FLAMES DRAFT PREVIEW: Our Top 10 intriguing prospects for Calgary to eye
We're not scouts. Let's make that clear right away.
We have, however, been digging in on our research.
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As the Calgary Flames beat reporters for Postmedia, we have studied up on the prospects available in the 2025 NHL Draft, watching highlight clips, reading reports and asking around for insight. We have focused, of course, on the Flames' potential targets with their two first-round picks — at Nos. 18 and 32 overall.
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Here are 10 prospects that intrigue us, a mix of opening-round candidates and could-be sleepers:
Caleb Desnoyers, C
Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)
Standout Stat: Finished second in QMJHL playoff scoring with 30 points
Why I'm intrigued: To be clear, I don't think Desnoyers is going to be available when the Flames draft at No. 18, so what I'm suggesting is that they swing a deal and move up. Desnoyers has the potential to be a foundational piece, with some experts projecting that he could be a very solid first-line centre and scouts raving about his leadership on a Wildcats team that won the QMJHL championship. The Flames would need a trade partner, obviously, but they've got a lot of assets that could be moved and landing a guy like Desnoyers might just fast-track their re-tool.
– Danny Austin
Cole Reschny, C
Victoria Royals (WHL)
Standout stat: Averaged 2.27 points per game in WHL playoffs
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Why I'm intrigued: Of the realistic centre targets at No. 18, Reschny would be at the top of my list. Why him? Because I'd be looking for guys who can find another gear in the big games and Reschny basically put his team on his back this spring, with nine goals and 16 assists in 11 playoff outings. Among WHLers, only Gavin McKenna posted a better point-per-game clip in the post-season. I've read glowing reviews about Reschny's playmaking skills and tenacity, but his ability to come up clutch is what fascinates me most.
— Wes Gilbertson
Braeden Cootes, C
Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)
Standout stat: Youngest captain in the WHL this past season
Why I'm intrigued: Cootes' numbers aren't necessarily what jump out at you. This righty put up 63 points in 60 games, but every scouting report highlights his tenacity retrieving pucks and his two-way play with the Thunderbirds. Even if he doesn't wind up being a first-liner, every team needs guys in the middle of the ice who have a high-end hockey IQ, play a 200-foot game and finish hits. Cootes led the Thunderbirds on a late-season tear that saw them climb the standings and book a spot in the playoffs. He also wore the 'C' for Team Canada at World Under-18s.
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– Austin
Kashawn Aitcheson, D
Barrie Colts (OHL)
Standout stat: In OHL's annual coaches poll, voted best bodychecker in his conference
Why I'm intrigued: Yeah, I realize the Flames' most glaring need is at centre. But what if there is an early run on pivot prospects, hardly far-fetched when you consider how many teams are looking to improve up the middle, and Aitcheson slides to No. 18? Could this lefty be the perfect partner for either Zayne Parekh or Hunter Brzustewicz? Aitcheson racked up 26 goals in the OHL this past season, only seven fewer than Parekh, but I'm most interested in the rest of the scouting report — he's aggressive, hits hard and plays with a mean streak.
— Gilbertson
Bill Zonnon, C/LW
Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (QMJHL)
Standout stat: Fifth-most assists in the QMJHL this season
Why I'm intrigued: I've been fascinated by Zonnon ever since writing about him for our Retool Tracker last month. There are questions about his skating, but is that something that Flames skating wiz Danielle Fujita might be able to fix? It might be worth taking a swing and seeing what happens. Zonnon put up 83 points in 64 games this past season, is 6-foot-2 and earns high marks for his competitiveness. He can play on both wings and up the middle, too, and it just feels like if he's there when the Flames are called upon for their second first-round pick, he could be a steal.
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– Austin
Ben Kindel, C/RW
Calgary Hitmen (WHL)
Standout stat: Finished seventh in WHL scoring race with 99 points
Why I'm intrigued: While I don't get to enough Hitmen games, you don't need to be a season-ticket holder to gain an appreciation for Kindel's abilities. This is a guy that you notice on just about every shift. He posted the WHL's second-longest point streak this past season, a 23-game tear that was bettered by only McKenna, and his superb passing skills hint at a future role on the power play. If this righty is somehow still available at No. 32, the Flames should strike.
— Gilbertson
Carter Amico, D
US Hockey National Team Development Program
Standout Stat: Appeared in only 13 games this season
Why I'm intrigued: That stat above is the main reason Amico isn't projected to go in Friday's first round. The right-shot blue-liner suffered a major knee injury in November and didn't play afterwards, which has seen him drop in most mock drafts. At 6-foot-5, though, he's got the size to be a force for whoever gets him and he doesn't just lumber around the ice, either. His skating is one of his best attributes. The injury is going to scare some teams off, but Amico has a ton of upside and feels like he's probably worth taking a risk on after the first round.
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– Austin
Eric Nilson, C/RW
Djurgardens Jrs. (Sweden)
Standout stat: Won more faceoffs than any other player at World Under-18s
Why I'm intrigued: Bloodlines usually are a good bet. Although your memory may be a bit fuzzy from whatever you were guzzling on the Red Mile, you probably recall that Marcus Nilson was one of the glue guys for the Flames in their improbable run to the 2004 Stanley Cup final. While Eric needs to bulk up, he sounds a lot like his old man — smart, reliable, capable of contributing at both ends. I've been wondering about this Swedish righty at No. 54, but after his strong testing results at the draft combine, he may be gone before then.
— Gilbertson
Kristian Epperson, LW
Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
Standout stat: Notched 80 points in 58 games this season
Why I'm intrigued: You're not going to get many players in the third round who put up 80 points in a season and, while some of that can be chalked up to Epperson playing on a line with projected top-3 pick Michael Misa this year, that shouldn't be held against him. He was a teammate of Parekh with the Spirit, too, and is committed to the University of Denver, which is one of the best programs in the NCAA. Epperson was passed over in last year's draft, but that won't happen again this weekend.
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