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Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
FLAMES RETOOL TRACKER: Under-25 power rankings at right wing
There has, in recent years, been a shortage of right-shot regulars among the Calgary Flames' forward cast. That started to change this season, with Matt Coronato emerging as one of the go-to guys and Adam Klapka showing that he's also ready for a full-time role. The best part is that those two are both in their early 20s, fitting the age range that the Flames have targeted to build a future contender. Who could eventually join them on right wing? Examining the organizational depth chart, here is how we rank the under-25 options on that side of the sheet. Age: 22 How acquired: Selected in first round, No. 13 overall, of 2021 NHL Draft Working in his favour: He's a sharpshooter, plain and simple. Still working on it: There are no glaring weaknesses but, as Coronato continues to gain experience, he should be even more reliable in his own zone and even more effective on the power play. As Calgary's best righty faceoff option, he's also determined to boost his success rate in the circle. Big-league potential: Blake Coleman has predicted that Coronato will be one of those guys who snipes 30 goals a season and we're not about to disagree. Coronato recently signed a seven-year contract extension, formalizing what was already clear: He's a huge part of the long-range plan at the Saddledome/Scotia Place. Because he finished third on the team charts with 24 goals and because he was so often trusted to play the final moments of close games, it's easy to forget that he was the youngest regular on the roster this season. He'll only get better. Age: 24 How acquired: Signed as an undrafted free agent in 2022 Working in his favour: At 6-foot-8 and 235 pounds, he is among the biggest dudes in the NHL. What makes him such a unique package is that he's also a slick skater and has soft mitts. Still working on it: The two keys for Klapka are being consistent with his hard-to-play-against identity and being careful not to cough up the puck. Big-league potential: Although many thought he'd top out as a depth piece, he finished this season on the first line. This skyscraper-on-skates made a major impact during the Flames' wild-card chase, scoring several clutch goals over the final month of the campaign. In doing so, he should have cemented his spot as a full-time NHLer. While he has been on a bit of a yo-yo over the past couple of campaigns, Klapka now requires waivers to be reassigned to the Wranglers. If the Flames tried to sneak him through, they'd lose him. Age: 19 How acquired: Selected in first round, No. 28 overall, of 2024 NHL Draft Working in his favour: He has oodles of offensive skill and could be the fastest skater in the Flames' pipeline. Sounds like a heck of a combo, doesn't it? Still working on it: Gridin has a familiar checklist for a high-scoring prospect, including an emphasis on his away-from-the-puck details and defensive-zone duties. Big-league potential: This could be a future first-liner. This Russian has a lefty curve on his stick, but he has been working the right wing as a junior and it's hard to argue with the results. On the heels of his USHL scoring crown, Gridin racked up 36 goals and 43 assists in 56 appearances this season with the Shawinigan Cataractes, ranking fifth in the QMJHL with an average of 1.41 points per game. He's now poised to turn pro and plans to put on a show come fall. As he told Postmedia: 'Sam Honzek is a great example for me — what he did last year at the main camp. What's the problem for me to do the same thing?' Age: 21 How acquired: Selected in fourth round, No. 106 overall, of 2024 NHL Draft Working in his favour: When Hoskin has the puck on his stick, good things tend to happen. He has a deadly release. Still working on it: As he continues his climb, the challenge is to prove that the offence will translate. Big-league potential: With a late bloomer like Hoskin, a guy who twice passed through the NHL Draft, it feels like it's too soon to even try to predict. While the stats are mighty encouraging, there is some mystery surrounding this rising righty because he has primarily played at lower levels. Hoskin was named MVP of the Canadian Junior Hockey League in 2023-24 and then was saluted this season as the top freshman in what is typically considered the weakest conference in the NCAA's Division 1 ranks. This speedster just transferred to Merrimack, where it will be illuminating to see how he stacks up against some of the powerhouse programs in Hockey East. FLAMES RETOOL TRACKER: Emergence of two right-handers provides hope on wing FLAMES RETOOL TRACKER: Matvei Gridin has highlight-reel potential on right wing Age: 20 How acquired: Selected in seventh round, No. 219 overall, of 2022 NHL Draft Working in his favour: At 6-foot-3 and 216 pounds, Littler is already built like a big-leaguer. Puck protection is a strength. Still working on it: Flames skating coach Danielle Fujita is hoping to add Littler to her list of success stories and he already has made improvements to his footwork. Big-league potential: For a seventh-round long-shot, any NHL appearances count as a win. We considered putting Hunter Laing in this spot — he made a compelling case with 25 goals in the WHL this winter — but Littler caught our attention with his late-season surge at the University of North Dakota. Although he scored only seven times as a freshman with the Fighting Hawks, he tallied three of those in a hat-trick of playoff appearances. Could that be a hint that he's primed for a breakthrough as a sophomore? He's also a trusted penalty-killer at North Dakota, where they pump out future pros. wgilbertson@
National Post
29-05-2025
- General
