Seven Flames prospects who could join playoff run when play resumes

Brad Treliving isn’t ready to commit to anyone or anything when it comes to rounding out his playoff roster.

So, he’s issued a blanket directive to many of his top youngsters hoping to draw in as “Black Aces” – players who will join the Calgary Flames for the playoffs as reserves.

“We’ve identified a group – it’s a big group – and told them all to stay ready,” said the Flames GM, whose task is to identify five additions to the main group of 23 regulars.

“I don’t know who the Black Ace group is yet because I’m not telling four guys, ‘You’re it, and here’s our 28,’ when 28 might turn into 31 or 32. Things have changed — we were going to play best-of-five and bracket rounds and that’s changed. So I want to be sure and have more guys ready before I announce the group.”

Indeed, in the spirit of ongoing fluidity due to COVID-19, there’s plenty of time for the league to change its stated roster size.

If not, the Flames have some tough decisions to make to round out a roster that includes 13 regular forwards and 10 defencemen, with the anticipated return of injured hotshot Juuso Valimaki.

With that much depth at the back end one might assume there’s no need to add farmhands like Rinat Valiev or Alexander Yelesin to the mix.

Alas, assumptions at this juncture are risky, including the notion they’ll actually start camp July 10 or even play at all.

Goaltenders aren’t included in the 28-man list, meaning David Rittich and Cam Talbot will likely be joined by Stockton mainstays Jon Gillies and recently re-signed Artyom Zagidulin, at the very least.

A peek at who is in the mix:

Austin Czarnik

Position: RW

Age: 27

2019-20 AHL statistics: 16 goals │ 17 assists │ 33 total points │ 32 AHL games played

2019-20 NHL statistics: 2 goals │ 1 assist │ 3 total points │8 NHL games played

For the second year as a Flame, the 27-year-old winger found himself on the outside looking in all year. Last year he was a healthy scratch 28 times.

This year he appeared to finally be gaining some traction with a three-game point streak alongside Matthew Tkachuk and Mikael Backlund before suffering a high ankle sprain. Upon his return he was placed on waivers and sent down where he deserves plenty of credit for posting 33 points in 32 games.

A finisher who seems to be pegged as one of those “tweeners” — players who just can’t seem to translate AHL success to the bigs just yet — Czarnik is clearly destined to sign elsewhere this summer.

Should he get some playoff action it could sure bolster his stock.

He has just one game of NHL playoff experience, which came in Game 5 last spring when he replaced James Neal in the lineup.

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Alan Quine

Position: C

Age: 27

2019-20 AHL statistics: 14 goals │ 32 assists │ 46 total points │ 38 AHL games played

2019-20 NHL statistics: 1 goal │ 0 assists │ 1 total point │ 9 NHL games played

No one has more NHL experience in this group than Quine, whose more than 100 NHL spins includes a double overtime winner for the Islanders in Game 5 against Florida in 2016 that stands as his career highlight.

The 27-year-old was fifth in the AHL in points per game, with 46 in 38 outings.

A lock to be included due to his 10 games of NHL playoff experience, his maturity and versatility. He fit in well and scored a big goal in Nashville during his nine games with the Flames this year.

Buddy Robinson

Position: RW

Age: 28

2019-20 AHL statistics: 18 goals │ 14 assists │ 32 total points │ 45 AHL games played

2019-20 NHL statistics: 1 goal │ 0 assists │ 1 total point │ 5 NHL games played

His size and ability to do whatever is asked of him make the 6-foot-6, 225-pound winger another strong candidate to join the Flames playoff party.

In his five games with the big club this year the 28-year-old threw his body around, created great energy, fought and even scored alongside childhood pal Johnny Gaudreau, earning him “Buddy, Buddy” chants from the crowd.

A former 25-goal scorer with the Manitoba Moose, he had 18 this year in Stockton and could more than make up for having just 12 games of NHL experience with a work ethic and frame that could be a nice add if needed in a physical series.

Adam Ruzicka

Position: C

Age: 21

2019-20 AHL statistics: 10 goals │ 17 assists │ 27 total points │ 54 AHL games played

His name may be a surprise on the list to casual fans, as he wasn’t one of the handful of lads in Stockton who made headlines by going on a notable scoring binge this season.

However, over the last month of the season Heat coach Cail MacLean and Flames assistant GM Brad Pascall suggest he may have been the Heat’s top player, accruing almost a point a game over that stretch.

In his first season as a pro, the 6-foot-4, 220-pound Slovak improved steadily as he worked at shedding a reputation for being inconsistent.

“He came on – he was excellent,” said Treliving of the 21-year-old fourth rounder.

“It was a great progression of a young player. Big strong and, at times, a dominant player down there.”

Although he has no NHL experience, he appears destined to be an NHLer who could benefit tremendously from an opportunity like this.

Glenn Gawdin

Position: C

Age: 23

2019-20 AHL statistics: 16 goals │ 31 assists │ 47 total points │ 53 AHL games played

A cerebral centre who can be counted on at both ends of the ice, the 23-year-old led all scorers in Stockton with 47 points in 53 games, proving the Flames did well in inking the junior star as an over-ager following the Blues’ decision not to sign him after picking him 116th overall.

Destined to be a full-time NHLer as early as next season, Gawdin did well to earn the trust of coaches in Stockton who rave about his work ethic and smarts.

Was named an AHL all-star this year as part of a campaign in which his call-up to the bigs wasn’t rewarded with an NHL appearance.

Matthew Phillips

Position: RW

Age: 22

2019-20 AHL statistics: 15 goals │ 18 assists │ 33 total points │ 38 AHL games played

Phillips is skating with Mark Giordano, Michael Stone and a few other regulars at the Dome these days, gaining even more valuable experience.

Alas, he’s perhaps too far down on the depth chart to potentially make his NHL debut in the playoffs where the 5-foot-7, 155-pound winger might have a hard time adjusting right away.

A knee injury derailed a good part of his season in which he was showing signs of returning to form late, capping a 38-game schedule with 33 points.

Alexander Yelesin

Position: D

Age: 24

2019-20 AHLstatistics: 1 goal │ 4 assists │ 5 total points │ 38 AHL games played

Should the Flames opt for defensive depth, Yelesin is the choice.

The 24-year-old right shot defender from the KHL fared well in his first year in North America, playing four games with the Flames and 38 with the Heat where he adjusted well to the AHL game.

He has another year left on his contract, so could benefit from being with the group and seeing what the playoffs are about.