Calgary Flames Prospect Update: Stockselius, Basha, the last ones standing

No team within the Calgary Flames organization made the playoffs this postseason, so now starts the quiet break until the draft. Forwards Theo Stockselius and Andrew Basha remain the only prospects within the system still playing postseason hockey.

Let’s take a look at the past week in the Calgary Flames organization.

Welcome to the TWC Calgary Flames prospect update. We have defined a prospect as a skater who has played fewer than 65 NHL games and was born in 2001 or later.

Cade Littler, Forward, Arizona State University, NCAA

Context:

Littler is no longer in the NCAA transfer portal. The former UND Fighting Hawk has officially transferred to Arizona State University for his Junior season.

The Calgary Flames originally selected the East Wenatchee product in the 7th round of the 2022 NHL draft. Littler has been underwhelming in his NCAA career so far, largely serving in a bottom-6 role. After wrapping up his sophomore season with 13 points across 35 games, he needed a change of scenery.

Littler plays a power-forward game best exemplified by strong physicality, an honest compete level, and capable puck skills. The 6’04 forward absolutely shines in the more physical, grittier areas of the game along the boards and in tight.

The main drawbacks of the 7th-rounder’s game include clunky skating, basic hockey sense, and stiffer shooting.

Littler’s Season with UND:

In his final season with North Dakota, Littler played on UND’s fourth line, where he averaged 12:32 TOI, with 1:32 of it spent on the power play. The centreman also had a face-off win rate of 49%.

The 2022 draftee shone as a menacing physical presence wherever he was on the ice due to his frame, hit frequency, and board-play upside. On the defensive side of the puck, Littler was a tough, gritty forward who suffocated opponents with his active stick, muscle mass and crushing 1.08 hits per game.

Littler’s compete level blended seamlessly with his physicality, and this was articulated through high-end play engagement, defensive pressure, and injections of energy every shift. This play engagement helps explain his 11 puck battles (52% win rate) and high-end 0.05 errors leading to a goal.

The American forward was physical, high-octane, and never satisfied, always engaging and mitigating risk, which hints at an above-average motor and quality second efforts on plays.

Offensively, the Flames prospect displayed his hard skill as a net-front screen and downlow supporting menace. Littler particularly excelled in this net front role, as his 6’04 frame, solid balance, and relentless battle made him tough to neutralize for opponents.

From this net front supporter’s role, the American routinely amplified offensive pressure, displayed responsible play reads, strong puck protection mechanics, and implemented quick, effective puck management with rapid decision-making in tight.

This quick decision-making and on-ice vision was best exemplified through his 1.49 scoring chances per game and expected goals rate of 0.28 (despite his 9% conversion rate) in just 48 puck touches per game.

Areas of improvement

Where Littler needs to improve next season with Arizona State University is in his clunky skating mechanics, including a grindy stride, slow/non-existent crossover integration, and lagging stride recovery. Littler is not a transition threat due to top-speed limitations from limited power generation and a low acceleration rate.

Additionally, his shooting mechanics display stiffer shot leverage, with poorer shot selection and accuracy (59%). With more reps in a more offensive-oriented role at ASU, this could improve for the 21-year-old.

Growth in his hockey sense, including awareness, deception, and finishing, could also elevate his hopes of playing pro in the next couple of years.

Overall, Littler remains quite a raw prospect, but shows glimmers of hope with higher-end hard skills, flashes of offensive instincts, and a physical mindset. With improvements to his skating and shooting, his production should improve in his junior season.

Where does Littler fit within the organization?

Littler’s power-forward style is a niche skill set that the Flames appear to quite like. Littler, Laing, and Lane all play a similar type of game. The good thing for Littler is that he has at least another two years to figure out his game before the Flames officially have to decide on whether to sign him.

Littler is a long way from competing for an NHL roster spot, but getting a bigger opportunity at Arizona State will help his development be more consistent in all three zones.

The American forward is very much a wait-and-see project for the Calgary Flames, but it would not be a surprise if he makes the jump to the AHL in two years.