Sam Honzek at centre? Calgary Flames could see sneak-peek during world championship
Article content
'There's going to be lots of eyes on the tournament, so it's going to be really, really good for me,' Honzek said. 'I think this can open up lots of eyes and kind of set me up for the future, for next season.'
Could the next couple of weeks alter exactly where Honzek, who was a first-round draft pick in 2023, fits on the Flames' future depth chart?
It's a good question.
'I talked to the GM of the Slovak national team and he said I might have to play centre,' Honzek revealed after his exit interview with the AHL's Calgary Wranglers. 'So that is going to be definitely a big challenge for me, but I think I can handle it.'
Wouldn't that be a welcome wrinkle for the Flames?
It's well-documented that the organization is short on centres, especially in the 25-and-under age range that they are targeting to form the nucleus for an eventual contender.
Their top two pivots — leading scorer Nazem Kadri and captain Mikael Backlund — already are in their mid-30s and there are not any sure-things in the prospect pipeline.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Edmonton Journal
2 days ago
- Edmonton Journal
Cowan: Canadiens bank on healthy David Reinbacher to blossom into NHLer
Article content Reinbacher, the No. 5 overall pick at the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, didn't play again until late February with the AHL's Laval Rocket. 'The guy came and I tried to protect myself,' Reinbacher said Thursday about the hit from Rifai when Rocket players met with the media for the last time this season after getting swept by the Charlotte Checkers in the Eastern Conference final. 'I kind of hooked in the boards with my heel and I fell down. I heard a click right away in my knee. I stood up and tried to finish the shift, but I couldn't put weight on (it). I jumped over the boards and I knew, OK, it's over.' Life has not been easy for the 20-year-old Austrian since the Canadiens drafted him. Many Canadiens fans were upset the team didn't draft forward Matvei Michkov instead and expressed their anger on social media. Michkov posted 26-37-63 totals in 80 games this season as a rookie with the Philadelphia Flyers, who took him with the No. 7 overall pick at the 2023 draft.
National Post
2 days ago
- National Post
FLAMES RETOOL TRACKER: Potential options on defence at the NHL Draft
If there's one thing that's become clear as we've looked through the state of the defence in our Flames Retool Tracker series this week, it's that the organization is well-stocked with young talent on the blue line. Article content That makes it pretty unlikely that the Flames will take a defenceman with their first of two first-round picks at the NHL Draft later this month. Article content Article content After that, though? If the right player is available, who knows? Article content Article content Here are six guys we think might look good in a Flames uniform who are expected to get picked on June 27: Article content Henry Brzustewicz Article content Measurements: 6-foot-1, 192 lbs. Article content The skinny: It's not just that Brzustewicz's brother, Hunter, is one of the most highly regarded prospects in the Flames system and could be part of the blue-line puzzle next season. Henry also played big minutes for the Knights as they won the Memorial Cup this year and was one of the big risers on most draft boards as the season progressed. Scouts praise him for his super-high hockey IQ and his dependability on both ends of the ice, while acknowledging there's room for him to be more assertive offensively. Brzustewicz is expected to be picked in the second round and it would be a great story if the Flames wound up with both brothers. Article content Article content Article content Measurements: 6-foot-4, 200 lbs. Article content The skinny: The son of eight-time Canadian long ball champion Lisa Vlooswyk is a defensive defenceman who brings real physicality to the ice and that could have real value for a Flames team that already has its fair share of offensively minded blueliners in its system. FC Hockey's draft guide credits Vlooswyk for his physical presence, positioning and stick work and notes that he 'excels in denying net-front access (and) tying up threats without losing structure' — and that's exactly what coaches like in a defenceman. If he's available in the later rounds, the Flames just might look at bringing another Calgary kid home. Article content Measurements: 6-foot-0, 190 lbs. Article content The skinny: This writer is a little confused why some outlets have Pickford ranked as low as they do heading into the draft. He put up great numbers for the juggernaut Tigers this season and even set a WHL record for most consecutive games with a goal by a defenceman in the playoffs when he scored in eight straight as his team captured the title. He's a great puck-mover with elite offensive instincts for a blue liner and, while the Flames do have a few guys with similar skill sets, he should still carry a lot of intrigue. It's worth noting, too, that most scouting profiles make a point of mentioning that Pickford isn't a one-trick pony. There's lots to like about his defensive game, too.
Edmonton Journal
2 days ago
- Edmonton Journal
FLAMES RETOOL TRACKER: Potential options on defence at the NHL Draft
Article content If there's one thing that's become clear as we've looked through the state of the defence in our Flames Retool Tracker series this week, it's that the organization is well-stocked with young talent on the blue line. That makes it pretty unlikely that the Flames will take a defenceman with their first of two first-round picks at the NHL Draft later this month.
