<p>Cullen Potter is an interesting prospect who took a unique path. He started his collegiate career with Arizona State a year early, playing for the Sun Devils at just 17 years old. Outside of potential top-five pick James Hagens, Potter is the only NCAA product firmly projected to go in the first round.</p>
<div class="bam-inline-promotion-block" data-max-length="2" data-placement-id="2109" data-context="web-content-promocard" data-property-id="328"></div>
<p>Given that they&#8217;re somewhat of a rare commodity, the Calgary Flames haven&#8217;t drafted a player out of college since they selected Yan Kuznetzov in the second round of the 2020 NHL Draft.</p>
<h2>Scouting report</h2>
<p>Potter hails from one of the &#8216;hockey hotbeds&#8217; south of the border in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He&#8217;s a 5&#8217;10&#8221;, 170-pound left-shot centreman.</p>
<p>Short enough to fly a little under the radar before this year, Potter proved that his game translates against bigger, stronger competition during his freshman collegiate stint.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/2025-nhl-draft-rankings-final-top-120-steven-ellis-schaefer-misa-obrien-martin-frondell-desnoyers-hagens-martone">Daily Faceoff&#8217;s Steven Ellis</a> had Potter at 17 in his final draft rankings and gave this report:</p>
<blockquote><p>&#8220;Potter made the big decision to go to college early, and it paid off. He played around 20 minutes a night at ASU, and scouts were impressed with his play-driving abilities. He’s 5-foot-9, but his pure skill and ability to make things happen with the puck should keep him high in the draft conversation. Overall, I like his commitment to playing in all three zones, and he anticipates plays and gets himself where he needs to be better than most of the draft class. I think the ceiling is higher for Potter than many others around this part of the draft, but he needs to show he can handle the physical challenge. Fast-tracking to play at ASU early was an absolute genius move for his development and helped him push up draft boards.&#8221;</p></blockquote>
<p><a href="https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/scouts-analysis-ranking-the-top-80-prospects-for-the-2025-nhl-draft/">Jason Bukala of Sportsnet</a> ranked Potter at 24 in his latest draft rankings, he gave this synopsis:</p>
<blockquote><p>&#8220;Potter is an undersized forward who’s very explosive in open ice leading the rush. He’s not tall but he’s very strong for his stature. In my opinion he leans shooter more than distributor, but he sees the ice and is definitely a playmaker. Cullen averaged 20 minutes of ice time at the college level. Nearly all of his shifts came at even strength and on the power play. His transition pace pushes opponents back off their blue line and leads to clean zone entries and potential scoring chances. Cullen produced 13G-9A in 35 games at Arizona State.&#8221;</p></blockquote>
<p><a href="https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/sportsnets-2025-nhl-draft-rankings-may-edition/">Sportsnets Sam Cosentino</a> placed Potter at 25 in his May draft rankings, he had this to say on his game:</p>
<blockquote><p>&#8220;Projects to go in an area of Round 1 when teams will be looking for one major standout element to a player’s game. Potter&#8217;s skating is that element. He floats around the ice backing off defenders, but also shows the ability to change pace by edging laterally quickly. Combined with his handles, he does project to have at least secondary offence once he arrives in the NHL.&#8221;</p></blockquote>
