Could the Calgary Flames move up in the NHL Draft?
If the Calgary Flames decide they wanted to move up in the first round of next Friday's NHL Draft, it might not be as hard as normal to find a willing trade partner this year.
Article content
That hasn't generally been the case in recent drafts, as teams have desperately clung on to their first-round picks.
Article content
Article content
'My first year, I don't think we had a player move or a team move up or down, it just didn't happen that year,' said Conroy, who started as the Flames GM just before the 2023 NHL Draft. 'People really liked that draft, and I'm not saying they don't like the draft this year, but they might be saying 'I can get the same player if I go from position A and move back four or five spots.'
Article content
'They're willing to do that because no one is really locked in and feels like they know exactly the way this draft is going to go. There are good players, you're going to like these players, it's just a matter of which team likes them and where they're going to take them.'
Article content
Article content
The Flames have two picks in the first round of Friday's draft, Nos. 18 and 32, and definitely could use a potential first-line centre if one was available. That's true of a lot of teams, of course, but for the Flames in particular.
Article content
If they were to package both of their first-rounders or include a player, they likely could build an intriguing package that could move them into the top-10 if someone they really liked was available.
Article content
Article content
Working in their favour, as well, is the way the draft lottery played out. The Utah Mammoth, who are drafting fourth overall, the Seattle Kraken, at ninth, Columbus Blue Jackets, at 14, and a couple other teams are not strictly in rebuilding mode. They're trying to get better as soon as next season.
Article content
Article content
'Teams are looking to make trades and use those picks to get players to help their team right now,' Conroy explained. 'Everyone wants to make a push, it feels like, and they say they want to get better next year. With draft picks, they're going to take some time. You'd love to say they're going to play next year, but the reality is you see how many players do that every year and even in that second year, it's not easy.
Article content
'It really is a three-, four- or five-year window before these guys are ready and some teams feel like they're closer and ready to make that push now, whether it's to get into the playoffs or take that next step in the playoffs.'
Article content
None of this is to say the Flames necessarily will make a move and the uncertainty of who will be picked – and when – might actually make it more challenging to pull off trades in advance.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
Toews signing with Winnipeg Jets
Toews signing with Winnipeg Jets Jonathan Toews is signing a one-year deal with his hometown NHL team.
CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
Flames appoint Brett Sutter as head coach of AHL's Wranglers
Calgary Flames centre Brett Sutter, right, celebrates his goal with teammate forward Blake Coleman during second period NHL pre-season hockey action against the Edmonton Oilers in Calgary, Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022. Sutter, who is the son of Darryl Sutter, was named head coach of the American Hockey League's Calgary Wranglers on June 20, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh Brett Sutter has been named the head coach of the Calgary Wranglers, which is the American Hockey League affiliate of the NHL's Flames. The son of Darryl Sutter, who was twice head coach of the Flames and once the team's GM, moved into the coaching ranks last season after appearing in 1,090 AHL games and 60 NHL games. 'This is an organization that I am very familiar with having history as both a player and coach,' Brett Sutter said Friday in a statement. 'Having spent a lot of time at this level, I understand the role in developing players and have firsthand knowledge of what a great group we have here to work with. I can't wait to get started.' The 38-year-old from Viking, Alta., was drafted by the Flames in the sixth round (179th overall) in 2005. He scored in his NHL debut with the Flames on Dec. 23, 2008. Sutter ranks fourth in all-time AHL games and recorded 198 goals, 265 assists and 893 penalty minutes. He had two goals and eight assists in the NHL with stints with Calgary, the Minnesota Wild and Carolina Hurricanes. 'We feel that Brett is the right coach to continue working with our young players, and we are excited to be able to have him guide their development,' said Wranglers GM and Flames assistant general manager Brad Pascall. 'Brett's knowledge of our players, years of experience at this level and familiarity with our organization made this a great fit for both sides.' Previous Wranglers head coach Trent Cull was promoted to assistant coach of the Flames. Darryl Sutter was head coach of the Flames from 2002 to 2006, and 2020 to 2023. He was also Calgary's general manager from 2003 to 2010. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 20, 2025.
CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
Cavalry FC trying to ‘hang ten' against Pacific FC
Pacific FC's Terran Campbell, left, and Cavalry FC's Jose Escalante battle for the ball during first half soccer action in the Canadian Championship quarterfinal in Calgary, Alta. on Sept. 22, 2021.(THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh) After a rough start to the year, Cavalry FC is on a roll. They've moved into third place in PCL standings with a 5-3-2 record. On Saturday, Cavalry will go up against Pacific FC, who haven't been in very good form of late, and are 2-7-2 this season. However, head coach Tommy Wheeldon Jr. says you can't take any team in this league lightly. 'It's a 90-minute game of football and anything can happen,' he said. 'Whether the way we play, or whether that's the environmental conditions that are coming, we can't have any excuses.' 'It's all about how we approach the opponent, and nullify their strengths, expose any weaknesses and doubts that they have. But that comes down to what we do as a collective.' Collective leadership After losing leaders Daan Klomp to RAAL La Louviere in the Belgian pro league and the retirement of Charlie Trafford, no one knew where the leadership was going to come from. Forward Nicolas Wahling says it's been a collective effort. 'That's made space for other people to step up,' he said. 'I think the leadership that makes this locker room special isn't just on one or two guys, it's spread on multiple shoulders. We have just great character in the locker room and great character on the pitch.' Going for 10 Cavalry will try to go unbeaten in 10 games on Saturday – but that's not the club record. The team had a 13-game unbeaten streak in 2022. Wheeldon Jr. says he doesn't even want to think about that. 'Just focus on the next game,' he said. 'The next play is always the most important.' 'Records will always be written after the fact, so I's just up to us to play Pacific the best we possibly can.' Saturday's game between Cavalry and Pacific is at 2:30 p.m. at ATCO Field.
