move to the wing, he's smart enough and has good enough hands that he could do it. We're happy with getting a player of his calibre in that spot."

 

 

2ND ROUND, 50th OVERALL - YAN KUZNETSOV (U. OF CONNECTICUT, NCAA)

Defence
Born: March 21, 2002
Height 6.04 -- Weight 209 lbs. -- Shoots L

 

 

PLAYER PROFILE

• Youngest player in NCAA Division 1 hockey in 2019-20 where he recorded 11 points (2G, 9A) in 34 games at UCONN

 

• Skated for USHL Clark Cup champion Sioux City Stampede in 2018-19 (4A in 34 games)

• Helped Team Russia win gold at the 2018 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge where he was named a tournament All-Star

 

Scouting Report: Excellent defender who has quick feet. Closes gaps well. Great puck retrieval ability and reaction to the play. Makes very good exit passes from the defensive zone

 

Current Player Comparable: Seth Jones

 

Director of Amateur Scouting Tod Button's Take: "Really good defensive fundamentals. He has a chance to grow his game offensively, but he takes care of his (own) end first. He's guy who we think can play with more of a risk-taking offensive player in your middle pairing. If all goes well, maybe even higher."

 

General Manager Brad Treliving's Take: "He's a big, rangy, lengthy defender who moves the puck really well. ... He's a really good skater, good on his edges, is able to get back and retrieve pucks, break the puck out, he gaps well and takes away space. We think he's got a chance to be a really good player. The feet, the head and the competitive combination... Good value there."

 

 

 

3RD ROUND, 72nd OVERALL - JEREMIE POIRIER (SAINT JOHN, QMJHL)

Defence
Born: June 2, 2002
Height 6.00 -- Weight 196 lbs. -- Shoots L

 

 

PLAYER PROFILE

• Ranked first among QMJHL defensemen in goals and tied for second in points with 53 points (20G, 33A) in 64 games in 2019-20

 

• Helped Team Canada earn silver at the 2019 Hlinka Gretzky Cup with three points (1G, 2A) in five games

 

• Tied for most points by a defenseman at the 2018 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge with six points (3G, 3A) in five games for Canada White

 

• Models his style of play after former Sea Dogs skater and current Senators defenseman Thomas Chabot

 

Scouting Report: Highly skilled offensive defenseman with game-breaking ability. Looks to lead and join the rush with quick transitions. Creates offense for his team. Has a great shot and ability to find the right shooting lanes.

 

Current Player Comparable: P.K. Subban

 

Director of Amateur Scouting Tod Button's Take: "He was a 'faller,' as far as the draft goes, as far as lists go. Fred Parker, with 10, 12 picks out from 72, he said, 'Hey, if he's there, we have to take the risk. It's value at that point. Quebec scout Patrick Lachance said the same thing. We sat there, had a backup plan in case he was taken, and we had no questions about taking him at that point. He knows where has to go to do most of his work. His offensive game comes natural to him, and now he's got to go and do the rest. And that's his path to the NHL."

 

General Manager Brad Treliving's Take: "He's an elite offensive talent. Not only his production, which was - what, didn't he score 20 goals as a defenceman? But when you watch him play with the puck on his stick, he's absolutely dynamic.

 

He makes plays, he's got an NHL shot today, he's got great edges, he runs the powerplay. But, certainly, the area he's got to work on is in the defensive zone. His play away from the puck is an area that he's well aware of, and now it's up to him and it's up to us to improve those shortcomings. But, we felt that the ceiling with this player, in terms of his ability to produce offensively and be dynamic, we felt there was good value in that pick."

 

 

3RD ROUND, 80th OVERALL - JAKE BOLTMANN (EDINA, HIGH SCHOOL - MN)

Defence
Born: October 19, 2001
Height 6.01 -- Weight 188 lbs. -- Shoots R

 

 

PLAYER PROFILE

• Split the 2019-20 season between the Lincoln Stars of the USHL and Edina High School of the USHS-MN, where he collected 13 points (4G, 9A) in 25 games

 

Director of Amateur Scouting Tod Button's Take: "I saw him as an underage - as a 15-year-old - in Edina, and then I saw him this year in Lincoln at the USHL Showcase. Then, he went back to high school where our U.S. scouts Jimmy Cummins and Mike Craig picked him up. Mike has worked with Jake on and off the ice, so knows the kid well. Right shot, good skater - more of a move-the-puck and follow-the-play-up-the-ice type defenceman rather than a puck carrier, rusher. But a real solid, solid team guy and there's going to be a spot for him in the NHL if he continues his development."

