Calgary Flames and the NHL Draft

(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images/NHLI)

When Darryl Sutter was hired in the summer of 2003, the Flames had one of the weakest farm systems in the NHL. There was a lack of top-end talent, for sure, but even grinders, role players, bottom six forwards and fifth, sixth, and seventh defensemen were missing.

First round draft busts, trading away of picks, and little to no success in the later rounds were all to blame.

That first year, at the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, a gift by the name of Dion Phaneuf dropped into Sutter's lap at the number nine spot in a draft that is quickly becoming legendary for both the number of stars and the quality of stars. Tim Ramholt also came from that draft, and is becoming a serviceable NHL defensmen—defense takes time.

In 2002, the Flames landed Eric Nystrom, a energy forward that spent the year with the big club for the first time, Matthew Lombardi (since traded), Curtis McElhinney, the current backup to Mikka Kiprusoff, and David Van Der Gulik, who is just now challenging for a roster spot.

Before that, in 2001, it was Chuck Kobasew (since traded), Andrei Taratukhin (currently playing in Russia), and David Moss, fresh off a 20-goal season and a new contract.

With the exception of Jarret Stoll, who didn't sign and re-entered the draft, the previous seasons were full of busts. The mere mention of players such as Brent Krahn, Oleg Saprykin, Rico Fata and Daniel Tkaczuk bring tears to the eyes of Flames faithful. No player drafted by the flames before 2001 is currently on the roster.

So when Sutter came in, it was a pretty bare farm system. None of the players drafted before Sutter can be considered star players, franchise players, even first line, top pairing or starting goaltender players. And for the first few Sutter years, with the exception of Phaneuf, that didn't change.

Kris Chucko, Brandon Prust, Dustin Boyd, Aki Seitsonen, and Adam Pardy are all 2004 guys, and while they may not be household names, they represent a new direction for the Flames. They all had the potential to be NHLers. Not stars or highlight reel guys, but they all had a shot.

Chucko, the first rounder of 2004 for the Flames, is still in the AHL. He was called a project then, and he still is. He is expected to either get some games with the big club as the first or second call-up, or get traded this season, as there is some potential for him to be a late bloomer.

Prust is a tough guy and is a regular in Phoenix, and Boyd and Party both played some great hockey for Calgary this season. Pardy may become the best player for the Flames of this group—he was recently named by The Hockey News as one of the 'Top 50 Free Agents' this season. A restricted free agent, meaning he will most likely be back. 

With eight picks in the 2005 draft, and no second-round pick, the Flames stuck to the same formula. Pelech has had injury trouble but made his NHL debut this past season and could get duty as the seventh defenceman this year, Gord Baldwin has been playing well for the Quad City Flames, and JD Watt and Brett Sutter both can play. None will be stars, but three or four NHLers is possible.

2006 became about filling needs. '04 and '05 were all about just getting the player with the best shot of making the big dance, and now the Flames were starting to pick guys based on more than just making it.

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