- National Post
FLAMES RETOOL TRACKER: Under-25 power rankings at right wing
There has, in recent years, been a shortage of right-shot regulars among the Calgary Flames ' forward cast. Article content Article content That started to change this season, with Matt Coronato emerging as one of the go-to guys and Adam Klapka showing that he's also ready for a full-time role. Article content The best part is that those two are both in their early 20s, fitting the age range that the Flames have targeted to build a future contender. Article content Who could eventually join them on right wing? Examining the organizational depth chart, here is how we rank the under-25 options on that side of the sheet. Article content 1. Matt Coronato Article content Article content Still working on it: There are no glaring weaknesses but, as Coronato continues to gain experience, he should be even more reliable in his own zone and even more effective on the power play. As Calgary's best righty faceoff option, he's also determined to boost his success rate in the circle. Article content Big-league potential: Blake Coleman has predicted that Coronato will be one of those guys who snipes 30 goals a season and we're not about to disagree. Article content Coronato recently signed a seven-year contract extension, formalizing what was already clear: He's a huge part of the long-range plan at the Saddledome/Scotia Place. Because he finished third on the team charts with 24 goals and because he was so often trusted to play the final moments of close games, it's easy to forget that he was the youngest regular on the roster this season. He'll only get better. Article content Article content Age: 24 Article content How acquired: Signed as an undrafted free agent in 2022 Article content Working in his favour: At 6-foot-8 and 235 pounds, he is among the biggest dudes in the NHL. What makes him such a unique package is that he's also a slick skater and has soft mitts. Article content This skyscraper-on-skates made a major impact during the Flames' wild-card chase, scoring several clutch goals over the final month of the campaign. In doing so, he should have cemented his spot as a full-time NHLer. While he has been on a bit of a yo-yo over the past couple of campaigns, Klapka now requires waivers to be reassigned to the Wranglers. If the Flames tried to sneak him through, they'd lose him.
Edmonton Journal
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Edmonton Journal
FLAMES RETOOL TRACKER: Emergence of two righties provides hope on wing
Matt Coronato and Adam Klapka look like they can be the Flames' top-six right wingers of the future Adam Klapka of the Calgary Flames warms up prior to the game against the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Place on March 29, 2025. Getty Images The most encouraging storyline of the 2024-25 season for the Calgary Flames was the emergence of Dustin Wolf. You need a stud goalie if you're going to win in the NHL and the Flames look like they've got one. Put a checkmark next to that box. Is it possible, though, that two right-handed wingers breaking through would be the second-biggest development? Only a year ago, the — completely correct — consensus was the Flames were severely lacking on the right. There were times late in the 2023-24 season when Andrei Kuzmenko was the only right-handed forward playing on a nightly basis for the team. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by David Staples, Keith Gerein and others, Oilers news from Cult of Hockey, Ask EJ Anything features, the Noon News Roundup and Under the Dome newsletters. Unlimited online access to Edmonton Journal and 15 news sites with one account. Edmonton Journal ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by David Staples, Keith Gerein and others, Oilers news from Cult of Hockey, Ask EJ Anything features, the Noon News Roundup and Under the Dome newsletters. Unlimited online access to Edmonton Journal and 15 news sites with one account. Edmonton Journal ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Here is what my colleague Wes Gilbertson wrote when he broke down the Flames' depth chart on the wing around this time last year. 'He could have company in Matt Coronato, who seems ready for a full-time gig. There is opportunity, too, for the towering Adam Klapka.' Twelve months later, those words seem prescient. A big part of the Flames' retool is developing youth at every position and there might not be a spot on the ice where the Flames are further ahead in doing that than right wing — other than between the pipes. Coronato not only proved he was ready for a full-time gig this season, he was an offensive driver who showed real star potential. In his first full NHL season, the 22-year-old was third in team scoring with 47 points, including 24 goals. Read More Essential Oilers news, insight, opinion and analysis. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. And it felt like he was only scratching the surface of what he can do as an NHLer. Selected 13th overall in the 2021 NHL Draft, Coronato was rewarded with a seven-year contract that will pay him $6.5 million US annually, securing his place as a core piece of the Flames' future. 'I think now he kind of knows what he needs to do, how to score, where he needs to go on the ice, find those quiet areas, when to leave the zone early to maybe get some chances off the rush,' Flames GM Craig Conroy told Postmedia after the signing. 'And he's only going to get more and more comfortable with that. And as he does, as an organization, we're hoping the (goal) totals go up too.' If there were question marks around Coronato last spring, they revolved entirely around how long it might take him to fully find his feet at the NHL level. Fortunately for the Flames, he appears to be a quick learner. