The first Canadian team to select in the draft comes at #6, and for the first draft in recent memory, it is not the Edmonton Oilers.
#6 – CALGARY FLAMES
Apr 25, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues right wing Ryan Reaves (75) scores a goal against the Calgary Flames during the third period at the Scottrade Center. The Blues defeated the Flames 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports
TEAM STRENGTHS: there are really none to speak of, this is a team that should have started to rebuild much sooner
TEAM WEAKNESSES: goaltending, scoring, depth
HOCKEY’S FUTURE ORGANIZATIONAL PROSPECT RANK: 20th of 30 teams
UNDER CONSIDERATION: Aleksander Barkov, Sean Monahan, Elias Lindholm, Max Domi
FANSIDED MOCK DRAFT PICK: Flame For Thought Selected Aleksander Barkov
SENSHOT’S CHOICE: Sean Monahan from the Ottawa67’s of the OHL. You build your team down the middle, and the Flames haven’t had a legitimate #1 centre since Joe Nieuwendyk. Monahan will give them that first line presence for years to come, which is ironic that the Flames could now have the centre that they never had for Jarome Iginla, and he is now gone. Monahan is reminiscent of a young Jonathan Toews with his awareness in both ends of the ice and his hockey sense. His stock dropped a little this season as he was the only true threat to score on the rebuilding 67’s, but make no mistake about his talent level. The big question surrounding him has been his desire, one that is unwarranted in my opinion, having watched nearly every game he has played in the past two full seasons.
MOCK DRAFT TO DATE (click on team to view the selection):