Is 2024 draft prospect Cole Beaudoin a fit for the Calgary Flames prospect pool?
20 days ago
The Calgary Flames could use a grind-it-out centre.
In the 2024 draft, the Flames will have four picks in the first two rounds, and recently, we’ve been looking at some prospects who could be picked late in the first round or early in the second round.
The team will pick with the Vancouver Canucks’ first-round pick at 28th, as well as their own second-round pick at 41st in the draft. Let’s look at Cole Beaudoin, who could be available at either of those spots.
Cole Beaudoin scouting report and profile
Left-shot centre, born April 24, 2006, in Ottawa, Ontario, 6’2”, 209 lbs
Playing for the mediocre Barrie Colts in the Ontario Hockey League, the sizable centre scored a career-best 28 goals and 62 points in 67 games, along with two goals and five points in six postseason games. He blew his previous career-best of eight goals and 20 points in 63 games out of the water.
This, in turn, has risen his stock quite a bit to where he could be available either late in the first round or early in the second round. The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler ranked him as his 39th best prospect, while Steven Ellis of Daily Faceoff ranked him 32nd. His lowest ranking came from Recruit Scouting’s Gabriel Foley, who ranked the 18-year-old as the 78th best draft prospect.
Moreover, Sportsnet’s Jason Bukala ranked Beaudoin as his 36th-best draft prospect, while Elite Prospects’ 29th ranking was his highest. He’s also ranked 30th in their consolidated rankings.
The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler points out that Beaudoin is strong, like very strong, and has a good work ethic. Beaudoin has solid skill and makes good decisions on the ice, but isn’t the quickest skater on the ice, needing to work on it as he turns professional. Beaudoin is a great forechecker and is defensively responsible, while using his size to protect the puck.
Steven Ellis of Daily Faceoff noted that he was great for Team Canada’s u18 bottom-six, looking like a “great scoring threat”. Beaudoin’s play throughout the Ontario Hockey League season was described as strong, and Ellis points out that he’s a “multi-facted scoring threat with size and a nice shot”
Sportsnet’s Jason Bukala, who also ranked Beaudoin in the 30s, points to his “power body” and when he gets to his top speed, he can use it to attack the net while using his size. He’s hard to defend against in and around the crease and is more of a finisher than a playmaker. Bukala also points out that he’s a solid penalty killer, but could end up on the wing.
Beaudoin’s lowest ranking is from Recruit Scouting’s Gabriel Foley, who ranked him as his 78th-best draft prospect. Foley noted he’s an effective winger who hits hard and battles on the boards, but is a slow skater. It’s also noted in this report that he has a good shot and good hands, but doesn’t do a great job of creating chances.
According to his report from the EliteProspects 2024 NHL Draft Guide, Beaudoin is a menace on the boards and wins nearly every battle. The 18-year-old is great in the paint and looks for tips and tap ins, a great name for a band. Beaudoin is a good hitter and responsible defensively.
Beaudoin’s profile screams “middle six forward” who can play on the wing to help a playmaking centre, as well as fit the role of a defensively responsible third line centre. Picking him with the 41st overall pick wouldn’t be too bad!
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