The Calgary Flames are closely monitoring the rapid development of William Stromgren, who has emerged as a serious candidate for promotion to the NHL roster following his standout performance with the AHL's Calgary Wranglers.
Coach's High Praise for Improved Performance
Wranglers coach Brett Sutter didn't hesitate when asked about potential call-up candidates during recent roster discussions. "He was the first guy I brought up when they called me," Sutter revealed after the Flames opted to promote Sam Morton and Dryden Hunt earlier this week.
Sutter expressed significant satisfaction with Stromgren's progress, noting substantial improvements in the young winger's game. "I have been really happy with him. He's playing harder and straighter and faster than he's ever played, so I think he's taken major steps," the coach emphasized.
Statistical Dominance and Playmaking Prowess
The 22-year-old Swedish winger has been making his case with impressive numbers this season. Stromgren currently leads the Wranglers in assists with a dozen helpers this fall, placing him among the Top-10 playmakers in the entire American Hockey League.
While primarily functioning as a setup man, Stromgren demonstrated his scoring capability during Tuesday's loss in Bakersfield, beating proven NHL netminder Connor Ingram on a breakaway for his second goal of the season. The Flames' development staff has been encouraging the 6-foot-3 lefty to shoot more frequently, and his recent blocker-side bullet provided clear evidence why.
Fierce Competition in the Development Pipeline
Stromgren faces intense competition within the Flames' prospect pool. The Wranglers' locker room features several promising talents vying for future NHL opportunities:
- Matvei Gridin, 19 - Considered to have serious star potential
- Andrew Basha - Fits more of a sparkplug mold from the 2024 draft class
- Aydar Suniev, 21 - Appears to be translating offensive gifts to the professional game
- Rory Kerins, 23 - Operates as Wranglers' first-line center but has played wing in NHL appearances
Ray Edwards, who leads the Flames' player development department, acknowledged the competitive environment. "I think William is aware of where he's at now in terms of his development and that other people are coming," Edwards stated. "You see it this year with Grids and Aydar and Bash all there. There's a whole new crew of younger guys coming that he has to separate himself from. But I think he's done a good job."
Consistency Key to NHL Ascent
Stromgren's current position represents a significant rebound from last season, when he was on the call-up radar midway through the 2024-25 campaign but faded from consideration with a quiet second half.
Edwards highlighted consistency as the remaining hurdle for the second-round pick from 2021. "He's been more consistent this season. Now, he still has to be better there," Edwards analyzed. "I don't know the exact number, but if he's played 15 games, I would say that 11 have been really good games. But that needs to be 15, right?"
The young forward himself recognizes both his progress and the work ahead. "I feel like I have turned around a lot of things in my game that have become better," Stromgren told Postmedia before the Wranglers departed on their extended road trip. "The defensive stuff, without the puck, I feel like I've done a great improvement. But I have a far way to go."
With the Flames struggling at the bottom of the NHL standings, fans are increasingly interested in prospects who could represent the franchise's future. Stromgren's combination of size, speed, playmaking ability, and puck-protection skills makes him an intriguing candidate for what could be his NHL debut in the near future.
