{ "blocks": [ { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Just like the latest Calgary Flames season that is already in the books, the NHL Draft Lottery was a huge disappointment." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "The flames had only a 5% chance of winning the first overall pick in on Tuesday night, with slightly higher odds of moving up to a few other more attractive positions. In the end, though, they made no progress at all. (Then again, none of the lower half of the league’s teams did — something that hasn’t happened since 2010)." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "After a second straight season without a playoff appearance, the Flames landed the same draft spot as they owned to begin the day. They will select ninth overall at the Sphere in Las Vegas on June 28." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Who they might select with the 10th Top 10 pick in franchise history is yet to be determined, but there was plenty of disappointment in Tuesday’s proceedings as Flames fans were hopeful they could somehow beat the odds and have a shot at something they’ve never had before – the first overall pick and a shot at a generational player in Macklin Celebrini. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "The Flames have never chosen higher than fourth and have a rocky history of hitting on their prospects in the top third of the draft. Matthew Tkachuk is their clear-cut best, but he’s playing alongside another of their best in Sam Bennett in Florida. Those two made a run to the Stanley Cup Final a year ago. Sean Monahan and Dion Phaneuf are the other ‘hits,’ although each had their challenges sustaining their early success. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "The hope this year is finding a gem. They’ve been burned in the past with back-to-back disasters in the sixth spot in Daniel Tkaczuk and Rico Fata in 1997 and ’98 respectively. Eric Nystrom at 10^th overall in 2002, Brent Krahn at nine in 2000 turned out to be nice people but less than dazzling NHL players. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "1992 - Cory Stillman (6)
1997 - Daniel Tkaczuk (6)
1998 - Rico Fata (6)
2000 - Brent Krahn (9)
2002 - Eric Nystrom (10)
2003 - Dion Phaneuf (9)
2013 - Sean Monahan (6)
2014 - Sam Bennett (4)
2016 - Matt Tkachuk (6)
" } } ] }

Calgary Flames Disappointment Continues: NHL Draft Lottery