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. There were bigger questions about Klapka. He had been good in the AHL with the Calgary Wranglers, but was completely unproven in the NHL. At 6-foot-8 and weighing in at 235 lbs., there was no debate about whether he had the size to compete, but we were still waiting to see if he could put it together and be a viable option on the right for the Flames long-term. There's still plenty to prove, but his play this season suggests there's lots of reason to feel optimistic. Klapka played in 31 games for the Flames, scoring six goals and adding four assists, but was especially good coming down the stretch when he was moved into a first-line role on the right of Nazem Kadri. That was unexpected. 'It shows me he can do it,' Conroy said at the end of the season. 'There's more to Adam. The one thing I was worried about when he got onto that top line was 'Oh, is he going to want to finish checks and do the little things that got him to move up there?' because he does have skill and he's got a nice shot. 'It's a nice thing to have, when you don't have to go find that in free agency and you've kind of home-grown it.' If Klapka can keep progressing and Coronato keeps getting better, the Flames might suddenly have two top-six right-wingers to build around. The early returns on 2024 first-round pick Matvei Gridin have been encouraging, too. The future looks bright. A lot brighter than it did a year ago. For anyone looking for proof that the retool is heading in the right direction, the Flames' newfound strength at right-wing should offer it. daustin@ X: @DannyAustin_9 Sports Politics Cult of Hockey Politics Edmonton Oilers
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
AHL Players At The World Championship Recap
The 2025 IIHF World Hockey Championship has come to an end with USA defeating Switzerland in overtime to capture their first gold medal at the tournament since 1933. The American Hockey League was well represented at the tournament with 17 players who spent a significant portion of the season in the AHL playing in at least one game at the World Championship. The final stats of these players are below. Dylan Garand - G - Canada GP: 1 Record: 1-0-0 SP: 1.000 GAA: 0.00 SO: 1 Adam Klapka - F - Czechia GP: 5 G: 2 A: 1 P: 3 David Spacek - D - Czechia GP: 8 G: 0 A: 2 P: 2 Jonas Rondbjerg - F - Denmark GP: 5 G: 2 A: 0 P: 2 Mikael Pyyhtia - F - Finland GP: 3 G: 0 A: 0 P: 0 Nikolas Matinpalo - D - Finland GP: 8 G: 1 A: 1 P: 2 Maksymilian Szuber - D - Germany GP: 6 G: 0 A: 0 P: 0 Dans Locmelis - F - Latvia GP: 7 G: 4 A: 2 P: 6 Stian Solberg - D - Norway GP: 7 G: 4 A: 2 P: 6 Dalibor Dvorsky - F - Slovakia GP: 6 G: 0 A: 1 P: 1 Pavol Regenda - F - Slovakia GP: 6 G: 1 A: 1 P: 2 PIM: 29 Adam Sykora - F - Slovakia GP: 7 G: 0 A: 1 P: 1 Martin Chromiak - F - Slovakia GP: 7 G: 1 A: 0 P: 1 Samuel Honezk - F - Slovakia GP: 6 G: 1 A: 1 P: 2 Samuel Knazko - D - Slovakia GP: 6 G: 0 A: 2 P: 2 Samuel Hlavaj - G - Slovakia GP: 5 Record: 2-2-0 SP: .915 GAA: 1.99 SO: 0 Josh Doan - F - USA GP: 9 G: 1 A: 0 P: 1 Make sure you bookmark The Hockey News' AHL Page for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns and so much more.
National Post
26-05-2025
- Sport
- National Post
FLAMES RETOOL TRACKER: Charting the depth at right-wing
The Calgary Flames might not be super deep at right-wing, but at the NHL level, you can't exactly argue that they are low on potential. Article content Article content That storyline is still taking shape, but the emergence of a few young talents and the ever-reliable presence of Blake Coleman meant that by season's end, the Flames had to be feeling pretty darn good about the way their wingers on the right were looking. Article content Article content We're going through the Flames roster position-by-position this spring and taking a look at where they're deep and where they could use some help. This week, we're looking at the right-wing. Article content To kick things off, let's take a look at the Flames' organization depth chart at the position: Article content A year ago, it was generally understood that the Flames were short on right-wingers — or right-shot wingers, at least. Today, though, the situation looks a little different. It's not like they're super deep, but Matt Coronato had a breakout season with 24 goals and 23 assists and was rewarded with a seven-year contract. Adam Klapka emerged in the back-half, too, and was playing first-line minutes in the season's final weeks. Both guys are right-shots, and Martin Pospisil has mostly played on the right-side, too. All three are 25 or under and there's at least one high-end prospect in the pipeline, in Matvei Gridin, so the right-wing could actually be emerging as an area of strength for the organization. Article content Article content The veterans Article content Article content Given what we mentioned above, it seems unlikely that the Flames will look to keep Anthony Mantha around for another year. The 30-year-old was dealt a rough hand this season, signing a prove-it deal with the Flames in free agency and starting well before a knee injury ended his campaign in November. The signing made sense for the Flames and it's no fault of his own, but with the younger talent that's broken through, it doesn't make a lot of sense to block their progress and development. As far as other veterans go, we mentioned Blake Coleman in last week's breakdown of left-wingers, but he's played more on the right in recent seasons and his on-ice partnership with Mikael Backlund has been oh-so-reliable. With only two seasons left on his contract, it's inevitable that trade rumours will start to swirl around Coleman's name in the coming months, but his leadership and experience have been invaluable to the organization.
