2023 Calgary Flames Draft Preview: Top 5 D-Man Targets
The Calgary Flames have landed the No. 16 pick in the 2023 NHL Draft after their mediocre 2022-23 campaign, and while that may usually not be a pick of high quality, this is one of the deepest drafts in recent memory, with star power littered throughout the first round. The Flames have so many needs in this draft, with a prospect group that needs much more elite talent, but there’s no more pressing need than an elite defensive prospect, so if that’s the way they look to go at No. 16 overall, who should Flames fans be keeping an eye on?
While the team are highly unlikely to see one of the very top defenceman fall to them, this is a deep group, and the following are five realistic targets on the blue line for Calgary to target come July 1.
5. Theo Lindstein
The Flames have had great success drafting Swedish defenceman in recent years, with both Rasmus Andersson and Oliver Kylington falling to them in the second round back in 2015, and they could follow that up with another in Theo Lindstein, who split his age-16 season between Swedens top junior league and the SHL, meaning he’s more than physically ready for the NHL very soon.
Brynäs young D Theo Lindstein, available for the 2023 NHL draft, scores his first SHL 🚨 and it is a game winner! I've mentioned him before and he should be a late 1st round or early 2nd, add him to the list of guys you should be happy if #LGRW picks. pic.twitter.com/B9rsuFJUTo
— Lars Thorsell (@LarsThorsell) January 28, 2023
Standing at 6-feet tall, weighing 181 pounds, Lindstein has a very high hockey IQ, great skating ability and potential on both ends of the ice, and while it may take him some time to develop as he just turned 18 earlier this year, but if Calgary can wait, he could be the perfect replacement for someone like a Noah Hanifin or Nikita Zadorov on this team.
2022-23 stats: 3 goals, 6 assists for 9 points in 46 games split between the SHL and J20 league in Sweden.
Mikhail Gulyayev
The 2023 NHL Draft for Calgary should no doubt be about swinging for the fences, and if that’s the case, Mikhail Gulyayev should be one of their top defensive names on the board, as he has more offensive upside than most blue-line prospects in the upcoming draft.
The pass by Mikhail Gulyayev here is incredible. His lateral movement opens up the very slim passing lane to his teammate in the slot and he wires a pass against the grain onto his stick and the rebound goes in. He kept his head up and was very patient. This is in the KHL. pic.twitter.com/FvfOoZPgbz
— Sebastian High (@high_sebastian) December 7, 2022
His defensive play certainly needs work, and while he struggled to step up and score in his debut season in the KHL this past year, he certainly thrived before that, scoring more than a point per game, showcasing some immense playmaking potential alongside solid physical attributes and skating.
2022-23 stats: 2 goals, 23 assists for 25 points in 22 MHL games, 0 goals and 1 assist in 13 KHL games.
Oliver Bonk
While it’s not always a good idea to draft someone based on their pedigree, it’s clear that Oliver Bonk, son of long-time NHLer Radek Bonk has been groomed for stardom for quite some time, and after an incredible OHL campaign last year, he is now ready to take his two-way game to the next level.
Oliver Bonk (#2023NHLDraft) wins it in the shootout for the London Knights with this beautiful backhand deke.
— Hadi Kalakeche (@HadiK_Scouting) March 3, 2023
Did I mention he's a defenceman? pic.twitter.com/cGaQNY2ME4
Standing at 6-foot-1, 176 pounds, Bonk has the size, speed and talent to be a star at the NHL level, and at 18-years of age, he’s going to get better and better as time goes on, and while there are other defenceman that could be seen as a higher ceiling, there’s very few that have the floor that Bonk does. His size won’t intimidate anyone in the NHL, but he uses every inch of his body to play a physical game, and with plenty of potential as a playmaker, especially in the transition game, the Flames could do a lot worse.
2022-23 stats: 10 goals, 30 assists for 40 points in 67 games for the London Knights of the OHL.
Tomas Willander
All the attention on the Swedish prospects in this draft may go towards the next pick on our list, but Tomas Willander is every bit as capable, and while Tomas Willander has less experience in the SHL, he’s proven to be a physical, talented presence in the Swedish junior leagues. After failing to score in the U20 competition a season ago, Willander used last year to develop his game in both phases, with his composure and confidence standing out among other prospects, he could be a fantastic consolation if the top Swedish D-man is off the board.
Tom Willander has had all sorts of helium as the draft draws closer.
— /Cam Robinson/ (@Hockey_Robinson) June 19, 2023
He's not the biggest player, but he loves to finish checks, skates beautifully, and may just have some extra offense buried under there.
I like him. pic.twitter.com/TApbixcXKN
Despite his fantastic play offensively, especially in transition, he is more than capable of a physical style of play defensively, and if he could continue to develop in Sweden before joining the Wranglers, the Flames would no doubt have a long-term answer on the blue line on their hands if this is the play.
2022-23 stats: 4 goals, 21 assists for 25 points in 39 games at the J20 level in Sweden.
Axel Sandin-Pelikka
He may not be the top defensive prospect on the board, but Axel Sandin-Pelikka is expected to be one of the best overall players on the board in this draft, with experts predicting he could be drafted anywhere from pick No. 10 all the way down to 20, and if he’s there at No. 16, the Flames should sprint to the podium with the pick. While he stands at just 5-foot-11, ASP has become renowned for his offensive play with very few, if any mistakes throughout his career in Sweden, and if given the proper time to develop, he’s expected to be a top blue liner for years and years to come.
Across all competitions this past season in Sweden and the International game, ASP racked up 75 points in 93 games, and with his leadership and smooth offensive game, there’s no doubting that this is the pick the Flames should make at No. 16, unless we see a major fall from another top star.
2022-23 stats: 16 goals, 20 assists for 36 points in 31 games in the J20 league.