<p>Concerns surrounding Potter&#8217;s small frame beg the question of whether or not he&#8217;ll be able to play down the middle at the NHL level. He wasn&#8217;t particularly efficient at the dot either, which adds to the speculation that he may be better suited to play the wing.</p>
<p>To his credit, he logged 20 minutes per game for Arizona State, drawing tough assignments night in and night out, leaving hope that he eventually can fill out a centre role in the big leagues.</p>
<p>But it wasn&#8217;t his defensive game that turned heads this season, it was his filthy hands and deadly accurate shot.</p>
<p>Watch as Potter undresses a defender before rifling one home.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">who&#8217;s a better wizard, Cullen Potter, or his distant cousin Harry? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/2025NHLDraft?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#2025NHLDraft</a> <a href="https://t.co/47K9b4F5o2">pic.twitter.com/47K9b4F5o2</a></p>
<p>— Taahaa (@TaahaaLone) <a href="https://twitter.com/TaahaaLone/status/1913412971222466961?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 19, 2025</a></p></blockquote>
<h2>The numbers</h2>
<p>Potter played the 2023-24 season as a member of the U.S. National Development Team and posted solid numbers, nine goals and 13 assists in 35 games.</p>
<p>What is really impressive is that he replicated that production against much better competition this past season. Potter netted 13 goals and nine assists for 22 points in his most recent 35 games in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC), a Division I league in the states.</p>
<p>Though the numbers aren&#8217;t gaudy, 13 goals in a league of the NCHC&#8217;s calibre is no small feat, especially considering Potter entered at age 17.</p>
<p>Potter also participated in the 2025 U18 Men&#8217;s World Championship and registered eight points (4G, 4A) in seven games, helping Team USA claim a bronze medal.</p>
<h2>Availability and fit</h2>
<p>Potter is worth the Flames&#8217; <a href="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/2025/05/01/the-flames-will-draft-at-18th-overall-in-the-2025-nhl-draft-with-new-jerseys-pick/">18th overall selection</a> even if there are safer prospects available at that spot. Most experts have the Minnesota native going in the middle of the first round, but he does carry some risk on account of his relatively smaller stature, which could dictate a slide into the mid-20s.</p>
<p>Calgary would be wise to forego drafting for need if they do believe Potter is better suited as a winger than a centreman, considering this prospect&#8217;s remarkable scoring touch, an asset they could certainly use more of.</p>
<p>The crafty winger is a better fit for the Flames if he can play centre in the NHL, but even if he can&#8217;t, his offensive repertoire is enough reason to select him, especially when you consider that Calgary finished near the bottom of the league in goals last season.</p>
<p><a href="https://flamesnation.ca/news/craig-conroy-isnt-sure-how-the-first-round-of-the-2025-nhl-draft-will-unfold">Conroy has stated</a> that he won&#8217;t necessarily draft for need and instead simply take the best player available, there&#8217;s a chance that at 18 they believe it&#8217;s Potter.</p>
<p><strong>Sponsored by bet365:</strong></p>
<div class="bam-inline-promotion" data-property-id="328" data-promotion-id="19111" data-context="web-content-promocard"></div>


