Calgary Flames 2018 NHL draft profile: RW Riley Sutter

It’s time for us to go through some draft profiles! With the Calgary Flames not having a pick until the fourth-round, let’s check out some possibilities.

We’re in draft season! The NHL combine happened last weekend. While there was the top 100 ranked draft picks attending, the Calgary Flames don’t have a pick until the 105 overall (for now). Nevertheless, they were still there and still talked to lots of players.

But with the Flames not having a pick until the fourth-round, it’s hard to get excited. Let’s remember though, Johnny Gaudreau wasn’t drafted until the fourth round! And look how great that turned out to be.

The Flames may end up getting a draft pick earlier. Reportedly, Brad Treliving told the other GMs at a GM meeting in March that he was planning on trading for a first-round pick. He could be trading someone for a top-six forward instead or trading a defenceman for another defenceman. We’re not exactly sure yet.

That being said, let’s check out a draft profile! This guy’s last name should be familiar.

Related Story: Flames at the 2018 NHL Draft

Who is Riley Sutter?

Name: Riley Sutter

Birthplace: Calgary, AB, Canada

Position: RW

Shoots: Right

Birthdate: 1999-10-05

Height: 6’3” / 191 cm

Weight: 93 kg / 205 lbs

Team: Everett Silvertips

League: WHL

Stats from 2017-2018

Stats with Everett Silvertips, regular season (from eliteprospects.com):

Stats with Everett Silvertips, playoffs:

Former Drafts

2014

• Round 6, 125 overall: Everett Silvertips, WHL Bantam Draft

Rankings for 2018 NHL Entry Draft

• #55 by TSN’s Bob McKenzie (January)
• #80 by NHL Central Scouting (NA Skaters)
• #96 by Hockey Draft Central
• #100 by Future Considerations

ISS Hockey ranked him at #16 back in October, claiming that he is a “power forward, plays a hard & tough game, can produce more this year, looks faster & quicker.”

Scouting Report

Sutter comes from a long line of hockey players. Entering his third season with Everett, Sutter is coming off a 20-goal season that saw him get 11 of those on the power play. His long reach gives him the ability to poke pucks loose and keep the puck away from defencemen. Likes to play inside the dots and collect passes and get off a shot quickly. Good two-way player who calls himself a playmaker but the loves to shoot. Good anticipation gives him the edge to get in front of defenders and gain advantage of space in front of the net and around the crease. Does a good job of opening up space for himself and getting open. Has good physical size but is rarely seen engaging in any physical play but it will continue to grow along with him.2016-17 Season: Sutter finished his first 20-goal season as an underager last season while adding 19 assists in 67 games. Saw time on first power play unit and proved he can clean up the play in front of the net and put the puck in the back of the net. (Hockey Now’s Marshall Mackinder)

Where does he fit in with the Flames?

Well, first of all, with his last name, he definitely belongs somewhere within the Calgary Flames organization. He’s the son of Ron Sutter, who played in one season with the Flames, and has been working for the Flames since he retired in 2001, as a scout and director of player development.

At the NHL combine, Riley Sutter was in attendance and did speak with the Flames, however, the Flames did talk to a lot of the players, so that isn’t something to keep an eye on.

According to analysts, it doesn’t seem like Sutter will make it into the NHL relatively soon. And if he does, he seems like he may most likely reach a bottom-six type of role. But let’s look at what he can do and what he can potentially bring to an NHL team, specifically the Calgary Flames.

Sutter has a great and fast wrist-shot. Right now, the Flames are somewhat lacking in the RW department and in the right-shooting department – two areas which Sutter fits into. The Flames’ bottom-six has been somewhat lacking for a couple years now and they seem to rely heavily on just a few forwards, something GM Brad Treliving has recognized as well this off-season.

Depending on where the Flames will be in a couple of years and who they’ll have, it’s hard to say who will still be in Stockton and who can play with Sutter. Players like Dillon Dube, Matthew Phillips, or Glenn Gawdin could still be in Stockton by the time Sutter will reach the Pro level, but again, it’s hard to say.

Something the Flames do struggle in is their powerplay, something Sutter is good at. While he’s a big guy, he isn’t physical. However, if he may just become a bottom-six winger, he may need to learn to check a little more. Something to note is that Sutter did hit somewhat of a late growth spurt, so he’s only now getting used to his size, and the physicality will come as he continues to progress.

But again, with a player that won’t be taken until the third or fourth round, it’s hard to say what they can bring to the team since they most likely won’t make it to the NHL for at least two-three years.

Damn it Flames. You guys just had to trade all your picks away, didn’t you?

Let’s look at some of his highlights:

Next: 2004 Cup run - Where are they now?

I think if Riley Sutter is still available by the time the Flames draft in the fourth round, he can be a safe pick. It’s hard to know who the Flames have been keeping their eyes on. While I don’t think Sutter will become another Johnny Gaudreau, it’s hard to predict where he’ll be in five years.

Maybe the Flames will have yet another Sutter in the organization.