Ranking the Calgary Flames needs in the 2023 NHL Draft
The 2023 NHL Draft is just over a week away, and with the Calgary Flames holding picks No. 16, 48, 112, 176 and 208, there’s plenty of work for them to do as they look to contend for a playoff berth in 2023-24, as well as restocking their somewhat depleted prospect cupboard. With many trade pieces potentially on the way out such as Tyler Toffoli, Noah Hanifin and Elias Lindholm, the Flames have the chance to reshape the entire roster in this draft, but with those picks, where should the team be focusing?
Sure, the Flames have some great talents on the verge of being key pieces in the NHL with Dustin Wolf, Jakob Pelletier, Matt Coronato, Walker Duehr and Connor Zary, but beyond that, the elite level prospects just aren’t there, and in Craig Conroy’s first draft as General Manager, they’ll be looking to swing for the fences on upside. So today, let’s take a look at the Flames biggest needs in this upcoming 2023 NHL Draft.
4. The Flames are set in net, but could target a goaltender
In the past decade, the Calgary Flames have swung and missed on several goaltending prospects, but after landing back-to-back AHL Goalie of the Year and 2022-23 AHL MVP Dustin Wolf in the 7th round of the 2019 NHL Draft, the future appears to be very bright at the position. Still, you never know when injuries can strike, and for that reason, Calgary could still look to target a goaltender late in the draft, but with so many other pressing needs, it’s not a position they’ll use a premium pick on.
The team also have veteran star Jacob Markstrom in net, and after recently re-signing Oscar Dansk, the depth and talent is there for Calgary, but if they want to ensure long-term success, there’s no reason why they can’t take another risk late in the draft like they did for Wolf four years ago.
3. The Flames should be looking to add center depth
Much has been made this off-season already about the future of Elias Lindholm, who has spent the better part of the last five seasons in Calgary as one of, and now their top center, and with uncertainties around him and the rest of the center group, they need to start targeting the future. Mikael Backlund has been a presence on this team for over a decade now, and with his future also up in the air, a center with the No. 16 overall pick wouldn’t be the worst move, and with the rumours swirling around trades this off-season, the team may look to add another first round pick to help their depth.
Ultimately, if Lindholm and Backlund both re-sign, the Flames are set for the immediate future down the middle, but if they want to prioritize future success for this organization, finding an elite center that can grow with their young core is essential for Calgary.
2. The. Flames need to find a top winger
The 2023 NHL Draft is one of the most stacked in recent memory, and at No. 16, the Flames are going to have plenty of options, that is if they don’t go out and land a rumoured top star on the trade market in the days before the draft. Sure, Calgary aren’t going to find themselves with one of the top prospects in this draft, but there’s going to be at least three top names available at No. 16, and with depth for now, they could look to swing for the fences on potential.
Ultimately, if the Flames come out of this draft with a close to NHL ready prospect, it needs to be on the wing, as scoring was a major issue for the team in 2022-23, and with a new regime in charge ready to turn that around, a young, energetic winger to add to this young core would be a blessing.
1. The Flames need to find elite defensive prospects
At the NHL level, the Flames are so set defensively with the return of Oliver Kylington and the emergence of now UFA Troy Stecher that they are looking to move Noah Hanifin in the coming days and weeks, but beyond that, they lack elite level prospects. Sure, Jeremie Poirier, Dennis Gilbert and Ilya Solovyov have potential, but given the age of Chris Tanev and Nikita Zadorov, they need to begin finding future stars for this group right now.
The Flames have time to develop any young prospect they land in this draft, especially on the blue line, and with so much talent in this draft, while they will focus on D with the No. 16 overall pick, they will also allow themselves to be flexible with the pick. Either way, the Flames need to use a premium pick on a defenceman as they look to build a sustained winning culture for the future.