The preseason is a great time to get a look at top prospects and first-round picks who haven’t made the jump to the NHL yet. For a rebuilding team like Calgary, this means more potential spots for young players on the NHL roster. These spots can provide both opportunity and pressure for youngsters competing to make the jump to the NHL. During the Flames training camp, there have been plenty of storylines surrounding their prospects. For this article we’ll focus on two first-round picks who are trending in opposite directions; Samuel Honzek and Jakob Pelletier.
Coming Into Camp
Heading into training camp, Pelletier and Honzek had similar stories. Both players were coming off disappointing seasons, plagued by injuries. Pelletier is a small, but skilled player who brings speed, tenacity and energy to his game. Honzek is a rangy winger that uses his size and reach to his advantage. Both players have plenty of upside and potential that helped them become first-round draft picks. Heading into the 2024 Calgary Flames training camp, both players were looking to prove they could realize their potential.
More Than A Pleasant Surprise
Coming off a tough season with the Vancouver Giants in 2023-2024, Honzek had lost some shine. He began training camp at the 2024 Young Stars Classic and didn’t stand out amongst his peers. At the start of the Flames main training camp, it looked certain Honzek would be assigned to the AHL. However, since the start of preseason, Honzek has turned around his game. Honzek has a chances of making the Flames. He has poured in five points in his first three games. The youngster has been an impact player producing offensively while also being sound defensively. He uses his long reach and stick to defend effectively and his speed to transition to offence. Honzek hass shown off all the attributes that made him a first-round draft pick in 2023.
Honzek more than any other rookie has made a strong case that he should be on the Flames opening night roster. If he can continue to show his reliability defensively and some offensive skill, as he did with his short-handed goal in the Flames last preseason game, he’ll make it incredibly difficult for the Flames not to keep him around.
?Flames Goal?
Sam Honzek scores a shorthanded beauty! He continues his incredible preseason!
?: FlamesTV pic.twitter.com/cu1T8FBTcq
— Robert Munnich (@RingOfFireCGY) October 1, 2024
Hitting A Breaking Point
Just two years ago, Pelletier made his NHL debut for the Flames. At the time, he provided the team with a spark and looked to have a future in the league. His energy on and off the ice provided a boost to the Flames and he seemed poised for a big season in 2023-2024. Unfortunately for Pelletier, he was injured last preseason, and wasn’t able to return until January 2024. After returning, Pelletier failed to replicate his 2022-2023 success last year. Heading into this training camp, Pelletier had an opportunity to prove he could regain his form and stick with the Flames. However, he has largely failed to deliver this training camp.
His contract status requires him to clear waivers before being assigned to the AHL. This should give him an advantage over other forwards including Honzek. The Flames would have to risk losing Pelletier on waivers if they try to send him down. Despite this, Pelletier has not had a good enough preseason. Pelletier is lacking confidence and has failed to be the effective player Flames fans saw breakout in 2022. During his first preseason games, Pelletier has been at times invisible. This is not good for a player fighting for a bottom-six role.
Pelletier has been given plenty of chances including the opportunity to play alongside Mikael Backlund and Blake Coleman. Despite getting to play with one of Calgary’s best forward duos, he has remained unremarkable. In the Flames’ second last preseason game, Pelletier had easily his best performance. He was noticeable on a line with Martin Frk and Cole Schwindt as they formed the Flames’ best line for the evening. This performance was a step in the right direction. However, it may be too little too late for Pelletier.
What This Means For Opening Night
There’s concern around placing Pelletier on waivers ahead of the start of the season for fear another team could claim the former first-rounder. However, the reality is that Pelletier hasn’t done enough to earn a spot. It’s tough to give up on a player who saw success in the NHL and who was selected so high, but at a certain point, you have to accept reality. Pelletier was passed on the depth charts last season by Connor Zary and Martin Pospisil. This preseason he’s been passed by Matthew Coronato, Honzek and possibly a few other prospects. This will be one of the most intriguing decisions at the end of training camp in Calgary. Does Calgary place Pelletier on waivers and give a spot to someone who has earned it, or hang on to Pelletier as a 13th forward to avoid losing him for nothing?
For Honzek it’s going to be very difficult to keep him out of the lineup opening night. He’s proven he can compete and contribute at the NHL level. Honzek has shown that he’s earned the coach’s trust by being a fixture on the penalty kill in his preseason games. This trust level in his defensive game is crucial in earning him a spot on a potential fourth line. Fans should fully expect the fourth line to see many iterations as players come up and down from the Wranglers or move up the lineup at times, however, Honzek has earned the right to start the season with the Flames.
Main photo by: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
