Flames get an intelligent playmaker with Cole Reschny selection

With the 18th overall pick in the 2025 NHL draft the Calgary Flames selected Cole Reschny. The Saskatchewan native has been a player that scouts and fans have kept an eye on since making his WHL debut in the 2022-23 season. In 127 games with the Victoria Royals, he has recorded 48 goals and 104 assists for 152 points. He has also appeared in 15 playoffs, and he has racked up 27 points.

The biggest strength of Reschny's game is his playmaking ability. He has one of the highest hockey IQs in this year's draft, which allows him to anticipate plays before they happen. This allows him to make very creative passes and create plays even when he does not have the puck. This high hockey IQ also makes him very lethal on defense. He's able to get himself into passing lanes, which leads to turnovers or throws off the opponent's offensive attack, causing them to have to rest on the fly.

While there is a lot to like about Reschny's game, there are some areas that bring concerns. Most specifically, his size. He's only 5'10" and 185 pounds, putting him on the smaller side of NHL players. This has caused him to struggle when going up against players who are bigger than he is. This creates the issue of him being bullied by other teams and not being able to make an impact because he's constantly under duress. The hope is that a few years of development and growth will limit these concerns.

Scouts see Reschny as a future middle-six forward, most likely in the center position. However, he may have to move to forward during his development. He is set to play for the University of North Dakota next season and will most likely spend the next couple of seasons there as well. He's likely three to five seasons away from making his NHL debut; however, if he can develop during his college years, he will be a perfect fit for the Flames.