 Photo: Joni Ortio is currently playing for the Abbotsford Heat (AHL) where he is the backup to starter Leland Irving. (Photo courtesy of Ken McKenna/HF)The Calgary Flames may be under the guidance of General Manager Jay Feaster, but there is still a powerful Sutter influence on the prospect pool. Although lacking in top end talent, the Calgary Flames can at least boast that their depth chart is full of players showing strong character, as well as promising two-way ability, in particular amongst the forward positions. Still even more heartening is the recent impact of some of the young players on the big club early in the season, notably T.J. Brodie, Paul Byron, and Roman Horak.
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 Photo: Although he didn't make the NHL roster, Sven Baertschi was extremely impressive in training camp for Calgary. (Photo courtesy of Ken McKenna/HF) Read more»
Top 10 Prospects
1. Greg Nemisz, RW
2. Mitch Wahl, C
3. T.J. Brodie, D
4. Ryan Howse, LW
5. John Negrin, D
6. Matt Pelech, D
7. Bryan Cameron, C
8. Keith Seabrook, D
9. Leland Irving, G
10. Logan MacMillan, LW
Team Needs
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How the trades broke down on the first and second day as follows.
First Trade
To Calgary: C Rob Niedermayer and the 56th overall pick in the 2nd round (G) Andrei Medvedev
To: Florida: RW Valeri Bure and C/LW Jason Wiemer
Second Trade
To Calgary: G Roman Turek and the 124th overall pick in the fourth round (LW) Egor Shastin
To: St.Louis: G Freddy Braithwaite, C Daniel Tkaczuk, LW Sergei Varlamov, and the 270th overall pick in the 9th round (C) Grant Jacobsen.
Third Trade
To Calgary: Dean McAmmond
To Philadelphia: Calgary’s 4th round pick in 2002 Entry Draft.
Three trades at the draft completely reshaped the Flames into a defensive unit with a couple of two-way players whom could solve their desperate penalty killing units. Overall both trades on the first day established two things for the Flames next season a reliable and legitimate number one goaltender who can play 65-70 games a year and a two-way second line center with size and speed.
So what in reality did Calgary actually give up well now the two forwards leaving cow town both take with them some baggage but each were skilled in their own right. The diminutive Val Bure is an exceptionally talented scoring winger whom could dazzle you with his flash and dash but had difficulty bying into a team concept if it did not fit his own purpose. There is no reason if he is healthy and happy that he cannot put up 60-70 points a year and is a complete menace on the power play. Bruising forward Jason Wiemer has little offensive upside with averaging only 10 goals ove Read more»
Day two saw the Flames still thinking BIG, three of their six picks on Sunday were a massive 6’2″, 6’3″, and 6’4″. “I had a plan. I wanted us to get bigger” says Mckenzie. And did they ever. Think back to the glory days in Calgary, size does matter. Mckenzie also stole another gem of a netminder in Levente Szuper of the Ottawa 67′s, taking Ottawa to the memorial cup in 99.
116th overall , Calgary selected Ottawa 67′s netminder Levente Szuper. This 5’11″ 20 year old has sensational speed, and is excellent on his feet. At 187 lbs Szuper has tremendous endurance, logging over 50 games last season. His 2.56 GAA gave him 3rd overall in the OHL , also boasting a .918 save percentage tying him for the league lead. With Szuper playing two full seasons with Ottawa we’ll most likely see him in Saint John playing for the baby Flames next season.
In the fifth round Calgary added to their list of WHL prospects choosing Wade Davis of the Calgary Hitmen, and Travis Moen of the Kelowna Rockets. Davis is a solid defensive defenseman recording 3g-15a and an impressive +32 rating last season for the Hitmen. Central Scouting ranked Davis 51st before saturdays draft. At only 18 this 6’4″ giant has some time to progress and develop into a major force on the blueline.
Travis Moen was selected 155th overall, Calgary’s fourth WHL prospect. Playing for the Kelowna Rockets last season Moen tallied 9g-6a in 66 games. At 6’2″ and 198lbs Moen loves the physical play. Look for Moen to continue developing with the Rockets squad next season.
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