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

By Nathan Smith

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) /
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SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 07: Juuso Valimaki #6 of the Calgary Flames skates with control of the puck from behind his goal against the San Jose Sharks during the second period of an NHL hockey game at SAP Center on April 07, 2022 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 07: Juuso Valimaki #6 of the Calgary Flames skates with control of the puck from behind his goal against the San Jose Sharks during the second period of an NHL hockey game at SAP Center on April 07, 2022 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Solid NHL Players – Nikita Zadorov (2013), Sonny Milano (2014), Juuso Valimaki (2017)

The Calgary Flames fingerprints are all over the ‘solid NHL player’ tier, as they have featured all three of them on their team at one point or another, even selecting D-man Juuso Valimaki with the No. 16 pick the last time they held it way back in 2017.

Beyond that, we’ve got current Flames D-man Nikita Zadorov as a pick of the Sabres back in 2013, as well as 2023 PTO Sonny Milano, and while none of these three have turned out to be franchise changing stars, they’ve all got significant roles with their current team.

Given the Flames need for elite young talent, they’ll be hoping that someone drops to them that can come into the Wranglers and make an impact immediately, but ultimately, they would no doubt settle for a solid contributor like these three if it helps them progress forward in an increasingly tough Pacific Division.

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