Calgary Flames 2017 NHL Draft Profile: LW/RW Kristian Vesalainen

With the 16th overall pick, the Calgary Flames have many names to choose from. Let’s look at a possible draft pick with LW/RW Kristian Vesalainen.

With the Calgary Flames getting swept in the first round and the Nashville Predators, the only team behind them, advancing, the Calgary Flames will pick 16th overall at the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. Nobody quite knows for sure if the Flames will actually make a draft pick, though.

With this year’s draft selection not quite being up to par with the last few years, the Flames could be looking to make a trade. The last time they made a trade around the same draft selection choice (15th overall in 2015), they made a trade for Dougie Hamilton. And boy did that work out well.

And seeing what the Flames need for next season (a top four defenceman and goaltending options), a draft selection may not be something they need this year. But nonetheless, let’s look at some draft choices they can pick at that 16th overall pick. Today, let’s look at Finnish forward Kristian Vesalainen.

Who is Kristian Vesalainen?

Name: Kristian Vesalainen

Birth place: Helsinki, Finland

Position: LW, RW

Shoots: Left

Birthdate: 1999-06-01

Height: 6’3” / 192 cm

Weight: 95 kg / 209 lbs

Team: HIFK

League: Liiga

Stats from 2016-2017

Stats with HIFK, Liiga (From eliteprospects.com):

PIM

+/-

91010-1

Stats with Frolunda HC, SHL (From eliteprospects.com):

GP

PIM

+/-

261562-1

Former Drafts

From eliteprospects.com

2016

Round 1, 19th overall: SKA St. Petersburg, KHL Draft
Round 2, 68th overall: Flint Firebirds, CHL Import Draft

2015

Round 4, 54th overall: Waterloo Black Hawks, USHL Futures Draft

Rankings for the 2017 NHL Entry Draft

In September 2016 during the NHL pre-season, TSN’s Bob McKenzie revealed his pre-season rankings and put Vesalainen at 7th overall.

Calgary Flames

Via TSN:

"This big winger, along with [Eeli] Tolvanen, is yet another in the recent long line of top Finnish draft prospects.Some scouts describe Vesalainen as a poor man’s Jesse Puljujarvi, which is to suggest Vesalainen is a big, strong winger who can skate and score, though he isn’t considered to have the elite skill and power of Edmonton’s fourth overall pick last season.But he still has all the tools to be an NHL-caliber winger. Eight of 10 scouts surveyed pegged him in the Top 10."

Sportsnet’s Jeff Marek ranked him at 21st overall in March, claiming that scouts like his big size, but he lacks in the offensive production.

At the end of April, Vesalainen won TSN’s final spot in their Draft Lottery List for the top 15 drafts at this year’s Entry Level Draft.

Scouting Report

"A big and strong winger who has the ability to impact the game in many ways. Plays a versatile, high-tempo offensive game […] A beast along the wall and difficult to move in front of the net […] Skilled hands, possesses a very hard shot with quick release […] A powerful, long stride allows him to build impressive speed and makes him tough to stop. Has the agility and balance as well as the strength and reach to really control possession in traffic and down low. Defensively, he brings imposing pressure on the forecheck, not always playing at full intensity or with consistent effort. When he wants to, he can absolutely dominate physically. Just a toolsy player with very high potential. (Future Considerations)."

Where does he fit in with the Flames?

Flames are somewhat lacking in the RW department, but they’re getting by. With the potential that Vesalainen has, he can spend time with HIFK and develop his skills. He may be able to get a spot with the Stockton Heat and further develop his skills and speed with the pros. He’s a big guy who can make an impact, but he needs to work on his offensive contribution.

Realistically, do I think he’ll play for the Calgary Flames in the near-future? No. The Flames don’t quite need a big guy that has trouble scoring. Do I think he has the potential to develop into an impactful NHL-er? Absolutely. But it may take a few years before he gets a shot at that NHL level.

There’s also the risk of him becoming another Joe Colborne or something of that sort. Having that tall-height but not always contributing offensively. Or a tall but somewhat slow and sluggish player. But there’s also the chance for him to develop into a solid bottom-six forward with his height and size.

Next: TSN's Scott Cullen Envisions Flames Off-Season Plans

That being said, I’d like for him to maybe get a chance with the Heat in the 2018-2019 season and he can learn from the pros and develop. But right now, there isn’t quite a lot of room for him on the roster.