Cullen Potter is an interesting prospect who took a unique path. He started his collegiate career with Arizona State a year early, playing for the Sun Devils at just 17 years old. Outside of potential top-five pick James Hagens, Potter is the only NCAA product firmly projected to go in the first round.
<div class="bam-inline-promotion-block" data-max-length="2" data-placement-id="2109" data-context="web-content-promocard" data-property-id="328"></div>
Given that they're somewhat of a rare commodity, the Calgary Flames haven't drafted a player out of college since they selected Yan Kuznetzov in the second round of the 2020 NHL Draft.
<h2>Scouting report</h2>
Potter hails from one of the 'hockey hotbeds' south of the border in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He's a 5'10", 170-pound left-shot centreman.

Short enough to fly a little under the radar before this year, Potter proved that his game translates against bigger, stronger competition during his freshman collegiate stint.

<a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/2025-nhl-draft-rankings-final-top-120-steven-ellis-schaefer-misa-obrien-martin-frondell-desnoyers-hagens-martone">Daily Faceoff's Steven Ellis</a> had Potter at 17 in his final draft rankings and gave this report:
<blockquote>"Potter made the big decision to go to college early, and it paid off. He played around 20 minutes a night at ASU, and scouts were impressed with his play-driving abilities. He’s 5-foot-9, but his pure skill and ability to make things happen with the puck should keep him high in the draft conversation. Overall, I like his commitment to playing in all three zones, and he anticipates plays and gets himself where he needs to be better than most of the draft class. I think the ceiling is higher for Potter than many others around this part of the draft, but he needs to show he can handle the physical challenge. Fast-tracking to play at ASU early was an absolute genius move for his development and helped him push up draft boards."</blockquote>
<a href="https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/scouts-analysis-ranking-the-top-80-prospects-for-the-2025-nhl-draft/">Jason Bukala of Sportsnet</a> ranked Potter at 24 in his latest draft rankings, he gave this synopsis:
<blockquote>"Potter is an undersized forward who’s very explosive in open ice leading the rush. He’s not tall but he’s very strong for his stature. In my opinion he leans shooter more than distributor, but he sees the ice and is definitely a playmaker. Cullen averaged 20 minutes of ice time at the college level. Nearly all of his shifts came at even strength and on the power play. His transition pace pushes opponents back off their blue line and leads to clean zone entries and potential scoring chances. Cullen produced 13G-9A in 35 games at Arizona State."</blockquote>
<a href="https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/sportsnets-2025-nhl-draft-rankings-may-edition/">Sportsnets Sam Cosentino</a> placed Potter at 25 in his May draft rankings, he had this to say on his game:
<blockquote>"Projects to go in an area of Round 1 when teams will be looking for one major standout element to a player’s game. Potter's skating is that element. He floats around the ice backing off defenders, but also shows the ability to change pace by edging laterally quickly. Combined with his handles, he does project to have at least secondary offence once he arrives in the NHL."</blockquote>
Concerns surrounding Potter's small frame beg the question of whether or not he'll be able to play down the middle at the NHL level. He wasn't particularly efficient at the dot either, which adds to the speculation that he may be better suited to play the wing.

To his credit, he logged 20 minutes per game for Arizona State, drawing tough assignments night in and night out, leaving hope that he eventually can fill out a centre role in the big leagues.

But it wasn't his defensive game that turned heads this season, it was his filthy hands and deadly accurate shot.

Watch as Potter undresses a defender before rifling one home.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">who's a better wizard, Cullen Potter, or his distant cousin Harry? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/2025NHLDraft?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#2025NHLDraft</a> <a href="https://t.co/47K9b4F5o2">pic.twitter.com/47K9b4F5o2</a></p>
— Taahaa (@TaahaaLone) <a href="https://twitter.com/TaahaaLone/status/1913412971222466961?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 19, 2025</a></blockquote>
<h2>The numbers</h2>
Potter played the 2023-24 season as a member of the U.S. National Development Team and posted solid numbers, nine goals and 13 assists in 35 games.

What is really impressive is that he replicated that production against much better competition this past season. Potter netted 13 goals and nine assists for 22 points in his most recent 35 games in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC), a Division I league in the states.

Though the numbers aren't gaudy, 13 goals in a league of the NCHC's calibre is no small feat, especially considering Potter entered at age 17.

Potter also participated in the 2025 U18 Men's World Championship and registered eight points (4G, 4A) in seven games, helping Team USA claim a bronze medal.
<h2>Availability and fit</h2>
Potter is worth the Flames' <a href="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/2025/05/01/the-flames-will-draft-at-18th-overall-in-the-2025-nhl-draft-with-new-jerseys-pick/">18th overall selection</a> even if there are safer prospects available at that spot. Most experts have the Minnesota native going in the middle of the first round, but he does carry some risk on account of his relatively smaller stature, which could dictate a slide into the mid-20s.

Calgary would be wise to forego drafting for need if they do believe Potter is better suited as a winger than a centreman, considering this prospect's remarkable scoring touch, an asset they could certainly use more of.

The crafty winger is a better fit for the Flames if he can play centre in the NHL, but even if he can't, his offensive repertoire is enough reason to select him, especially when you consider that Calgary finished near the bottom of the league in goals last season.

<a href="https://flamesnation.ca/news/craig-conroy-isnt-sure-how-the-first-round-of-the-2025-nhl-draft-will-unfold">Conroy has stated</a> that he won't necessarily draft for need and instead simply take the best player available, there's a chance that at 18 they believe it's Potter.

<strong>Sponsored by bet365:</strong>
<div class="bam-inline-promotion" data-property-id="328" data-promotion-id="19111" data-context="web-content-promocard"></div>

Cullen Potter is one of the craftiest players in the 2025 NHL Draft class

Recent articles from Liam Mabley

Breaking News