FlamesNation prospect update: (almost) playoff season
By Ryan Pike
3 years agoLife in 2020/21 is weird, folks. Not only is there a worldwide pandemic – hope everyone is staying safe – but said pandemic has caused a lot of weird stuff to happen for hockey schedules. The OHL hasn’t played at all. The WHL is just getting started. The QMJHL is almost ready for their playoffs. It’s a weird, weird time to be alive.
Let’s check in on all the Flames’ prospects!
In case you missed it:
- Last week’s update
- Done for the season are Jake Boltmann (NCAA), Daniil Chechelev (MHL), Lucas Feuk (HockeyEttan), Demetrios Koumontzis (NCAA), Mitchell Mattson (NCAA), Josh Nodler (NCAA) and Filip Sveningsson (HockeyAllsvenskan)
- Tyler Parsons and Yan Kuznetsov are quarantining so they can join Stockton
- Ilya Solovyov has signed his entry level deal and is waiting on a visa so he can join Stockton (after quarantine)
Lucas Feuk- LW, AIK, Allsvenskan/J20 Nationell / Kalix HC, HockeyEttan
| GP | G | A | P | 5v5 P | P1 | 5v5 P1 | NHLe | |
| Allsvenskan up to date | 14 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2.33 |
| Change from last week | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | n/a |
| HockeyEttan up to date | 18 | 12 | 6 | 18 | 13 | 17 | 13 | n/a |
| Change from last week | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | n/a |
| J20 up to date | 8 | 2 | 8 | 10 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 19.78 |
| Change from last week | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | n/a |
Feuk’s draft+1 season is over, as Kalix HC were steamrolled by Bodens HF in the playoffs. (They lost by scores of 7-0 and 9-0.)
Ryan Francis- C, Cape Breton Eagles/Saint John Sea Dogs, QMJHL
| GP | G | A | P | 5v5 P | P1 | 5v5 P1 | NHLe | |
| Up to date | 27 | 12 | 27 | 39 | 24 | 29 | 18 | 33.64 |
| Change from last week | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | -1.29 |
Francis had a very Ryan Francis week. In two games, he had zero points. In the other game, he had three. Despite this offensive inconsistency, he’s one of the Q’s top producers. (Imagine if he could do it every game instead of in fits and starts.)
Glenn Gawdin- C, Stockton Heat, AHL / EHC Visp, Swiss League
| GP | G | A | P | 5v5 P | P1 | 5v5 P1 | NHLe | |
| AHL up to date | 18 | 2 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 5 | 4 | 22.14 |
| Change from last week | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -6.33 |
| Swiss League up to date | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | n/a |
| Change from last week | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | n/a |
Gawdin had a challenging week offensively, but he played a ton and got chances.
Rory Kerins- C, Stockton Heat, AHL / Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, OHL
| GP | G | A | P | 5v5 P | P1 | 5v5 P1 | NHLe | |
| Up to date | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Change from last week | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | n/a |
Kerins didn’t dress this past week. The OHL season remains delayed, so Kerins may end up staying with Stockton indefinitely.
Johannes Kinnvall- D, HV71, SHL
| GP | G | A | P | 5v5 P | P1 | 5v5 P1 | NHLe | |
| Up to date | 32 | 7 | 15 | 22 | 8 | 12 | 5 | 33.60 |
| Change from last week | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | n/a |
Kinnvall didn’t dress in HV71’s final game of the regular season and he also didn’t dress in their first play-out game against Brynas IF. Reportedly, he was experiencing issues with his previously-injured foot, but HV71 could just be being cautious.
Justin Kirkland- LW, Stockton Heat, AHL
| GP | G | A | P | 5v5 P | P1 | 5v5 P1 | NHLe | |
| Up to date | 16 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 17.44 |
| Change from last week | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | n/a |
Kirkland missed this week’s games due to injury.
Carl-Johan Lerby- D, Stockton Heat, AHL
| GP | G | A | P | 5v5 P | P1 | 5v5 P1 | NHLe | |
| Up to date | 19 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 14.68 |
| Change from last week | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | -0.26 |
Lerby got an assist and was scratched for the most recent Heat game. It seems like the Heat staff is trying to rotate their defensemen through, for the most part.
