Calgary Flames at the 2018 NHL Entry Draft

The Calgary Flames have their picks at the 2018 NHL Draft on June 22nd-23rd. Let’s take a look at their selections and the picks they traded away.

This year’s draft isn’t as exciting as it normally would be for the Calgary Flames. Trading picks away for their guaranteed cup-run year, they failed to qualify for the post-season. So now, they don’t have any picks until the fourth-round and we didn’t even get any Flames playoff hockey.

It has been reported that GM Brad Treliving is interested in trading for a first-round pick. He supposedly revealed that in March at the GM meeting to the other GMs. Who knows if he’ll actually do that or if he decides to trade for a player instead.

For me, personally, I would prefer a top-six winger over a draft pick. Nobody knows for sure who could be dealt, but people are speculating TJ Brodie. Others are speculating Michael Stone, but he may have too high of a price tag for what he’s worth.

That’s being said, let’s move on to all the picks the Flames have/could have had at this year’s draft.

First round

12th Overall: Traded to the New York Islanders

On the second day of the draft last year, the Calgary Flames traded away a first-round pick in 2018 (this pick), a 2018 second-round pick, and a conditional 2019 second-round pick. The Flames got Travis Hamonic in return and a conditional fourth-round pick in 2019.

I know, it’s a little confusing, hopefully this little picture will help clarify.

For the conditional picks, if the Flames give the Isles the second-round pick in 2019, then the fourth-round pick the Flames get will be in 2019. But if the Flames choose to send their second-round pick in 2020, the Isles also send their fourth-round pick in 2020. Per Bob McKenzie, they told me no math would be involved in this job.

During the draft lottery this year, some people ran simulations and the Islanders were winning the first overall pick from the Flames. Which would have made everyone cry. But thank goodness, they only won the 12th pick during the lottery, which put many people at ease.

In fact, the Flames’ final game of the season had much more impact than initially thought. Their dominating 7-1 win over the Vegas Golden Knights for their final game of the season means that Islanders got that 12th pick instead of what would have been the third overall pick that the Carolina Hurricanes won. Phew.

Second round

43rd Overall: Traded to the New York Islanders

Their second-round pick which is the 43rd overall pick is part of the Travis Hamonic deal. I mean, not a whole lot to explain here.

Third round

74th Overall: Traded to the Arizona Coyotes

The Calgary Flames gave their 2018 third-round pick to the Arizona Coyotes in the trade that brought Mike Smith to Calgary. In what was an uneventful morning during the day of the trade freeze, the Flames made a big move by acquiring Smith, in which the Coyotes retained 25% of his salaries. The details of the trade are displayed below:

That conditional third-round pick this year happened because the Flames didn’t make the playoffs. If the Flames made the post-season, that pick would have been a second-round pick in 2019.

Fourth round

105th Overall: Calgary Flames pick

Finally, a draft pick! There isn’t much to say about this pick, or much to say about picks in the later rounds in general. However, fourth-round picks don’t always go unnoticed! Johnny Gaudreau and TJ Brodie were both fourth-round picks for the Flames.

108th Overall: Calgary Flames pick

The Calgary Flames got a fourth-round pick from the Florida Panthers back in 2016 when they traded Jiri Hudler to the Panthers. They also got a second-round pick that they used in 2016 to select G Tyler Parsons.

Fifth round

136th Overall: Traded to the Arizona Coyotes, New Jersey Devils select

Alright, this one’s a little confusing so try and stay with me. The Flames got D Michael Stone from the Arizona Coyotes in February of 2017. For the trade, they sent over a 2017 third-round pick and a conditional fifth-round pick in 2018. The conditions for that pick was if Stone re-signs with the Flames, the Coyotes will get that fifth-round pick this year. And he signed with the Flames, so they got that pick.

Then, the New Jersey Devils traded G Scott Wedgewood to the Arizona Coyotes in October for this pick. Here is a diagram to help you out.

Doesn’t that look much more simple?

Sixth round

167th Overall: Calgary Flames pick

There isn’t much to say about this one either, the Calgary Flames will select with the 167th overall selection that they originally had. And, fun fact, Theo Fleury was taken at the 166th overall pick. So who knows what could result from this pick.

Seventh round

198th Overall: Calgary Flames pick

Again, there isn’t much to say about this one either. Troy Brouwer was selected at the seventh round… if that counts for something.

Next: Prospect update - RW Spencer Foo

TLDR

Basically, the Flames get four picks at this year’s draft and they traded away four this year.