Calgary Flames Daily: Prospects hoping to shine against Canucks

After a days rest, some Calgary Flames players will be facing the Vancouver Canucks tonight in another preseason match-up.

With another preseason game tonight, we can say for the second time this season, “It’s game day!” After a pair of rough games against the Edmonton Oilers in their split-squad games on Monday night, the Calgary Flames will try to recover against the Vancouver Canucks.

After Monday night, the Flames cut their roster size by 21 players. And for tonight, it’ll mostly be a game of rookies/prospects.

Looking at the lineup for tonight, there’s only a handful of players with years of actual NHL experience. Head coach Glen Gulutzan wants to separate the good from the bad, basically. Who will be able to carry themselves at the NHL level?

Via Calgary Herald:

"We have tryout guys and young guys here that are pushing for spots, and now we need some separation. As every game passes, you know that the lineups will get a little thinner and maybe you miss an opportunity. So we just want to see who separates themselves in these types of games."

One player so far who has been shining is the Flames’ most recent first-round draft pick, D Juuso Valimaki.

Related Story: Flames Select D Juuso Valimaki With The 16th Pick

Gulutzan again was praising the 2017 16th overall draftee. And even used the words “fantastic prospect”.

Via Calgary Herald:

"I thought he was good.You can see some of that young poise in some of the plays he made, and for a young guy, he certainly doesn’t play with any panic in his game. I think that’s going to translate well. He’s a fantastic prospect — that’s for sure."

And for the 18-year old, it’s definitely been a busy off-season. Busy, yet probably one of the most exciting summers he’s ever had and will ever have.

"I feel pretty confident in myself after the game. There were great players on the ice, and I can play against those guys and defend against those guys and be myself out there.After the warm-up, I’m like, ‘I’m here playing with these guys.’ It’s pretty cool.But you kind of get used to it quickly and keep playing. It feels great."

Another player impressing and making the most of these exhibition games is the Flames 2012 first-round draft pick, C Mark Jankowski. After participating in multiple training camps so far, he finally made his NHL debut this past season. But he’s hoping for more than just one game this season.

"Whatever I can do to help the team and show management I can help make this a better team and help this team win.I’ve got to go out there and make plays – that’s my game. Every shift I felt more comfortable."

Flames Tweet of the day

Hockey Tweet of the day

Links surrounding the Flames

Flames lineup short on star power going into exhibition class against the Canucks (Calgary Herald).

Francis: Valimaki, Jankowski are both shiny gems for the Flames (Calgary Herald).

Flames d-man Hamonic relieved to have first pre-season contest out of the way (Calgary Herald).

Calgary Flames may have ‘handed’ election to Nenshi: political analyst (Global News).

Links surrounding hockey and the NHL

New Jersey Devils centre Brian Boyle battling cancer (Pucks and Pitchforks).

Sept. 19: NHL Preseason Roundup (NHL.com).

Jagr in touch with 2-3 NHL teams (TSN).

Golden Knights working to get ‘on the same page’ (NHL.com).

Next: Who will be playing on Sam Bennett's wing?

For your convenience, Sportsnet will be showing the game tonight, following the Blue Jays game! Let’s just hope it doesn’t go to like 12 innings or something.