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It’s mock draft season, baby.
We’re a little over a month away from the 2024 NHL Draft, which means we’ll take a look at which players the Calgary Flames may be able to select.
In this article, we’ll look at several mock drafts, such as The Athletic, ESPN, Daily Faceoff, Sportsnet, and The Hockey News. Let’s dig in!
<h2>Scott Wheeler and Corey Pronman pick the first two rounds</h2>
Starting with the most in-depth mock draft, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5501466/2024/05/22/nhl-mock-draft-two-round-predictions-2024/">we have Scott Wheeler and Corey Pronman picking the first two rounds in the upcoming draft for The Athletic</a>. This means we’ll look at four different picks, as the Flames own their first and second round picks, as well as the Vancouver Canucks first rounder (#28) and Dallas Stars’ second-round (at the end of the draft).
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-111384" src="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/Betway-Article-Image.jpg" alt="" width="740" height="222" srcset="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/Betway-Article-Image.jpg 740w, https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/Betway-Article-Image-300x90.jpg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 740px) 100vw, 740px" />
With the ninth-overall pick, Wheeler picked Tij Iginla for the Flames while saying that they should strongly consider Carter Yakemchuk, Berkeley Catton, and Konsta Helenius. While it’s a feel-good story, the Flames have a track record of picking a big-bodied, strong, winger.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Tij Iginla rips it to give Canada a 6-1 lead at the end of the second period. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/U18MensWorlds?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#U18MensWorlds</a> <a href="https://t.co/cgdBSz15B3">pic.twitter.com/cgdBSz15B3</a>
&mdash; TSN (@TSN_Sports) <a href="https://twitter.com/TSN_Sports/status/1784638185974198612?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 28, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Wheeler once again picked for their other first-round pick, picking Finnish left-shot defenceman Leo Sahlin Wallenius. He noted his skating ability, while pointing out they could also pick Charlie Elick and Harrison Brunicke. He’s a good playmaking defenceman with a strong stick.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Leo Sahlin Wallenius (<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/2024NHLDraft?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#2024NHLDraft</a>) is among the smoothest skaters in the draft, and while I&#39;m often left wanting him to push that advantage harder and attempt more plays, he can do pretty cool stuff from time to time. <a href="https://t.co/iQmB4NFc1a">pic.twitter.com/iQmB4NFc1a</a>
&mdash; Lassi Alanen (@lassialanen) <a href="https://twitter.com/lassialanen/status/1770145963975311831?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 19, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
One of the Flames’ biggest needs in the organization is defence, and Wheeler believes that with the 41st overall pick, they’ll select right-shot defenceman Harrison Brunicke, who he said raised his stock in the second half of the season. In his latest Top 64 draft prospects list, Wheeler points to his size, skating ability, and defensive awareness as good tools to build on.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Harrison Brunicke can do it all: Manipulate opponents, create chances, lead the rush, defend. Not a big scorer yet, but high upside and many different ways to impact a game.
He could be a first-rounder in the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/2024NHLDraft?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#2024NHLDraft</a>. <a href="https://t.co/ZaIXDk1gWg">pic.twitter.com/ZaIXDk1gWg</a>
&mdash; Mitchell Brown (@MitchLBrown) <a href="https://twitter.com/MitchLBrown/status/1732813225115394543?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 7, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Lastly, Pronman believes that the Flames will pick a netminder with their final pick of the second round, as he has them selecting Mikhail Yegorov. Pronman points to his athleticism and his upside, but noted that he’s half a decade away from being ready. That’s not a bad thing, as it’ll give the Flames time to evaluate top netminding prospect Dustin Wolf.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Mikhail Yegorov was ranked by NHL Central Scouting as their #1 North American goalie, and it&#39;s easy to see why. He has all the traits and attributes that you want an NHL goalie to have
If Russia had been able to play internationally this year he would have gotten much more buzz <a href="https://t.co/Spg2PIKe4x">pic.twitter.com/Spg2PIKe4x</a>
&mdash; Derek Neumeier (@Derek_N_NHL) <a href="https://twitter.com/Derek_N_NHL/status/1789700618887844042?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 12, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<h2>ESPN’s mock draft</h2>
<a href="https://www.espn.com/nhl/insider/story/_/id/40114470/nhl-mock-draft-2024-lottery-top-predictions-players-order-best">This ESPN mock draft written by Rachel Doerrie only includes the first round</a>, so two of the Flames’ picks this draft.
Unfortunately for Tij Iginla fans, this mock draft has the Montréal Canadiens picking him fifth overall, leading to the Flames picking Anton Silayev, 6’7”, 211 lbs left-shot defenceman from Russia. This season in the Kontinental Hockey League as an 18-year-old, Silayev scored three goals and 11 points, including two assists in five postseason games. Despite his size, Silayev is a good skater who hasn’t even begun to peak. 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
“Potential to be the top pick this year.”
“Elite size and skating.”
“He’s dynamite.”