Connor Mackey- D, Stockton Heat, AHL
| GP | G | A | P | 5v5 P | P1 | 5v5 P1 | NHLe | |
| Up to date | 22 | 3 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 8 | 8 | 25.36 |
| Change from last week | 4 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | +1.01 |
Mackey has seemingly found his stride offensively for the Heat. He continues to rack up points and find ways to stand out for the club.
Ilya Nikolayev- C, Buran Voronezh, VHL / Loko Yaroslavl, MHL
| GP | G | A | P | 5v5 P | P1 | 5v5 P1 | NHLe | |
| VHL up to date | 37 | 7 | 6 | 13 | 5 | 12 | 5 | 11.27 |
| Change from last week | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | n/a |
| MHL up to date | 21 | 8 | 10 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 18.27 |
| Change from last week | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | n/a |
Loko has advanced to the MHL’s semi-final round, where they have a 2-0 series lead. Nikolayev didn’t dress for Game 2 and it’s unclear if he was scratched injured. He dressed for Wednesday’s game on the fourth line.
Jakob Pelletier- LW, Val-d’Or Foreurs, QMJHL / Team Canada, WJC
| GP | G | A | P | 5v5 P | P1 | 5v5 P1 | NHLe | |
| Up to date | 28 | 13 | 30 | 43 | 26 | 29 | 20 | 35.75 |
| Change from last week | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | -0.08 |
Pelletier finished off his regular season junior career this week. Val-d’Or’s going to be idle for a little while, as they have earned a bye in the first round of the QMJHL’s playoffs… and the QMJHL’s playoffs have been delayed for a couple weeks due to COVID-19 issues.
Emilio Pettersen- LW, Stockton Heat, AHL
| GP | G | A | P | 5v5 P | P1 | 5v5 P1 | NHLe | |
| Up to date | 21 | 5 | 6 | 11 | 7 | 8 | 5 | 20.87 |
| Change from last week | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | -2.57 |
Pettersen had a goal this week but, like some of Stockton’s other top offensive weapons, he was relatively quiet otherwise.
Matthew Phillips- C/RW, Stockton Heat, AHL
| GP | G | A | P | 5v5 P | P1 | 5v5 P1 | NHLe | |
| Up to date | 22 | 6 | 10 | 16 | 10 | 12 | 8 | 28.98 |
| Change from last week | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -6.44 |
Phillips was quiet offensively this week, but he was buzzing around the offensive zone like he usually does.
Luke Philp- C/RW, Stockton Heat, AHL
| GP | G | A | P | 5v5 P | P1 | 5v5 P1 | NHLe | |
| Up to date | 22 | 8 | 8 | 16 | 10 | 12 | 8 | 28.98 |
| Change from last week | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | -4.23 |
Philp had a goal against Toronto, but otherwise was held off the scoresheet all week.
Jeremie Poirier- D, Saint John Sea Dogs, QMJHL
| GP | G | A | P | 5v5 P | P1 | 5v5 P1 | NHLe | |
| Up to date | 27 | 9 | 23 | 32 | 19 | 25 | 13 | 27.60 |
| Change from last week | 3 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 2 | +1.40 |
Poirier had points in every single game that Saint John played this week. And all of his points were primary points, an indication that he’s feeling it offensively and playing with some confidence.
Colton Poolman- D, Stockton Heat, AHL
| GP | G | A | P | 5v5 P | P1 | 5v5 P1 | NHLe | |
| Up to date | 13 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 12.16 |
| Change from last week | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +2.20 |
Poolman missed the first three games this week due to injury, but returned for their final against Laval. They got the win (and he registered an assist on an empty net goal).
Martin Pospisil- LW, Stockton Heat, AHL / HC Kosice, Tipsport Liga
| GP | G | A | P | 5v5 P | P1 | 5v5 P1 | NHLe | |
| AHL up to date | 14 | 5 | 6 | 11 | 4 | 8 | 3 | 31.31 |
| Change from last week | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | n/a |
| Liga up to date | 22 | 9 | 8 | 17 | 9 | 13 | 8 | n/a |
| Change from last week | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | n/a |
Pospisil will miss the rest of the season due to shoulder surgery. (And an unrelated knee injury.)
