Flames Top 25 Under 25: #14 – Curtis Lazar

#14: Curtis Lazar

Position: F

Age: 22

Team: Calgary Flames

Drafted: 2013 #17 (Round 1, Ottawa Senators)

Last Year Rank: N/A

#14 on our list might the most polarizing of all the Under 25’s in the Flames system. Curtis Lazar arrived in Calgary via trade last season with the Sens and the welcome from fans and critics was luke-warm at best. It feels like you either are all in with Lazar or you’re all out.

The criticism doesn’t come unwarranted. Lazar was a mid first round pick by Ottawa with tons of potential, but in 176 games with the Senators Lazar produced only 36pts. His WHL point totals with the Edmonton Oil Kings (31, 61 & 76) were good reasons to select the British Columbia product that high, but in almost 3 seasons in Ottawa it never seemed to click.

Lazar arrived in Calgary via trade (Jyrki Jokipakka and a 2017 2nd Round pick) on March 1 last season and saw the ice in only 4 games during the regular season, but had some success. He had 1 goal in 2 assists and showed some of the talent that made him a first round pick. Being only 22, the Flames do have some time to develop him, but it should be expected that he will be with the Flames when the 2017-18 season opens. The trade was a win-win for Calgary as they dumped the under-performing Jokipakka and got a solid forward in return who has tons of potential still to come.

(Stats Courtesy Elite Prospects)

by Mark Parkinson