 

 

4TH ROUND, 96th OVERALL - DANIIL CHECHELEV (CHEKHOV, MHL-RUSSIA-JR.)

Goaltender
Born: February 23, 2001
Height 6.02 -- Weight 183 lbs. -- Catches R

 

PLAYER PROFILE

• Appeared in 49 games and was one of the MHL's top goaltenders last year, posting a .922 save percentage, along with a 2.20 goals-against average

 

• In his first five games this year, he has a .953 save percentage and a 1.33 goals-against average

 

Director of Amateur Scouting Tod Button's Take: "We didn't have a lot of live viewings of him, but what we did get, we were able to turn over to our goalie department and they really hit the video hard on him. (Flames Goaltending Coach) Jordan Sigalet and (Stockton Heat Goaltending Coach) Thomas Speer, they spent a lot of time researching him, talking to goaltending coaches throughout North America and around Europe. Our old scout Luke Strand had drafted him in the USHL draft and he may have ended up there in Sioux City this year if not for COVID. At that point in the draft, we weren't sure what to do as far as, 'Where can we get this guy?' We didn't have a comfort level as far as, 'We can get him next round. We really like him and we're going to take him right here,' and we did."

 

Sigalet's Take: "Ultimately, you're watching for how well he reads the game, tracks the puck, and how strong he is on his feet. Skating, in particular, is so big in today's game because of how quick it is, so we want to make sure he's good on his edges. Beyond that: This kid never gives up on a puck. ... He checked a lot of the boxes for us. We're excited to have him and we can't wait to see what he can do."

 

 

5TH ROUND, 143rd OVERALL - RYAN FRANCIS (CAPE BRETON, QMJHL)

Right Wing
Born: December 2, 2001
Height 5.09 -- Weight 170 lbs. -- Shoots R

PLAYER PROFILE

• Had 72 points (24G, 48A) in 61 games with the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles of the QMJHL last year

 

Scouting Report: He is a playmaker first and foremost. He moves the puck around opponents by changing the angle of passes; he spins to use his backhand, hooks the puck through the skates of opponents, and shows poise in possession. On any given line, Francis connects plays between teammates. - Elite Prospects

 

Director of Amateur Scouting Tod Button's Take: "We've had a lot of success, we feel, in the later rounds the past few years with skill and vision and hockey sense, even if they're not big in stature. Ryan fit that bill. Smart guy, right shot, a lot of skill."

 

 

6TH ROUND, 174TH OVERALL - RORY KERINS (SAULT STE. MARIE, OHL)

Centre
Born: April 12, 2002
Height 5.10 -- Weight 175 lbs. -- Shoots L

 

 

PLAYER PROFILE

• Had 59 points (30G, 29A) in 64 games with the Soo Greyhounds of the OHL last year

Director of Amateur Scouting Tod Button's Take: "Same M.O. as Ryan Francis. They're both guys that are going to have to improve their skating, but they have things in place that you can't teach. We're really happy getting both those guys."

 

 

7TH ROUND, 205TH OVERALL - ILYA SOLOVYOV (SAGINAW, OHL)

Defence
Born: July 20, 2000
Height 6.02 -- Weight 208 lbs. -- Shoots L

 

 

PLAYER PROFILE

• Had 40 points (7G, 33A) in 53 games with the Saginaw Spirit of the OHL last year

• He is currently playing with the Dinamo Minsk of the KHL and has one assist in five games to kick off the 2020-21 campaign

 

Director of Amateur Scouting Tod Button's Take: "I think it's a good thing, actually, that he's playing in the KHL this year, because that's a league that's playing, and he needs to play. He's a tall, rangy defenceman with reach. He's a good puck-mover, he's good on the powerplay, he has a lot of poise on the blueline, he can move the puck across the blueline, dance across and find options - and at that point in the draft, we thought he was a really good value pick there as well."