Why Calgary Flames trading for Nemec will alter their draft approach
The Calgary Flames upgraded their roster on Tuesday afternoon, acquiring Simon Nemec and Maxim Tsyplakov from the New Jersey Devils.
While Tsyplakov is more of a depth add, Nemec is the piece that has fans excited. The 22-year-old is just four years removed from being selected second overall, and has the potential to turn into a top-pairing defenceman.
The interesting thing about the Flames targeting Nemec is that they already have several young and upcoming right-shot blueliners such as Zayne Parekh, Hunter Brzustewicz, and prospect Henry Mews. Though it’s since been reported that Parekh prefers to play the left side, this trade may still alter what we see from the organization heading into the draft.
The Flames have the sixth pick at this year’s draft, a class that features several right-shot defencemen such as Keaton Verhoeff, Chase Reid, and Daxon Rudolph expected to be taken off the board early. Many mock drafts have had the Flames selecting one of those three, though that may no longer be the case.
Despite Conroy being adamant that the organization plans on taking the best player available, the sudden surplus of right-shot blue liners they have could result in them filling a different positional need.
One potential option, and one that many Flames fans are fond of, is selecting Swedish centreman Viggo Bjorck. That said, some believe he will be off the board by the time the Flames take the stage.
Other potential options include defencemen Carson Carels and Alberts Smits, both of whom are left-handed shots.
With it feeling likely that the trio of Gavin McKenna, Ivar Stenberg, and Caleb Malholtra are off the board by the time the Flames make their pick, there is a strong chance that at least one of Carels, Smits, or Bjorck is still available. If that is the case, fans shouldn’t be surprised to see one of them selected rather than a right-shot blueliner like Verhoeff.
The draft is set to kick off this Friday at 5 p.m. MDT. The Flames will have two picks on Friday, as they also have the 30th overall selection from the Vegas Golden Knights as part of the package received in the Noah Hanifin trade.
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