Flames select Pavel Karnaukhov with the 136th pick

Calgary already made big moves in the draft as they moved their first pick and two seconds for Dougie Hamilton, drafted Rasmus Andersson in the second round and traded up to acquire Oliver Kylington. All of the moves left them without picks in the third and fourth rounds. When they finally picked again they selected Pavel Karnaukhov of the Calgary Hitmen.

The Belarusian centre obviously won't have very far to travel to get to Calgary. He put up 20 goals and 22 assists in 69 games this past season: not bad, but not a ton of points for one of the higher scoring teams in the WHL. It was his first season since moving from Russia's junior league the MHL, so he still has plenty of room to develop down in the WHL. He was the Hitmen's highest scoring rookie.

Fifth round picks are generally long shots to make the league to begin with and the Flames decided to stay local and draft a talent that looks like he may have a modicum of offense. Hopefully he can mature into a solid fixture for Calgary. Here are his numbers from EliteProspects:

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There's certainly potential there, and by playing for the Hitmen, the Flames will be able to keep a close eye on him as he continues to develop.

by Les Mavus