Top Prospect Contenders: the Wrap-Up

Over the past week, we’ve dug into the seven players that have a credible claim to the title of the Calgary Flames’ current top prospect. Now that we’ve finished digging, let’s see how everybody stacks up.

Here’s how things seem to be, as of right now.

My main criteria here are potential ceiling, likelihood of making it, and runway left to get there.

Pelletier has a high ceiling and is super young. Valimaki has a high ceiling and is still fairly young. Pettersen has potentially a lower ceiling than Pelletier or Valimaki, but he’s 20 and has performed incredibly well thus far – he’s arguably the Flames prospect who’s done the most to elevate his standing in the last 12 months.

Wolf’s a big question mark – he’s a goalie! – but his potential is why he’s ranked where he is.

Phillips and Gawdin have arguably lower ceilings – they’re probably both bottom six NHLers – but because they’ve managed to produce at the AHL level I’m less iffy on them reaching their potential. Meanwhile, I’m a bit iffy on Zavgorodniy due to his size and the Lafreniere Factor – until he’s shown the ability to drive offense on his own consistently, he’s the member of this impressive seven that I’m the coolest on.

Who’s too high? Too low? Sound off in the comments!