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The Calgary Flames are coming off another year
without a playoff appearance. In fact, the Flames have not qualified for the
playoffs since the 2009-2010 National Hockey League season. During that three-year
span, Darryl Sutter stepped down as general manager and Jay Feaster, who won a
Stanley Cup with Tampa Bay, was named his successor.
With Jarome Iginla's career winding down, the Flames
are in need of wingers in their farm system. To remedy that situation, Feaster
drafted Mark Jankowski with the 21st overall selection in the first round of
the NHL Entry Draft.
However, there was another selection of a winger,
which has gone a bit under the radar. That selection came in the sixth round,
when the Calgary Flames selected Swift Current Broncos winger Coda Gordon.
Gordon, who was a rookie last season, was the second
leading scorer for the Broncos. In addition, he also played on the top line
that included Taylor Vause, the Broncos leading scorer.
There is no doubt that Coda is a pure goal scorer.
He scored 30 goals on a sub-par Swift Current team. Moreover, he is an
excellent finisher when it comes to loose pucks and he goes into the dirty
areas, which will make a good impression on Flames head coach Bob Hartley.
Coda is a very competitive player and possesses
excellent hockey sense. However, in order to build upon his success and value,
he must work on his skating and his two-way game.
His skating is very awkward and below average, but
luckily for him, he has time to improve his skating.
Gordon has started second season in Swift Current
with a bang. In five games, he has scored one goal and added four assists. A
second or third season in the Western Hockey League will only help him and as
time progresses he should turn out to be a fine third-line winger for Calgary.
In Wednesday's Prospect Preview, I will profile New
York Rangers prospect Michael St. Croix.
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