A fan looks on prior to the first round of 2024 NHL Draft in The Sphere in Las Vegas. (Photo: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/12fd0ee2-67fb-400d-a185-115025850650.jpeg] A fan looks on prior to the first round of 2024 NHL Draft in The Sphere in Las Vegas. (Photo: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images) With the Carolina Hurricanes and Washington Capitals eliminating the New Jersey Devils and Montreal Canadiens respectfully from 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Calgary Flames are now officially locked in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft with the 18th overall pick. Who will they draft? Let the speculation begin… The Flames have a problem on the offensive end. They had the fourth-lowest goals scored in the league, and a power play that ranked 19th. But they do get shots on goal with the seventh-most this past season. The good thing about Calgary is they have two first-round picks this year and the second one is dependent on how far the Florida Panthers end up in the playoffs. And if the Flames win both lottery draw (1.1%) to move them to sixth overall, they keep that pick, and give their 2025 first-round pick (via Panthers) to the Canadiens. That doesn't seem realistic though given the 1.1% likelihood. Therefore, the Flames should prioritize their offensive needs with their second first-round pick. Considering in Elite Prospects top 32 April’s list of prospects for the draft, there are just seven defencemen, it makes the position even more valuable. And since 23-year-old Wranglers centre Rory Kerins impressed in the AHL with 33 goals and 61 points in 63 games this past season, and even scored four points in five games with the Flames, there is potential he makes the roster and helps with the scoring. Calgary has depth with right-handed defencemen: Rasmus Andersson (whose future with the organization is cloudy), MacKenzie Weegar, Brayden Pachal, Daniil Miromanov. Zayne Parekh and Hunter Brzustewicz are RHD prospects that are very likely to make the roster. With left-handers, the only regulars are Joel Hanley, Jake Bean and Kevin Bahl. Hanley will be an unrestricted free agent in the summer and will turn 34 on June 8th: quite old for the Flames roster whose average age was 27.35 for the 2024-45 season according to Elite Prospects. Jake Bean is not a game-changing defenceman, and will most likely be headed to the AHL, leaving Bahl as the top pairing left defenceman. That means it should be Craig Conroy’s priority to sign the upcoming restricted free agent. With that 18th overall pick, the Flames should draft a left-handed defenceman and add depth to their blueline. Our pick: Kitchener Rangers LD Cameron Reid 24'-25' OHL Stats: 14 Goals, 40 Assists, 54 Points in 67 Games Notable Stat: 22 Power Play assists (Team-high, 16th in the OHL) The Reasons: * Valuable shutdown defenseman * Two-way capabilities with great offensive skills * Leadership experience as alternate captain of Rangers * Ability to quarterback the man-advantage will help Flames power play woes * Very physical defender will fit well in a Flames roster ranked 11th in hits this past season