“Huge upside.”
Those are NHL scouts talking about 6-foot-7 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/2024NHLDraft?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#2024NHLDraft</a> defenceman Anton Silayev. My deep dive on the one-of-one prospect: <a href="https://t.co/Hcd6TI4YdK">https://t.co/Hcd6TI4YdK</a> <a href="https://t.co/CANhqG3WjG">pic.twitter.com/CANhqG3WjG</a>
&mdash; Scott Wheeler (@scottcwheeler) <a href="https://twitter.com/scottcwheeler/status/1715067086995644696?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 19, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Not just that, but the Flames have a track record of trading for big Russian defencemen recently, as they acquired Daniil Miromanov (6’4”, 202 lbs) and Artem Grushnikov (6’1”, 198 lbs) at this past trade deadline.
As for the pick late in round, the ranking is a little out of date as the Flames picked 29th in this article. However, the draft is a crapshoot at this point, and ESPN’s Doerrie has the Flames picking Dean Letourneau. With St Andrew’s College, the 18-year-old centre had a whopping 61 goals and 127 points in 56 games. He stands at 6’7”, 201 lbs with a heavy shot and is committed to Boston College.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Dean Letourneau OT Winner from Game 1!! <a href="https://t.co/jLl30TAuZ2">pic.twitter.com/jLl30TAuZ2</a>
&mdash; Prep Hockey Conference (@thephchockey) <a href="https://twitter.com/thephchockey/status/1761171397596877146?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 23, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<h2>Daily Faceoff’s mock draft</h2>
Unfortunately, this mock draft doesn’t cover the most recent eliminations, meaning that the Flames’ late-round pick isn’t included here, sadly. <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/2024-nhl-mock-draft-post-draft-lottery-top-24">This article is written by Steven Ellis of Daily Faceoff</a>.
Thankfully, this is the only Tij Iginla repeat, as Daily Faceoff has him going ninth-overall to the Flames, what a pick that’d be. It’s noted on his bio that he didn’t dominate the under 18’s, but showed that his game is more than just scoring. Here&#8217;s another Iginla highlight.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Tij Iginla board play, physicality, and forechecking:
Skill inside contact, intercepting contact early, getting pucks off the wall, net drives, and more. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/2024NHLDraft?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#2024NHLDraft</a> <a href="https://t.co/zJsnMl73ol">pic.twitter.com/zJsnMl73ol</a>
&mdash; Mitchell Brown (@MitchLBrown) <a href="https://twitter.com/MitchLBrown/status/1778066743728263594?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 10, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
With the Kelowna Rockets, Iginla scored 47 goals and 84 points in 64 games as a 17-year-old, including nine goals and 15 points in 11 games during the postseason. In reality, he’s probably raised his stock above where the Flames can draft him.
<h2>Sportsnet’s lottery mock draft</h2>
Like Daily Faceoff, Sportsnet’s mock draft (written by Sam Cosentino) only covers the lottery teams, which is good because the Flames have a lottery pick. <a href="https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/nhl-top-16-mock-draft-who-will-go-after-macklin-celebrini/">They project that the Flames will select defenceman Carter Yakemchuk with the pick</a>.
The right-shot defenceman scored 30 goals and 71 points in 66 games with the Calgary Hitmen this past season, while also picking up a hilarious 120 penalty minutes. If you’re curious, his goal total led all defencemen, while his point total was fifth for defencemen, and his penalty minutes were fifth in the entirety of the Western Hockey League.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
And that’s 30 for Carter Yakemchuk‼️ <a href="https://t.co/mwBPkxNsCS">pic.twitter.com/mwBPkxNsCS</a>
&mdash; Calgary Hitmen (@WHLHitmen) <a href="https://twitter.com/WHLHitmen/status/1771711736690749661?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 24, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
He’s mean, big, and has a heck of a shot with a lot of confidence. Skating is his one big flaw, but it’s something that could eventually improve.
<h2>The Hockey News’ mock draft</h2>
The Flames need some centres in the farm system so right-shot centre Konsta Helenius could make some sense. The Hockey News’ Ryan Kennedy notes that Helenius needs to get stronger and will take a few years to develop, but the skill is there.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Konsta Helenius 1+2.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NHLfi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NHLfi</a>-draftin kuumin 🇫🇮 iskenyt 36 otteluun nyt 27 pistettä. Tulevan draftin top 10 nimi.
Ja mikä tärkeintä. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Jukurit?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Jukurit</a> ei häviä jääkiekko-otteluita. 2-5 voitto Porista. 8 ottelun voittoputki, meno kuin Edmonton Oilersilla.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Liiga?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Liiga</a><a href="https://t.co/TiWXI9aMTS">pic.twitter.com/TiWXI9aMTS</a>
&mdash; Heikki Mannonen (@HMannone) <a href="https://twitter.com/HMannone/status/1752407712833356091?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 30, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
In 51 games with Mikkelin Jukurit in SM-Liiga, Helenius scored 14 goals and 36 points, including two goals and six points in six postseason games. On top of that, he played with Finland’s U18 team (seven assists in five games), their U20 World Junior team with a goal and an assist, and their World Championship team, picking up an assist in three games.
Thanks for reading! You can follow me on Twitter @Ryley_L_D.

