First-rounders Jakob Pelletier (2019), Matt Coronato (2021) and Sam Honzek (2023) are all projected to work the wing in the long-range plans. While Connor Zary (2020) was selected as a centre, he since has been shifted to the flank.
The Flames will prioritize building-blocks at the other positions, but it seems like a safe bet that general manager Craig Conroy will have at least a couple of new wingmen when he returns from the 2024 NHL Draft in Las Vegas. From prolific lamp-lighters to familiar names to lads with local connections, here are 10 potential targets …
Tij Iginla
Flames could consider at … No. 9 overall
Cole Eiserman
Flames could consider … by trading into 10-15 range
Back in September, when TSN’s Bob McKenzie polled 10 scouts for his pre-season draft ranking, nine named Macklin Celebrini as the top prospect. So, who spoiled the consensus? That would be Eiserman, who ultimately faded from the first-overall debate — Celebrini is now a slam-dunk — but remains a source of widespread fascination. This guy is a natural scorer, the best in this class. Eiserman notched 58 goals for the USNDTP U18s, and that was in just 57 games. On the flip side, there are worries about his decision-making and defensive buy-in. A Boston University commit, Eiserman is not likely in the conversation at No. 9 and will be long gone at No. 28, so the Flames would need to swing a trade for a shot at him.
Terik Parascak
Flames could consider at … No. 28 overall
Originally from Lethbridge and an Edge School alum, Parascak has been a rapid riser, bad news for scouts who were initially thinking he could be a Day 2 steal. Most seem to expect he will be selected before the end of Friday’s first round. Parascak burst on scene as a WHLer in 2023-24, exploding for 43 goals and 62 assists in 68 outings as a rookie right winger with the Prince George Cougars. His point total was second to only Berkly Catton among all draft-eligibles across the Canadian Hockey League. Parascak is smart — really smart — and has a wicked shot, and he should benefit from working with a big-league skating coach. Can he push the pace enough to capitalize on his offensive gifts?
Andrew Basha
Flames could consider at … No. 28 or No. 41 overall
If this Calgary kid is selected by his hometown team, he’ll need to settle on a new number. Basha currently wears No. 34 for the Medicine Hat Tigers, a nod to his childhood fave, legendary puck-stopper Miikka Kiprusoff. Of course, those digits now hang from the rafters at the Saddledome. While Kipper was known for his calm and cool, Basha is a bit of an energizer bunny with a big personality. Rumour has it, he made a heck of an impression during individual interviews at the draft combine. A left shot, Basha put up 30 goals and 85 points in 63 twirls with the Tigers this season, showcasing his speed, vision and playmaking talents for scouts who oftentimes turned up to see his teammate Cayden Lindstrom.
Teddy Stiga
Flames could consider at … No. 28 or No. 41 overall
One of our favourite independent evaluators is a big fan of Stiga, saying he possesses the “best motor in the draft” and “has no off-button.” While Stiga was a major offensive engine for the USNDTP U18s, amassing 36 goals and 79 points in 61 games, the scouts get even more excited about the rest of his traits — the acceleration and speed, the awareness, the relentless pursuit of pucks and the lead-by-example qualities. It seems like the worst-case scenario for Stiga is as a bottom-six sparkplug role, but he may offer more upside than that. He played with Tij Iginla in the Boston Jr. Eagles program, so Jarome can provide some intel, albeit from a few years back.
Tanner Howe
Flames could consider in … second round or beyond
Some figured Howe’s offensive production would crater with his former linemate now starring in the NHL, but that didn’t turn out to be the case. After happily sidekicking for Connor Bedard during his record-breaking campaign in 2022-23, Howe was asked this winter to be the go-to guy for the WHL’s Regina Pats and responded with 28 tallies and 77 points, tops on his team in both categories. While there’s some debate about whether he’ll be able to earn a first- or second-line gig at the highest level, it helps that he plays a snarky style. His old buddy Bedard told The Athletic: “On the ice, he’s a bit of a prick.” In this biz, that’s a compliment.
Ryder Ritchie
Flames could consider in … second round or beyond
The last name doesn’t resonate like Iginla, but Ritchie is another kid with big-league bloodlines. His father, Byron, played parts of eight seasons in The Show, including a couple of winters with the Flames. In fact, it was during his stint in Calgary that his son was born. Ryder averaged just shy of a point per game this past season with the WHL’s Prince Albert Raiders. Scouts appreciate his speed, stickhandling abilities and elusiveness, although he will need to add some muscle so he can hold his own in one-on-one battles. During the combine, he was on the short list of 6-foot-somethings to weigh in at less than 180 pounds. Keep in mind that Ritchie is among the youngest dudes in the draft, which only adds to his upside.
Carson Wetsch
Flames could consider in … second round or beyond
It’s not uncommon to see one of the Flames’ higher-ups in attendance at Hitmen games, so they certainly have a thick folder of scouting reports on Wetsch, who just finished his second season with the local WHL squad. Described by Hitmen GM Garry Davidson as “a throwback winger,” you can always count on Wetsch to finish his checks and he’s not a guy who steers clear of the dirty areas. While his offensive stats won’t blow you away, this righty contributed 25 goals and 50 points as a draft-eligible and some believe he is more skilled than he gets credit for. If Wetsch is selected by the Flames, he would surely benefit from the extra attention from the development staff at the Saddledome.
Justin Poirier
Flames could consider in … third round or beyond
Something here doesn’t add up: Poirier sniped 51 goals in the QMJHL, the first 17-year-old to hit that stratosphere since some dude named Sidney Crosby did so in 2004-05. And yet, the Baie-Comeau Drakkar dynamo didn’t score an invite to the draft combine. Huh? Poirier isn’t necessarily the total package — and you wish he was a bit bigger than 5-foot-8 — but he has an absolutely deadly shot and didn’t disappear in the biggest games, with 18 more goals in 17 playoff dates. The Flames know where to go if they have any questions. They drafted his older brother, Jeremie, in 2020 and he is currently patrolling the blueline for the Wranglers.
Will Zellers
Flames could consider in … third round or beyond
A standout for the Shattuck-St Mary’s prep program in his home state of Minnesota, Zellers was in Calgary a few months back for the Circle K Classic and was mighty impressed. “Everyone here is so competitive and wants to win badly,” Zellers told Postmedia. “Up here, it’s all hockey, just like back home, which is really cool.” Could this be Zellers’ future hockey home? This light lefty — at last check, he weighed only 163 pounds — averaged 2.06 points per game this winter and is one of the highest scorers in Shattuck-St Mary’s school history, but scouts often scribble about his smarts and his two-way play. His next stop is University of North Dakota.