You can follow Todd on Twitter @ToddCordell!
Yesterday I wrote a piece
ranking the Flames top-5 forward prospects. They have several high end prospects there and there were plenty of players omitted who would've crack most other teams top-5. That speaks volumes to how much better the Flames system has gotten over the past couple years.
Anyways, in this post I'll be looking at the Flames top-5 defence prospects which certainly isn't anywhere close to as encouraging as the forward crop is.
Here are my rankings for the top-5 defence prospects in the Flames system.
Note: upside is not my projection for the player, but rather what he could turn into if said player reaches his full potential.
1. Tyler Wotherspoon (57th overall in 2011)
Wotherspoon is a smooth skating defensive defenseman who can eat a ton of minutes. He won't win games by himself or get fans out of their seats, but he's the kind of guy every team needs. His compete level is very high, he'll block shots and do whatever it takes to win. He's positionally sound and is very reliable, especially on the penalty kill. He's not an offensive dynamo, but he does have some tools and can chip in here and there.
Upside: Top-4 defensive defenseman
2. Mark Cundari (Undrafted)
Despite his size, Cundari is a guy that isn't afraid to mix it up and get involved physically. He never takes a shift off, battles for every loose puck and is the type of guy every team could use. He's good defensively, makes a good outlet pass and does possess some offensive ability. He's not going to light the lamp and fill the score sheet, but he will pick up points here and there.
Upside: No. 4/5 defenseman
3. Patrick Sieloff (42nd overall in 2013)
With Sieloff, what you see is what you get. He's a big, strong defensive defenseman who isn't afraid to throw his weight around. He's known in the OHL for his devastating body checks and it seems like he lands one on a weekly basis. At times he gets caught out of position going for the big hit, but he is improving in that area. When he keeps his game simple, he's a quality player and his defensive game is pretty good. There isn't much in the way of offense for Sieloff, though, as he doesn't possess above average passing abilities nor a booming shot every power play unit needs.
Upside: No. 4/5 defensive defenseman
4. Eric Roy (135th overall in 2013)
Roy played on a a very poor team last year in the Brandon Wheat Kings, but his -32 rating isn't deceiving. He's highly mediocre defensively and is often caught out of position of chasing the play. He can skate, move the puck and is excellent on the power play, but he certainly has some work to do in his own end. If he can ever get that figured out and become at least somewhat serviceable in his own zone, he could turn into a good player. The potential is there, but he's got a long ways to go before he can think about sniffing the NHL.
Upside: No. 4/5 offensive defenseman
5. Keegan Kanzig (73rd overall in 2013)
I wasn't a fan of the selection of Kanzig where he was taken, but I can understand what the Flames liked about him. He's good defensively and is a tower on the back end. He's big, physical and is a guy nobody wants to go in the corner and battle with. He can lay down a big hit, fight and he'll do whatever he can to help his team win. He doesn't have much talent offensively, but he could be a serviceable depth defenseman down the road if all goes well and if he turns into an NHL player, nobody will complain about the pick.
Upside: 3nd pairing defensive defenseman
Overall outlook: The Flames have a couple defence prospects who look like they are on track to become NHLers, but overall their farm system on the back end is pretty poor; especially in comparison to their forward or goaltending prospects. The Flames have six picks in next year's draft and have several players they could sell off for picks at the deadline once they're out of contention, so they'll have the opportunity to address their back end next June. As I said, there isn't too much to be excited about on defence but it's not a huge deal at this point.
**
A look at the Flames' top-5 forward prospects.
Flames need to be careful with Monahan.
Miikka Kiprusoff still hasn't filed his retirement papers.
Why the Flames will be bottom feeders in 2013-14.
A look at the top-20 5 vs. 5 goal scorers over the last two seasons.
Why the Flames will be bottom feeders in 2013-14.
Aaron Ekblad, anyone?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Email:
[email protected]
Columbus Blue Jackets Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»