Be sure to check out the latest <a href="https://betway.com/en/sports/grp/ice-hockey/north-america/nhl">NHL playoff odds</a> with online sportsbook Betway.

It’s mock draft season, baby.

We’re a little over a month away from the 2024 NHL Draft, which means we’ll take a look at which players the Calgary Flames may be able to select.

In this article, we’ll look at several mock drafts, such as The Athletic, ESPN, Daily Faceoff, Sportsnet, and The Hockey News. Let’s dig in!
<h2>Scott Wheeler and Corey Pronman pick the first two rounds</h2>
Starting with the most in-depth mock draft, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5501466/2024/05/22/nhl-mock-draft-two-round-predictions-2024/">we have Scott Wheeler and Corey Pronman picking the first two rounds in the upcoming draft for The Athletic</a>. This means we’ll look at four different picks, as the Flames own their first and second round picks, as well as the Vancouver Canucks first rounder (#28) and Dallas Stars’ second-round (at the end of the draft).

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-111384" src="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/Betway-Article-Image.jpg" alt="" width="740" height="222" />

With the ninth-overall pick, Wheeler picked Tij Iginla for the Flames while saying that they should strongly consider Carter Yakemchuk, Berkeley Catton, and Konsta Helenius. While it’s a feel-good story, the Flames have a track record of picking a big-bodied, strong, winger.

https://twitter.com/TSN_Sports/status/1784638185974198612

Wheeler once again picked for their other first-round pick, picking Finnish left-shot defenceman Leo Sahlin Wallenius. He noted his skating ability, while pointing out they could also pick Charlie Elick and Harrison Brunicke. He’s a good playmaking defenceman with a strong stick.

https://twitter.com/lassialanen/status/1770145963975311831

One of the Flames’ biggest needs in the organization is defence, and Wheeler believes that with the 41st overall pick, they’ll select right-shot defenceman Harrison Brunicke, who he said raised his stock in the second half of the season. In his latest Top 64 draft prospects list, Wheeler points to his size, skating ability, and defensive awareness as good tools to build on.

https://twitter.com/MitchLBrown/status/1732813225115394543

Lastly, Pronman believes that the Flames will pick a netminder with their final pick of the second round, as he has them selecting Mikhail Yegorov. Pronman points to his athleticism and his upside, but noted that he’s half a decade away from being ready. That’s not a bad thing, as it’ll give the Flames time to evaluate top netminding prospect Dustin Wolf.

https://twitter.com/Derek_N_NHL/status/1789700618887844042
<h2>ESPN’s mock draft</h2>
<a href="https://www.espn.com/nhl/insider/story/_/id/40114470/nhl-mock-draft-2024-lottery-top-predictions-players-order-best">This ESPN mock draft written by Rachel Doerrie only includes the first round</a>, so two of the Flames’ picks this draft.

