2023 Calgary Flames Draft Preview: Top 5 Center Targets

The 2023 NHL Draft is just days away, and at the present moment, the Calgary Flames will be drafting at pick No. 16 in the first round, and while that could certainly change between now and Wednesday night, it appears they’ll be looking to swing high on potential with a mid-round pick.

Much has been made about the teams need for a top-tier defensive prospect, but if they are indeed looking to go after the best player available as General Manager Craig Conroy has stated, they could look to fill their depth down the middle for the coming years. If that is the case, what players should Flames fans be looking to keep an eye on come draft night?

Brandon Yager

This is widely regarded as one of, if not the most stacked NHL Draft class in recent times, and as such, it’s tough to get a real gauge on some top prospects, with none harder than Brandon Yager, who has been predicted to go as early as No. 12, with some outlets having him fall to the 20’s. As such, it’s hard to tell just how his play will develop at the NHL level, but after two elite goal-scoring campaigns for the Moose Jaw Warriors over the past 24-months, he certainly flashes high-end potential at the next level.

At 6-foot, 160 pounds, Yager’s size doesn’t jump off the page, but with an elite, NHL ready shot and his pure energy and activity on the ice, and while his defensive presence and passing will need some work, if he is the Flames pick at No. 16, they could have themselves a top-six center for years to come.

2022-23 WHL stats: 67 games, 28 goals, 50 assists, 78 points.