Jun 27, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; A general view of the complete draft board after the completion of the first round of the 2014 NHL Draft at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
The Calgary Flames hold nine picks in the upcoming NHL Draft that will take place in Sunrise, Florida on June 26th and 27th. Thanks to their successful NHL season they will be selecting a little later than they have in the past few years. Sean Monahan was taken 6th overall in 2013 and Sam Bennett went 4th to the Flames at last year’s event.
After finishing this season with 97 points and defeating the Vancouver Canucks in the first round of the postseason, Calgary is set to take the podium with the 15th selection. This draft is going to be a very deep one, perhaps as good as any since the infamous 2003 draft that saw players such as Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf go in the second half of the first round, and Shea Weber and Patrice Bergeron picked in the second round.
This will leave the Flames with a chance to add a very interesting prospect at 15th overall and also a chance to add future NHL talent with their trio of second round picks and pair of third rounders. Unfortunately, the Flames provincial rivals hold the first overall pick again and will come away with Connor McDavid, the best prospect since Sidney Crosby.
Without further ado, here is how I see the first round shaking out when the draft takes place in less than two weeks.
Jun 27, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Edmonton Oilers general manager Craig Mactavish announces Leon Draisaitl (not pictured) as the number three overall pick to the Edmonton Oilers in the first round of the 2014 NHL Draft at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
1. Edmonton Oilers
2. Buffalo Sabres
3. Arizona Coyotes
4. Toronto Maple Leafs
5. Carolina Hurricanes
Next: Picks 6-10
Jun 30, 2013; Newark, NJ, USA; New Jersey Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello speaks on the phone during the 2013 NHL Draft at the Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
6. New Jersey Devils
7. Philadelphia Flyers
8. Columbus Blue Jackets
9. San Jose Sharks
10. Colorado Avalanche
Next: Picks 11-15
Jun 27, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Samuel Bennett poses for a photo with team officials after being selected as the number four overall pick to the Calgary Flames in the first round of the 2014 NHL Draft at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
11. Florida Panthers
12. Dallas Stars
13. Los Angeles Kings
14. Boston Bruins
15. Calgary Flames
Next: Picks 16-20
Jun 30, 2013; Newark, NJ, USA; Anthony Mantha puts on a team jersey after being introduced as the number twenty overall pick to the Detroit Red Wings during the 2013 NHL Draft at the Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
16. Edmonton Oilers (from Pittsburgh Penguins)
17. Winnipeg Jets
18. Ottawa Senators
19. Detroit Red Wings
20. Minnesota Wild
Next: Picks 21-25
Jun 27, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Nikolaj Ehlers shakes hands with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman after being selected as the number nine overall pick to the Winnipeg Jets in the first round of the 2014 NHL Draft at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
21. Buffalo Sabres (from New York Islanders)
22. Washington Capitals
23. Vancouver Canucks
24. Toronto Maple Leafs (from New York Islanders)
25. Winnigpeg Jets (from St. Louis Blues)
Next: Picks 26-30
Jun 27, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Nikita Scherbak poses for a photo with team officials after being selected as the number twenty-six overall pick to the Montreal Canadiens in the first round of the 2014 NHL Draft at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
26. Montreal Canadiens
27. Anaheim Ducks
28. Tampa Bay Lightning (from New York Rangers)
29. Philadelphia Flyers (from Tampa Bay Lightning)