2015 Flames Draft Profiles: Round Two

We're coming closer and closer to the big day. Friday will have all eyes glued to television sets so that we can see a floor full of old men answering telephone calls and looking at clipboards to determine the fate of their franchise (and their jobs). The 26th is guaranteed to be packed full of excitement, angst, dread, and joy, depending on what you think of your GM.

But that's just the first round. There are 181 picks afterwards, and they all count: just ask the Flames. There are currently only has five first round picks on the team, one of them being Ladislav Smid, so it's not as if all of them are carrying the load. The Flames have made a name for themselves recently by finding players in the nooks and crannies of the hockey world, and turning them into regular NHLers. They aren't the Red Wings quite yet, but they could get there.

Brad Treliving understands the importance of this, and has stocked up on draft picks in the later rounds. Two deadline deal trades gave the Flames a wealth of picks in the top 90, and they can restock a shaky prospect pool by filling up on depth. Let's take a look at some of the players who could be in the system come Saturday.

Pick #45

Christian Fischer

DOB	Position	Shoots	Height	Weight	NHL CS	ISS	NHLe (-1)	NHLe
April 15, 1997	RW/C	Right	6'1"	212 lbs	#37	#38	17	21

A huge power-forward type player for the USA U-18 team  who has produced on every occasion, including international tournaments. He's big and gritty, but still possesses speed, intelligence, and a good shot. Fischer is headed to Notre Dame for his 2015-16 season, and has a potential spot on the USA World Juniors team up for grabs. He's worth checking out, and is tracking to be a middle six player. His size is just what Calgary wants, so he could be a frontrunner for the #45 pick.

Jeremy Bracco

DOB	Position	Shoots	Height	Weight	NHL CS	ISS	NHLe (-1)	NHLe
March 17th, 1997	RW/C	R	5'10"	165	#60	#28	29	30

Or we could look at his teammate, the equally interesting Jeremy Bracco. He's a very small guy (he's listed as anywhere from 5'8" to 5'10" and from 165 to 175) who puts up points with his flashy moves. Remind you of anyone you know? Bracco is slipping because of his stature, and he could fall right to the Flames at #45. Considering that he is also going to Boston College next year, the parallels are too similar to consider passing him up.

Parker Wotherspoon

DOB	Position	Shoots	Height	Weight	NHL CS	ISS	NHLe (-1)	NHLe
August 24th, 1997	D	L	6'0"	172	#43	#54	6	12

This guy should also sound familiar. His brother Tyler Wotherspoon is already with the Flames, and it'd be awesome to have a defensive brother pairing. The younger Wotherspoon is a more wild character, beating his brother in offensive production and penalty production (all highlight videos are of him fighting). Parker still has room and time to improve and fill in his frame, but he's still a solid pick.

Zachary Senyshyn

DOB	Position	Shoots	Height	Weight	NHL CS	ISS	NHLe (-1)	NHLe
March 30th, 1997	RW	R	6'1"	194	#38	#39	N/A	17

Senyshyn has always been a bit of a late bloomer, only entering the CHL this year after playing in the CCHL the year before. He wasn't particularly impressive points-wise, but his skill set has the scouts buzzing about his potential. He's definitely a project player, but there's less risk involved in the second round.

Nicolas Meloche

DOB	Position	Shoots	Height	Weight	NHL CS	ISS	NHLe (-1)	NHLe
July 18th, 1997	D	R	6'3"	205	#40	#37	10	16

Meloche has been slipping down the draft boards for whatever reason, and it could be a bargain should he end up being a Calgary Flame. He's a poor man's version of all the highly rated first-round defensive prospects: two-way player, offensive know-how, smooth skater, and smart. He could eventually become a very effective, minute-eating bottom four player. He could potentially fall back to #52 and #53, but those chances are slim.

Picks #52 and #53

Because these are one after the other, I felt it made sense to group them together. Makes all of our lives so much easier.

Conor Garland

DOB	Position	Shoots	Height	Weight	NHL CS	ISS	NHLe (-1)	NHLe	NHLe (+1)
March 11th, 1993	RW	R	5'8"	165	#86	NA	14	23	41

No one is sure what to make of this guy. He did score 129 points in 67 games, but he was 19 when he did it. The overager is very hard to project in hockey, as he could simply be a later bloomer, or he could be reaping the benefits of being a man playing amongst boys. It's a high risk, high reward pick. He's projected anywhere from early second round to late third. I don't think the Flames go after him, but they do have a history of going off the board.

Matthew Spencer

DOB	Position	Shoots	Height	Weight	NHL CS	ISS	NHLe (-1)	NHLe
March 24th, 1997	D	R	6'2"	203	#68	#70	6	11

Don't let his ranking fool you, Spencer will most likely go in the second round. Bob McKenzie is very high on him, and for good reason. The Peterborough Pete was a leading defensive player on his team, and has all the tools of an NHL-calibre player. He'll spend a lot of time in development, but could emerge as a second pairing defenceman.

Felix Sandstrom

DOB	Position	Catches	Height	Weight	NHL CS
January 12th, 1997	G	L	6'2"	192	#3 (EU goalies)

Here's a first on this list: a goalie (they don't get fancy highlight videos)! Sandstrom has looked promising in international play and the Swedish leagues, and will certainly be an intriguing prospect to follow for years to come. The Flames already have solid goaltending depth in Joni Ortio, Jon Gillies, and Mason McDonald, but it doesn't hurt to have one more if things don't go according to plan. The Flames have also said they're selecting according to BPA (best player available), and Sandstrom in the 50s is one of the best players available. Highly probable pick for the team.

Callum Booth

DOB	Position	Catches	Height	Weight	NHL CS
May 21st, 1997	G	L	6'3"	198	#2 (NA goalies)

Booth is another interesting goaltending prospect. He was pushed out of the starting position (wrongfully, some may argue) when the Remparts traded for highly-touted Zach Fucale, but still put up very solid numbers in the crazy-scoring QMJHL. He could be another solid addition to the goaltending corps, and will be an easy pick to make at #52/53.

Ryan Gropp

DOB	Position	Shoots	Height	Weight	NHL CS	ISS	NHLe (-1)	NHLe
September 16th, 1996	LW	L	6'2"	183	#71	#50	18	21

He missed out on the 2014 draft by a day, making him one of the oldest players in their first year of draft eligibility. Gropp didn't produce as much as one would hope given the few extra months he had on most of his peers, but he still plays a respectable game. He's always in position, always looking to make a play, and always forechecking and backchecking. He's going to be a long-term prospect, but he could be a suitable bottom six player in the future.

Ryan Pilon

DOB	Position	Shoots	Height	Weight	NHL CS	ISS	NHLe (-2)	NHLe (-1)	NHLe
October 10th, 1996	D	L	6'2"	207	#24	#93	12	13	18

Pilon is a very polarizing prospect. The NHL is very high on him, but everyone else is less so. He's an older player, having served three full years in the WHL, and did reap the benefits of playing alongside Ivan Provorov in his draft eligible year. His relative lack of development before Provorov is concerning, only increasing the risk factor. It'd be wise to wait on him and risk having him slip to the third rather than reach up and take him with a second.

And we'll leave you with that for now. Up next, we'll have round three in one post, and five, six, and seven in the other. Stay tuned!