NHL Draft Retrospective: A Look Back At The No. 16 Overall Pick

CALGARY, CANADA - APRIL 2: Nikita Zadorov #16 of the Calgary Flames in action against the Anaheim Ducks during an NHL game at Scotiabank Saddledome on April 2, 2023 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The Flames defeated the Ducks 5-4. (Photo by Derek Leung/Getty Images)
CALGARY, CANADA - APRIL 2: Nikita Zadorov #16 of the Calgary Flames in action against the Anaheim Ducks during an NHL game at Scotiabank Saddledome on April 2, 2023 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The Flames defeated the Ducks 5-4. (Photo by Derek Leung/Getty Images)
1 of 4

After a season of misery for Calgary Flames fans, it was officially confirmed on Monday night that the team would be drafting at the No. 16 overall spot in the 2023 NHL Draft, and while many will be disappointed that they didn’t move up at all in the draft order, it’s not all negative for Flames fans.

Sure, Calgary missed out on two of the biggest names in recent draft memory in Connor Bedard and Adam Fantilli, but this is one of the deepest draft classes we’ve seen, and looking back over the past decade, there’s certainly been plenty of quality found throughout the draft.

But what about the No. 16 overall pick specifically? Today, we are going to take a look back on the past decade of NHL Draft’s and see what type of player has been found at that spot, and if Flames fans should be confident that they can potentially find a future star when the draft rolls around on June 28.