The Calgary Flames’ prospects hosted the Edmonton Oilers’ prospects at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Monday night in the NextGen Showcase. The Oilers won by a 6-1 score, but the Flames played decently for big chunks of the game.

Here are our assessments of each player who suited up for the Flames against the Oilers on Monday.

It’s September. A lot of these guys hadn’t played an organized game since the early spring, and this was the first time this combination of guys played a competitive game together. The ice also seemed a bit sticky – a few passes seemed to be a bit short for each team – and the boards and stanchions seemed to be a bit more active than many seemed accustomed to.

In other words: this was a pre-pre-season game, so we don’t judge anybody too harshly.

Sergeev started the game, playing the first period and the first 11:27 of the second period. He faced 16 shots and allowed two goals. The first goal was a really nice shot by Quinn Hutson on an Edmonton power play. The second goal was an ankle-high floater that fooled him. He also took a minor penalty early in the game after a dump-in hit a seam in the boards and took an odd bounce, and Sergeev inadvertently played the puck in the trapezoid.

Zarubin played the final 8:33 of the second period and all of the third, aside from a brief spell where he was pulled for an extra attacker. He faced 15 shot and allowed three goals. The goals he allowed were a bad bounce off a rebound that was chipped past him, a power play redirect that he had no chance on, and a nice shot that he seemed to lose his net on a bit.

Ultimately, in a tough environment to judge goalies, both were just fine.

Castagna centred a line with Andrew Basha and Chase Harrington, and they got better as the game wore on. Castagana set up a few nice scoring chances in the second period, and he had a good scoring chance shorthanded in the third period. He really displayed some nice skating which allowed him to join existing rushes and also zip back to help his defenders.

Gross centred a line with Matvei Gridin and Aydar Suniev, and they were probably Calgary’s best line. Gross might not have the offensive pizzazz that his linemates do, but he did a really nice job being the connector between his wingers and the defence, and back-checked effectively. He made a smart read in the third period as a penalty ended, timing his rush so that Chase Harrington, leaving the penalty box, could join to create a three-on-two.

Basha played wing on a line with Castagna and Chase Harrington. Basha was all over this game, and consistently noticeable for reasons good and bad. He took a penalty in the first period which resulted in a power play goal. But he was also constantly trying stuff with the puck, and his line did a lot of really effective things once they got their forecheck going in the second period. Basha was a bit like a firehose in this game, and we’re hopeful he could become really effective if his efforts could be a little more focused.

Of all the recent draftees for the Flames, Harrington might have showed the best, playing on a line with Basha and Castagna. He forechecked well and helped generate several good offensive looks. He did take a penalty, though.

Wiebe played on a pairing with Kent Anderson, and they were probably Calgary’s best defensive duo. They kept things simple, and Wiebe did a nice job moving the puck up the ice. He took a penalty in the third period, though, and was in the box when Edmonton scored their fourth goal.

Man, Boulton was a tornado out there, hitting everything in sight in the first half of the game. He was in a fourth line rotation with Will Dineen, Carter Wilkie and Brett Olson, and they did a pretty good job mucking around and creating some havoc. He took a penalty, though.

Dineen was part of the fourth line mix with Boulton, Wilkie and Olosn. He wasn’t as noticeable as Boulton but he didn’t do anything to stand out negatively.

Playing on a pairing primarily with Mace’o Phillips, Laylin was quietly quite good. He wasn’t overly flashy, but he moved the puck pretty efficiently and didn’t make many mistakes. For an 18-year-old, it was a good outing.

Playing on the top line with Gross and Gridin, Suniev scored the game’s lone goal – off a really nice individual effort – and generally was one of the Flames’ better players. He skated well, he generated a lot, and he was rewarded.

Playing with Laylin, Phillips was pretty solid. He threw some big hits early and fought Edmonton’s Weston Cameron. He’s still figuring things out a bit in terms of the pace in his own zone, but he was pretty solid all things considered.

Playing on a line with Joe Iginla and Riley Boychuk, two 18-year-olds, Katolicky was fairly quiet, as was the entire line. They had a couple nice shifts late in the game, though.

Playing with Wiebe, Anderson seemed to fight the puck a bit at times, but he played a pretty steady game overall.

Hurtig played on a pairing with Jakob Leander. He was pretty solid overall, but at times seemed to be on his heels a bit when the Oilers forechecked – he might need to get used to the pro pace.

Boychuk centred a line with Joe Iginla and Katolicky, and they were quiet overall until a few flurries in the third period.

On a pair with Hurtig, Leander was generally fairly quiet, though his pair was hemmed into their own end a few times.

Olson was part of the fourth line rotation, along with Boulton, Dineen and Wilkie, and had a few decent forecheck shifts.

Playing with Katolicky and Boychuk, Iginla was a bit quiet for the first two periods and then had a few good looks late.

Gridin’s line with Gross and Suniev generated quite a bit but couldn’t bury most of their chances. He generated a few nice chances on his own through some patience and puck protection off the rush.

Walker wasn’t all that noticeable overall, which isn’t bad for a seventh defender. He made one odd play in the third period when he threw the puck behind the net for a defensive partner that hadn’t arrived in that area yet, but aside from that he was fine.

Wilkie was part of that fourth line mix with Boulton, Olson and Dineen that had some nice moments on the forecheck.

THE OFFSEASON SOCIAL CLUB HAS ARRIVED! The new era of Nation Gear starts here. Introducing the Nation Gear x Levelwear Offseason Social Club Collection — a limited edition collection built for the fans who know the sports lifestyle doesn’t stop. Designed for golf rounds, patio hangs, weekend trips, and every plan in between, this collection blends premium performance with everyday leisure. It’s versatile enough to dress up, comfortable enough to live in, and made for wherever the offseason takes you. Because being a sports fan isn’t a season — it’s a personality. Welcome to the club. Shop the Offseason Social Club now. nationgear.ca