There’s no doubt that the Calgary Flames scouts have been focused on faceoff men.
It wouldn’t be a surprise if the Flames select a pivot prospect with both of their first-round selections in the 2025 NHL Draft. Even if they go a different direction with one of those up-high picks, their two-day haul should include several centres.
Meet some of the middle-men who might be on Calgary’s radar, whether that’s at No. 18 overall or as the proceedings continue.
Braeden Cootes
Hometown: Sherwood Park, Alta.
This season: 26 goals, 63 points in 60 games with the WHL’s Seattle Thunderbirds
Measurements: 6-foot, 183 pounds
The skinny: This up-and-comer hails from Oil Country, but we won’t hold that against him, not with so many traits that make him an intriguing fit for the Flames. Cootes was Canada’s top scorer at the World Under-18s, with six goals — including a pair of game-winners — and a dozen points in seven tournament tilts. He brings boundless energy and has a righty curve on his stick, a rarity in Calgary’s pipeline. Cootes was the youngest captain in the WHL this season and also rocked the ‘C’ for Team Canada, so he earns another checkmark for his leadership qualities.
Cole Reschny
Hometown: Macklin, Sask.
This season: 26 goals, 92 points in 62 games with the WHL’s Victoria Royals
Measurements: 5-foot-11, 183 pounds
The skinny: Did any draft hopeful do more to boost their stock over the past couple of months? Reschny went berserk — in a good way — during the WHL playoffs, racking up nine goals and 25 points in only 11 outings. As a late arrival at the World Under-18s, he continued his spring show-off by scoring five times in five appearances with Team Canada, including the overtime winner in a quarterfinal nail-biter. Reschny has a well-rounded game, but nothing gets the scouts scribbling faster than the ability to come up with a clutch goal at a crucial moment.
Jack Nesbitt
Hometown: Sarnia, Ont.
This season: 25 goals, 64 points in 65 games with the OHL’s Windsor Spitfires
Measurements: 6-foot-4, 185 pounds
The skinny: There isn’t a ton of size among the projected first-round centres — and especially among the guys who are expected to still be available into the teens and beyond — so Nesbitt stands out from the crowd. While he doesn’t offer as much offensive sizzle as some of the other options, this power-forward-in-progress is considered a ‘safe’ pick because he has all the attributes to be an effective middle-six sort. The question is whether the Flames, needing to eventually fill a first-line vacancy, would rather swing for the fences. With a pair of first-round picks, could they maybe do both?
Ben Kindel
Hometown: Coquitlam, B.C.
This season: 35 goals, 99 points in 65 games with the WHL’s Calgary Hitmen
Measurements: 5-foot-10, 176 pounds
The skinny: If you follow the Hitmen, you’re aware that one of the top-scoring prospects in the 2025 NHL Draft already is accustomed to dazzling fans at the Saddledome. Kindel finished seventh in the WHL points race this winter and continued to produce in the playoffs, with eight goals and seven assists in 11 post-season spins. He is both creative and competitive. He’s elusive, but doesn’t shy away from the high-traffic areas. Although some figure he will be better slotted as a winger at the big-league level, that shouldn’t be a deterrent for the Flames, since they’re also thin on right-shots on the flank.
Cullen Potter
Hometown: Minneapolis, Minn.
This season: 13 goals, 22 points in 35 games with the NCAA’s Arizona State Sun Devils
Measurements: 5-foot-10, 172 pounds
The skinny: Potter may be the best skater in this entire draft class. This kid can fly and that could have him soaring in the final rankings and mock drafts. While some were surprised that Potter departed the U.S. National Team Development Program after his U-17 season, scouts will appreciate that he was eager to test his mettle against bigger and stronger opponents in the NCAA. This lefty has strong bloodlines. His mother, Jenny, was a four-time Olympian with Team USA, winning gold in 1998 in Nagano and following up with two silver medals and one bronze.
RelatedFive more, rapid fire …
Roger McQueen, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL) — This power forward has the tools to be a true No. 1 centre. Trouble is, he was limited to just 20 games this season due to a pars fracture in his back and that will scare some teams off. If McQueen falls to 18th, are the Flames willing to take the risk?
William Horcoff, Michigan Wolverines (NCAA) — How about a Horcoff on the south side of the Battle of Alberta? William’s father, Shawn, played 1,000-plus games as an NHL centre, including 13 seasons with the Edmonton Oilers. At 6-foot-5, William will be a handful.
Milton Gastrin, MoDo (Sweden) — The book on Gastrin is that he’s smart, dependable and consistent. Coaches love all those descriptors. Gastrin, who has frequently captained his national squad, could still be available in the second round.
Cole McKinney, U.S. National Team Development Program — McKinney was the leading scorer for the USNTDP this season, accumulating 55 points in 51 games. Scouts rave about his skating ability and slick hands and he is rock-solid at the faceoff dot.
Ivan Ryabkin, Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL) — A year ago, the Flames selected a talented Russian out of the Junior A-level USHL. Could they go that route again with Ryabkin, who has oodles of offensive upside but also comes with lots of question marks?