The Calgary Flames have inked another young CHL player to an entry-level deal, signing Glenn Gawdin to a three-year contract. Gawdin was originally a fourth-round draft pick of the St. Louis Blues in 2015 but never signed, becoming a free agent. He’s currently playing as a 20-year old in the WHL for the Swift Current Broncos.
Though Gawdin has been an effective player throughout his junior career, this season has been spectacular as he plays against younger competition. With 40 points in 18 games, he ranks third in the WHL in scoring and only trails two of his own teammates. He’ll be heading to the AHL next year in all likelihood, but with experience at center ice could be on a fast track to Calgary.
- Mike Chambers of the Denver Post gives us an early snippet of NCAA free agent interest, reporting that Colorado Avalanche assistant GM Chris MacFarland has been scouting the University of Denver’s home games with an eye on defenseman Adam Plant. Plant is a small, mobile defenseman who serves as an alternate captain for DU and would be the latest in something that has become somewhat of a trend in Colorado. Over the last six months they’ve acquired both Cale Makar and Samuel Girard, both smaller, mobile defenders themselves.
- NHL.com’s resident prospect guru Mike Morreale profiles seven 2018-eligible prospects that have raised their stock so far this season, and includes Bode Wilde from the US National Team Development Program. It’s not the last time you’ll hear Wilde’s name, as he appears near the top of most prospect lists so far. TSN’s Craig Button even has him ranked sixth overall on his list, noting that he commands every game he plays in. Wilde is the latest big, strong two-way defenseman developed in the NTDP, and could hear his name called in the top third of the first-round next June. He’s committed to the University of Michigan for 2018-19.