Unfortunately for Tij Iginla fans, this mock draft has the Montréal Canadiens picking him fifth overall, leading to the Flames picking Anton Silayev, 6’7”, 211 lbs left-shot defenceman from Russia. This season in the Kontinental Hockey League as an 18-year-old, Silayev scored three goals and 11 points, including two assists in five postseason games. Despite his size, Silayev is a good skater who hasn’t even begun to peak. 

https://twitter.com/scottcwheeler/status/1715067086995644696

Not just that, but the Flames have a track record of trading for big Russian defencemen recently, as they acquired Daniil Miromanov (6’4”, 202 lbs) and Artem Grushnikov (6’1”, 198 lbs) at this past trade deadline.

As for the pick late in round, the ranking is a little out of date as the Flames picked 29th in this article. However, the draft is a crapshoot at this point, and ESPN’s Doerrie has the Flames picking Dean Letourneau. With St Andrew’s College, the 18-year-old centre had a whopping 61 goals and 127 points in 56 games. He stands at 6’7”, 201 lbs with a heavy shot and is committed to Boston College.

https://twitter.com/thephchockey/status/1761171397596877146
<h2>Daily Faceoff’s mock draft</h2>
Unfortunately, this mock draft doesn’t cover the most recent eliminations, meaning that the Flames’ late-round pick isn’t included here, sadly. <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/2024-nhl-mock-draft-post-draft-lottery-top-24">This article is written by Steven Ellis of Daily Faceoff</a>.

Thankfully, this is the only Tij Iginla repeat, as Daily Faceoff has him going ninth-overall to the Flames, what a pick that’d be. It’s noted on his bio that he didn’t dominate the under 18’s, but showed that his game is more than just scoring. Here's another Iginla highlight.

https://twitter.com/MitchLBrown/status/1778066743728263594

With the Kelowna Rockets, Iginla scored 47 goals and 84 points in 64 games as a 17-year-old, including nine goals and 15 points in 11 games during the postseason. In reality, he’s probably raised his stock above where the Flames can draft him.
<h2>Sportsnet’s lottery mock draft</h2>
Like Daily Faceoff, Sportsnet’s mock draft (written by Sam Cosentino) only covers the lottery teams, which is good because the Flames have a lottery pick. <a href="https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/nhl-top-16-mock-draft-who-will-go-after-macklin-celebrini/">They project that the Flames will select defenceman Carter Yakemchuk with the pick</a>.

The right-shot defenceman scored 30 goals and 71 points in 66 games with the Calgary Hitmen this past season, while also picking up a hilarious 120 penalty minutes. If you’re curious, his goal total led all defencemen, while his point total was fifth for defencemen, and his penalty minutes were fifth in the entirety of the Western Hockey League.

https://twitter.com/WHLHitmen/status/1771711736690749661

He’s mean, big, and has a heck of a shot with a lot of confidence. Skating is his one big flaw, but it’s something that could eventually improve.
<h2>The Hockey News’ mock draft</h2>
The Flames need some centres in the farm system so right-shot centre Konsta Helenius could make some sense. The Hockey News’ Ryan Kennedy notes that Helenius needs to get stronger and will take a few years to develop, but the skill is there.

https://twitter.com/HMannone/status/1752407712833356091

In 51 games with Mikkelin Jukurit in SM-Liiga, Helenius scored 14 goals and 36 points, including two goals and six points in six postseason games. On top of that, he played with Finland’s U18 team (seven assists in five games), their U20 World Junior team with a goal and an assist, and their World Championship team, picking up an assist in three games.

Thanks for reading! You can follow me on Twitter @Ryley_L_D.

Taking a look at some mock drafts, and some players who the Calgary Flames could pick!

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