Adam Ruzicka- C, Stockton Heat, AHL
| GP | G | A | P | 5v5 P | P1 | 5v5 P1 | NHLe | |
| Up to date | 22 | 10 | 9 | 19 | 12 | 16 | 11 | 34.42 |
| Change from last week | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | +3.22 |
Ruzicka had two goals this week, including a big one in Tuesday’s win over Laval. He was even name-dropped by Elliotte Friedman in 31 Thoughts as a player the Flames may bring up. He’s arguably the club’s most NHL ready prospect who hasn’t played a second in the NHL, aside from perhaps Matthew Phillips.
Eetu Tuulola- RW, Stockton Heat, AHL / Vasterviks IK, HockeyAllsvenskan / SaiPa, SM-Liiga
| GP | G | A | P | 5v5 P | P1 | 5v5 P1 | NHLe | |
| AHL up to date | 21 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 9.06 |
| Change from last week | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | -0.32 |
| Allsvenskan up to date | 11 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 8.88 |
| Change from last week | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | n/a |
| Liiga up to date | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Change from last week | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | n/a |
Tuulola scored an empty net goal this week.
Alexander Yelesin- D, Stockton Heat, AHL
| GP | G | A | P | 5v5 P | P1 | 5v5 P1 | NHLe | |
| Up to date | 21 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 9.49 |
| Change from last week | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | +0.11 |
Yelesin had just one assist this week. It’s worth noting that all of his scoring has been five-on-five.
Connor Zary- LW, Stockton Heat, AHL / Kamloops Blazers, WHL / Team Canada, WJC
| GP | G | A | P | 5v5 P | P1 | 5v5 P1 | NHLe | |
| AHL up to date | 9 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 31.00 |
| Change from last week | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | n/a |
| WHL up to date | 5 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 4 | 6 | 3 | 34.67 |
| Change from last week | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | -14.86 |
Zary had points in two of three games this week. In the third game, he had zero points but almost scored using “the Michigan.”
Dmitry Zavgorodniy- RW, Stockton Heat, AHL / SKA St. Petersburg, KHL
| GP | G | A | P | 5v5 P | P1 | 5v5 P1 | NHLe | |
| AHL up to date | 21 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1.90 |
| Change from last week | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | +1.90 |
| KHL up to date | 6 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 32.88 |
| Change from last week | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | n/a |
Our long national nightmare is over, as Zavgorodniy finally has his first AHL point. It’s not like he wasn’t getting chances before, but Adam Ruzicka buried a feed from him on Tuesday to break the goose egg.
Dustin Wolf- G, Stockton Heat, AHL / Everett Silvertips, WHL / Team USA, WJC
| GP | TOI | SV% | |
| AHL up to date | 3 | 148 | 0.895 |
| Change from last week | – | – | – |
| WHL up to date | 8 | 484 | 0.961 |
| Change from last week | 4 | 240 | -0.030 |
Wolf got LIT UP (by his standards) this week, allowing eight goals over four games. He had given up one in his previous four games, which was clearly unsustainable. He’s still rocking a 1.12 goals against average and has played the majority of Everett’s games. Despite his numbers going from insanely good to merely very impressive, he’s arguably junior hockey’s best goalie. In all of Canada. Again.
Oh, and he got a primary assist on an empty net goal on Tuesday night. Watch out Mike Smith!
Artyom Zagidulin- G, Stockton Heat, AHL / Metallurg Magnitigorsk, KHL
| GP | TOI | SV% | |
| AHL up to date | 6 | 357 | 0.911 |
| Change from last week | 1 | 59 | -0.001 |
| KHL up to date | 5 | 226 | 0.869 |
| Change from last week | – | – | – |
Zagidulin allow two goals in his lone start this week. He’s been a decent if unspectacular AHL netminder for Stockton, and thus far has really improved his save percentage over last year’s .898.
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