2023 Calgary Flames Draft Preview: Top 5 Winger Targets
By Nathan Smith
Gabriel Perreault
This draft is full of young, promising talent with lineage behind them, a sentence which could perfectly describe Gabriel Perreault, son of long-time NHLer Yanic Perreault, who is as offensively talented as anyone (bar the No. 1 pick) in the entire draft. He is great on the powerplay, on the breakaway and can be a key piece for any NHL offence for years to come, and while he needs work defensively, his presence overcomes that in a big way.
Perreault has the talent to score inside and on the perimeter, and with his vision, playmaking, passing and fantastic shot, he could make an impact immediately, and if there’s a chance that the Flames can land him at No. 16, he could be the game-changer they’ve been seeking.
2022-23 NTDP stats: 63 games, 53 goals, 79 assists, 132 points.
Matthew Wood
A lot of names in this upcoming draft have been on the NHL radar for years, but sometimes, late bloomers emerge, with Matthew Wood being of the latter variety, as he drew major headlines when he scored 45 goals and 85 points for the Victoria Grizzlies of the BCHL back in 2021-22. Despite interest from the WHL, he opted for the NCAA with the University of Connecticut, and while the production wasn’t off the charts, he showed plenty of development into becoming a top player in this draft.
At an imposing 6-foot-4, 183 pounds, Wood has the ability to play on both ends of the ice, and after leading the team in shots this past season, it’s safe to say that he’s exactly what the Flames need if their other targets are off the board at No. 16.
2022-23 NCAA stats: 35 games, 11 goals, 23 assists, 34 points.