NHL Draft primer: Hitmen, Calgary draft-eligibles set for annual pick-em
'He's a sleeper,' said Davidson of Miller, a product of Anchorage, Alaska. 'Teams are already talking about him going to their camps, but I wouldn't be at all surprised if he's picked later in the draft. I look at him as a 6-foot-2 strong kid. He obviously needs more experience, but he's just trending in such a positive way.'
Article content
With Kindel a possible top-20 pick, it's a chance for the longtime WHL GM and scout to reap the rewards from the development of another successful player.
Article content
Remember last year that Yakemchuk was the first top-20 draft pick into the NHL since fellow blue-liner Jake Bean was selected 13th overall in 2016.
Article content
'I think every team in the league has been genuinely interested in Ben,' Davidson said. 'I know there was tons of scouts in that contacted myself and obviously contacted Paul McFarland, our coach.'
Article content
Article content
The scouts were also interested in Hitmen defenceman Reese Hamilton before he was traded to the Regina Pats, giving the Calgary club three players ranked in the top 81 of North American skaters on the NHL's mid-term list.
Article content
That's another sign of a franchise trending in the right direction.
Article content
'Yeah … well … that's what you're trying to do,' Davidson said. 'You're trying to put together a good team and allow players to move on. That's what we sell to players and their families.
Article content
'So that's a real positive from my perspective.'
Article content
Three Calgary-area talents are expected to come off the board during the pick-em, while a handful of others could be weekend selections, as well.
Article content
Jackson Smith, a product of Edge School, tops that list as the 13th North American skater among ranked prospects.
Article content
The 6-foot-4, 199-lb. defenceman has been a fixture — using his elite skating and logging big minutes — for a 54-point season with the WHL's Tri-City Americans.
Article content
Article content
Deft winger Nathan Behm, of the Calgary Under-18 AAA Royals, is rated 44th after a 31-goal, 66-point season with the Kamloops Blazers.
Article content
And Luke Vlooswyk, another Edge graduate, is ranked 72nd after asserting himself as a towering presence with the WHL's Red Deer Rebels.
Article content
Others draft-eligible Calgarians in the mix include:
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Edmonton Journal
22 minutes ago
- Edmonton Journal
Big name Pittsburgh Penguin linked to Edmonton Oilers, but how can it happen?
Article content There's no shortage of speculation about the future of Pittsburgh forward Bryan Rust, 33. Rust has three years left on a deal that pays $5.125 million per year. Rust has no trade protection clauses whatsoever, so he could go to any team, which has many a reporter, blogger and fan around the NHL hoping he'll end up in their city. Article content Such speculation has spread to Edmonton, where the Edmonton Journal's Jim Matheson said the Oilers would like to acquire Rust, even if such a trade would be difficult to make. 'I said they would like Rust. I didn't say anything about what they would have to give up.' Article content Article content On the Hello Hockey show on Edmonton Sports Talk, host Tom Gazzola and NHL insider David Pagnotta of the Fourth Period also discussed Edmonton's future moves. Article content Article content Said Pagnotta of the Oilers: 'They are looking for another Top 6 guy. Now how the hell they pull it off with their (cap) dollars — like they're $300,000 within the cap. But you know all these teams including the Oilers are looking to make these types of additions.' Article content Pagnotta then mentioned Pittsburgh as one team willing to move out players, including Rust and fellow scoring forward Rickard Rakell. 'They're willing to sell, but it's a high price. So, that's why there's not really much going on (right now).' Article content On Oilers Now today, host Bob Stauffer didn't seem bullish on the notion that any big move was coming this summer for the Oilers, though he did say that maybe by October the Oilers might be able to move out a forward under contract. 'I don't think there's anything pending, though. Just know things can change. Situations are fluid.' Article content Article content Article content My take Article content 1. No surprise to hear that the Oilers are interested in Rust. Which team isn't? What would be surprising is for Rust to end up here. He's got no trade protection whatsoever, so he even if he wanted to force a trade to a contending team like Edmonton, he's got no leverage to push for such a move. Article content 2. Why is it unlikely he'd come to Edmonton? All kinds of teams have the cap space needed to take on Rust's contract for the next three years. The Oilers do not. If Pittsburgh wants to be clear of Rust without having to cover any of his salary, they'll move him to a team with ample cap space. Article content 3. Most experts who rank NHL prospects indicate that Edmonton has fewer top prospects than other teams. That means other teams who want Rust just as bad as the Oilers can offer more to get him, one more reason he's not likely to be coming to Edmonton. Article content 4. As I see it, at the trade deadline the Oilers are going to have room to make on big trade. They'll give up their 2027 first round pick to do so and use whatever cap space they can muster by then. It's possible that Rust might be available then, but it's unlikely Edmonton would win the bidding war for him.
CTV News
2 hours ago
- CTV News
Glenn's Golf Tips: Use the putter that's right for you
Calgary Watch Putting is such an important part of the game of golf, and for this week's golf tip, we look at trying a new putter. How well will it work?
Canada News.Net
2 hours ago
- Canada News.Net
McLeod Bethel-Thompson in spotlight as Alouettes take on Stampeders
(Photo credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images) Veteran McLeod Bethel-Thompson will be back behind center when the Montreal Alouettes visit the Calgary Stampeders on Thursday night. Bethel-Thompson, 37, will be running the Alouettes (4-2) after starter Davis Alexander was placed on the six-game injured list due to a lingering hamstring problem. Alexander reaggravated the injury during last week's 26-25 comeback victory over the Toronto Argonauts. He missed games in Weeks 4 and 5 due to the same injury and returned to the field after a bye in Week 6. Bethel-Thompson started the two games Alexander missed and Montreal lost both. He has passed for 472 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions this season. The two-time Grey Cup champion (one as a starter) with Toronto is ready for the lengthy starting role and vowed to limit the mistakes he made in his two recent starts. 'I expect to play well every time I'm on the field,' Bethel-Thompson told reporters. 'I expect to execute 100 percent. 'There were four or five bad decisions or missed calls, a little bit of everything -- I felt like both games were decided over about four or five plays. A game has about 55 to 70 plays, and I made four or five that weren't great. Now it's about halving it, going from four to two and then from two to zero and playing a full game, which I've done a few times. I feel more confident. I love this attack.' Calgary (5-1) has won three consecutive games after posting an impressive 41-20 victory over the host Winnipeg Blue Bombers last week. The Stampeders have prospered due to a strong defense. Calgary leads the CFL in points allowed (18.5 per game), offensive touchdowns allowed (seven) and forced turnovers (19). 'Credit to our players first and foremost,' said Stampeders coach Dave Dickenson. 'They're playing hard, they are tackling well, they are making plays. I'd like to give some love to our staff, the entire defensive staff is really doing a good job. The players after we play are saying that we're not very complex, we're just doing our job and that's the sign of a good defense -- just doing our job.' Calgary quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. ranks second in the league with 1,720 passing yards. He has thrown eight touchdown passes and six interceptions. Adams is in his first season with the Stampeders. He played for Montreal from 2016-22.
