CALGARY – The position of the Calgary Flames` initial first-round draft pick for this summer`s draft will be determined by the NHL Draft lottery results on Monday night.
The Flames will need some luck, contrasting with their late-season performance, to retain their 16th overall pick. Failing to win the lottery means this pick will be transferred to Montreal as part of the 2022 Sean Monahan trade.
Should the Flames beat the slim 0.5% odds to win the lottery, their pick would jump to sixth overall, limited by the lottery rule that allows a maximum jump of 10 spots.
Since the pick is protected if it lands in the top ten, the Flames would keep it and instead send Florida`s late first-round pick (obtained in the Matthew Tkachuk trade) to Montreal.
Assuming the lottery doesn`t result in a significant leap, the Flames are still set to hold two first-round picks: Florida`s late pick and the 18th overall pick acquired from New Jersey in the Jacob Markstrom trade.
Regardless of their exact draft positions, the organization`s main focus in the draft will be on selecting centres.
If they pick sixth overall, the Flames could potentially select from several highly-rated North American centres, including Michael Misa (Saginaw), James Hagens (Boston College), Jake O’Brien (Brantford), Caleb Desnoyers (Moncton), and Roger McQueen (Brandon), all ranked within the top ten among North American skaters.
Notably, Michael Misa`s older brother, Luke, a 19-year-old also drafted by the Flames in the fifth round, recently committed to play at Penn State next season.
Additionally, four international centres are ranked in the top ten internationally: Anton Frondell (Djurgarden), Milton Gastrin (Modo Jr), Eric Nilson (Djurgarden Jr), and Jakob Iha Wozniak (Lulea Jr.).
It`s possible that some of these international centres might still be available when the Flames make their first pick, assuming it falls at 18th overall.
In total, the Flames hold seven picks for the draft starting on Friday, June 27, including their two first-round selections.
General Manager Craig Conroy might consider trading defenseman Rasmus Andersson before the draft if the team can`t agree on a contract extension beyond this season, potentially adding another first or second-round pick to their draft capital.