Players The Flames Could Be Drafting Friday Night…The Final Edition

You may recall that SB Nation Hockey has been doing a mock draft for the 2016 NHL Draft on June 24th. You can familiarize yourself with it here. In that mock, M&G selected Matthew Tkachuk for the Flames with the 6th pick because he was available. This may be the only mock that had Tkachuk falling to #6. Most have him gone earlier than that and while things can and do change, it’s a safe bet he’s gone before the Flames pick. With that said, he is one of the 5-6 players that conceivably could be sitting there when the Flames select. Here’s a list of the players “most likely” to be still around at #6. (All stat info is from EliteProspects.com)

Matthew Tkachuk, LW, London (OHL)

Most drafts have Tkachuk gone by the time Calgary is up, with a split on him going to either Edmonton or Vancouver (picks 4 & 5). But hey, stranger things have happened. Here's a look at his stat bio:

Pierre-Luc Dubois, C/W, Cape Breton (QMJHL)

The Flames can always use extra Centers and Dubois certainly could fill that role. He can skate as a center or as a winger, which provides the Flames with some versatility. He appears to be the consolation prize for the team that doesn't take Tkachuk early in the Draft.

Logan Brown, C, Windsor (OHL)

Logan Brown seems to be the consensus pick for the Flames at #6. A HUGE Center at 6'6, Brown can score and play some solid defense as well. Center versatility is something the Flames would love to add and a big body like Brown's could fill the "truculence" role as well.

Alexander Nylander, RW, Mississauga (OHL)

Nylander is a dark horse for the Flames at #6. He's projected to land anywhere from 8-10 putting him post Flames picking. Still, he's an intriguing offensive player that could peak Calgary's interest.

Jakob Chychrun, D, Sarnia (OHL)

Chychrun is another one of those players that if the team ahead takes Nylander, then Chychurn becomes the next to go. He's also slotted lower than the Flames are picking, but a physical defenseman who can collect points could be tough for the Flames to pass up if their first or second options are off the board.

Mikhail Sergachev, D, Windsor (OHL)

The OHL's Defenceman of the Year could be a tempting pick for the Flames as well. Most mocks have him either going to the Flames at #6 or Arizona at #7. The big bodied Russian poured in 57 points during the regular season and we all know how much Calgary loves when the D can put the puck in the net or help get it there.

So there's a final look at who the Flames could be selecting when their time on the clock expires. The NHL Draft (and most drafts for that matter) are a crap shoot. The NHL Draft is littered with can't miss prospects who missed or top picks that turn into career minor league hockey players. The bonus for the Flames is that they have done very well lately with their top picks (Monahan and Bennett) and found gold in the later rounds (Gaudreau and Brodie).

Will this year be the same? Tune in to the 2016 NHL Draft on Friday night and find out. The first round is June 24 (7 p.m. ET; NBCSN, SN, TVA Sports). Rounds 2-7 are June 25 (10 a.m. ET; NHLN, SN).

Don't forget to read up on our look at how the Flames have done when drafting outside the Top 10.

Keep it here for all you Calgary Flames news and our coverage of the 2016 NHL Draft.

by Mark Parkinson