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Calgary Flames Swing For Upside In Rounds Two And Three

By Nathan Smith

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - JUNE 29: Aydar Suniev shakes hands with Jarome Iginla after being selected 80th overall by the Calgary Flames during the 2023 Upper Deck NHL Draft - Rounds 2-7 at Bridgestone Arena on June 29, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - JUNE 29: Aydar Suniev shakes hands with Jarome Iginla after being selected 80th overall by the Calgary Flames during the 2023 Upper Deck NHL Draft - Rounds 2-7 at Bridgestone Arena on June 29, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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The Calgary Flames made a solid pick in round one of the 2023 NHL Draft when they landed 6-foot-4 Samuel Honzek from the Vancouver Giants by way of Slovakia, and on Thursday, they found themselves on the clock once again in rounds two and three, and this time, they swung big on potential upside.

Heading into this off-season, the Flames were looking to add another defenceman to their prospect pool, and at pick No. 48, they did exactly that, adding Etienne Morin, one of the most offensive minded D-men in the entire draft. At 6-foot-0, 183 pounds, Morin has size along with agility and a two-way ability, and in the QMJHL, he was relied upon in every possible situation, including Quarterbacking their powerplay, and it paid off in a big way.

In 67 games in 2022-23 for the Moncton Wildcats, Morin tallied an incredibly impressive 21 goals and 51 assists for 72 points, and with the Flames need for size, mobility and offensive talent on the blue line, this was a great pick, especially considering some had him tabbed as a first round talent.

Next up for Calgary was the No. 80 pick, acquired in the recent Tyler Toffoli deal, and with that move, the Flames landed 6-foot-2, 205 pound left wing prospect Aydar Suniev from the Penticton Vees of the BCHL after an incredible 2022-23 campaign. While Suniev has faced plenty of criticism for his skating, it’s his shot and his high motor that really shine, and he will have plenty of time to work on that as he heads to the University of Massachusetts for the upcoming NCAA season.

In 50 games this past season alongside second round pick Bradly Nadeau, Suniev managed to put up 45 goals and 45 assists for 90 points, and while he’s still got plenty of development to go, he’s got incredible upside and could one day be seen as the steal of this draft.

So what do you think of the Flames draft thus far? Are we looking at two future Flames right here? Is there someone you wanted the Flames to take instead? Do we have confidence in Craig Conroy and the front office yet? As always, let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

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