2023 Calgary Flames Draft Preview: Top 5 Center Targets

Otto Stenberg

Each and every year, the NHL Draft proves to be more confusing and surprising as the last, and with so many prospects ranging from top-10 to the second round, it’s hard to get a gauge on much of the talent, with few more difficult to judge than Sweden’s Otto Stenberg. In terms of high-end talent, there’s few better prospects than Stenberg beyond the consensus top-five, who is one of the most well-rounded players in this years draft, and with a great knowledge for the game along with his intensity and hockey IQ, if he somehow falls to No. 16, Calgary should be all over him.

His consistency against top tier competition is yet to come, but with time and experience, that will no doubt develop, and if the Flames truly do want a rebuild that they can be patient with, Stenberg could be a key piece of that going forward.

2022-23 J20 stats: 29 games, 11 goals, 15 assists, 26 points. 

Dalibor Dvorsky

While the Flames aren’t expected to see a top, top tier prospect drop to them at No. 16, there could be a slide from some of the second tier names, and if Dalibor Dvorsky is still on the board, it doesn’t matter who the Flames have targeted, he needs to be the pick. At 6-foot-1, 201 pounds, he is a two-way star in the making, and while he struggled to make an impact on the score sheet while playing in the second tier Swedish league, he established himself as a force on both ends of the ice with plenty of potential and room to grow.

His biggest strength offensively is his lightning quick shot and his ability to score from anywhere, and with so few center’s in this draft beyond the top level seeing such an active game on both ends, he separates himself, and with the Flames looking for a difference maker, this is a pick they need to fall into their lap.

2022-23 J20 stats: 10 games, 10 goals, 11 assists, 21 points.