Buried inside the always excellent 31 Thoughts column by Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman is a report that the Calgary Flames will try to add a first-round pick in this year’s draft. The Flames previously traded their first this year as part of the Travis Hamonic deal, and if they miss the playoffs could be forced to wait until the fourth round before picking anyone. That’s a long time sitting at the table in Dallas for a team that was extremely disappointing this season, making it obvious why they want to try and reclaim a spot in the first 31.
Interestingly, the New York Rangers were recently confirmed as being open to moving one of their three first-round picks, making them a prime target for Calgary over the coming months. Where the Flames want to select is obviously still a big question mark, as there is a big difference in value between the top and bottom halves of the first round. Should they want to land one of the top names in the draft, they’ll have to make a big pitch to another non-playoff team.
What they’ll be looking to move is also unclear. The Flames have some nice prospects still developing, but it doesn’t make much sense to trade one of them to get a first-round lottery ticket. Instead, it’s more likely that they would be trying to move an NHL roster player of some sort to recoup their lost pick.
Immediately, someone like Sam Bennett comes to mind as a potential trade chip after a third disappointing season in Calgary. Bennett has just 26 points on the season, and hasn’t come anywhere near fulfilling his promise as a fourth-overall pick. Still, he’s just 21 and could be seen as a potential building block player for a team a little further away from their playoff window.
In any case, the fact that Calgary is now looking to get back into the first round is a telling indictment of the way their season has gone. Since looking like a contender willing to trade to solidify what was supposed to be one of the best defense corps in the league, to fighting just for a second wildcard spot, things haven’t gone according to plan. Even with Johnny Gaudreau’s excellent season, Calgary will have to evaluate just what went wrong and how to fix it for 2018-19.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images
Jeff Gorton gets on the phone: “Helllllloooooo Calgary!”
I would think for this scenario most teams in lottery position would want to wait till the balls have been drawn. Good luck though Treviling lol
I’m a fan of Bennett, but I wouldn’t move one of the Rangers’ later first round picks for him unless the Flames threw in another player/pick (nothing too valuable). He’s really young, and maybe you could make the argument that he’s still developing and was rushed into the league to explain his performance, but he also hasn’t really done that much to make you think that he’s on the cusp of a breakout season. Could see the Rangers doing it though since they are still kind of looking for centers.
Flames are just a mess. Not a good team and traded too many draft assets to not make things much better.
Flames are one of the best offence generating teams in the league…they just can’t score lol. A top 4 pick (Bennett) for a late 1st rounder in a shallow draft year and you would think another top prospect would be needed? Bennett is just 21 remember…?
Well not a top prospect I guess…but his value would still be worth more then a “maybe” late 1st rounder. He does have experience with upside still. I was a big Bennett fan (hence my handle) when he first came in, but of course he hasn’t proven anything yet. I believe he has been mis-handled and coddled to much from the get go. Flames mantra of “always earned and never given” was never put forward with this guy. He’s played with basically everyone on this team without finding chemistry…because I believe he’s always been one of those players that has been told he’s the best (Gilmour) without being taught how to get there. Gully is not the coach for this type of player. Sadly…Gully is not a motivator, short of throwing sticks in the stands. If Bennett gets a respected coach like say Babcock that demands attention…I think he can thrive.
You always here some great players laud certain coaches for their success. “I hated him at the time for pushing me so hard, but am I ever greatful for having him teach me…”. That’s what Bennett needs…
Young players benefit greatly when they have a coach who can show them how to build character through adversity. If your a young guy who will work hard and not give up on yourself, teams are usually willing to give you an opportunity to get to the next level.
I’ll trade one of our 1st round picks to Calgary for Matthew Tkachuk and draft the younger brother Brady Tkachuk (both sons of Keith Tkachuk). No one else we want on their roster.
Not Johnny Hockey!? Already top 10 scorer in the league and not even in his prime yet? Not Monahan!? Top scorer in his draft class and looks to be a perennial 30 goal scorer…and not even in his prime yet?