On draft day, NHL teams typically go for two options. Those are drafting the best player available or positional needs in the organization. The Calgary Flames, just like every other organization, has strengths and weaknesses in their depth charts. Their winger department has many future options and so does their goalie. The defence is good but needs more top-end talent. But without a doubt, the biggest hole in the Flames organization is at the centre position.
Luckily for the Flames, this draft is full of variety when it comes to position in the first round. At every pick they make inside the first round, there should be a solid option for each position excluding goalies. Even luckier for the Flames, some top-end centres are in this draft class. Here are some of the best centres in this year’s draft.
Macklin Celebrini
The obvious name. The consensus first overall pick. Macklin Celebrini won’t be around when the Flames pick but we should still bring him up when talking about the best centres for obvious reasons. Celebrini had 32 goals and assists for 64 points in 38 games with Boston University this season. His performance made him the youngest player to ever win the Hobey Baker Award.
Celebrini may be one of the most intelligent prospects in some time. There’s no real weakness with his game and you can that he completely understands the game at a high level. He reads the play before it develops and is always one step ahead. Mix that with his compete level and you get a skillset that focuses on all areas of the ice.
Celebrini can produce without taking away from his game. Even with his insane offence, he still does his job defensively. He brings great passing, hands, and skating but his shot stands out the most. Quick, accurate, and hard is the best way to describe Celebrini’s wrist shot. He can release it from any area of the ice. Paired with that is a perfectly set and accurate one-timer. Celebrini also doesn’t shy away from the dirtier areas and can sneak behind the play.
Cayden Lindstrom
Cayden Lindstrom sits fifth in TWC’s consolidated draft rankings. Going from not being talked about much prior to the season to being a consensus top-10 pick is pretty good. Lindstrom scored 27 goals and 46 points for the Medicine Hat Tigers while being limited to 32 games due to injury.
At a strong 6’4 and 216 pounds, it’s no surprise that Lindstrom brings great strength and size to the table. Bringing all the traits you want to the table, Lindstrom can be a bully on the ice. He’ll dominate possession, finish his checks consistently, use his advantage down low, and push through physical pressure. He shines on the cycle being able to ward off opponents with his strong stature.
Lindstrom complements this with his compete level. He gives 110% each night in both zones, odd to see him not trying. All of this is tied off with his surprisingly fantastic skating. His balance makes his stride effective allowing him to push through the neutral zone and opponents. It becomes smooth with his cycling and constant movement. He also brings a solid amount of speed for a bigger guy.
Lindstrom’s offensive upside has been a debate. Some say he lacks some high-end talent and he won’t be much of a producer at the next level. Others will say he does everything you want in a skillful player. Lindstrom is a raw player and it wouldn’t be that surprising to see him take a few years to fully break out at the NHL level like Tage Thompson or Quinton Byfield.
Berkly Catton
One of the most fun players in this draft is Berkly Catton. Catton dominated the WHL this year. 54 goals and 116 points in 64 games. He joins Connor Bedard and Sam Reinhart as players who scored above 1.70 points per game in their draft season. A consensus top-10 pick based on skill who could possibly drop into the teens due size, it will be interesting to watch Catton on draft day.
Catton brings everything you want in an offensive forward. Starting with his speed, Catton has a great first stride that separates him from opponents attacking from the back. Using momentum and deception, he can throw off opponents during the transition. Add in amazing edgework and Catton becomes way more deceptive and fluid with the puck.
Catton’s shot isn’t the most powerful but his accuracy and smoothness he has with it allow him to be an efficient goal-scorer. He loves the toe-drag release, moving around defenders before accurately getting it past the goalie. The best traits Catton brings are playmaking abilities and hands. He can protect the puck despite his lack of size and then find an opponent teammate. He sends highlight reel passes past defenders and leaves them looking lost. His hands allow him to dominate play being quick and smooth. He may not be the most consistently flashy guy but can do so when there’s an opportunity.
Catton isn’t super small but 170 pounds for a centre isn’t the most ideal. He can run into problems when it comes to fighting for the puck or when being in the corners. Like a winger would, he avoids physicality which can lead to rushed plays and turnovers. On the defensive side, he can be invisible, putting in little to no effort. When he does, he can put in too much effort, rushing plays and ending up in a terrible position.
Konsta Helenius
Konsta Helenius is a prospect who had ranged from the top 5 to the top 16 leading up to the draft. It would be very surprising to not see him selected inside the top 12 as he appears to be a prospect coaches would love. He scored an impressive 36 points in 51 games with Jukurit in the Liiga this season.
Helenius has a well-rounded skillset with a lot of strengths. He has a very high hockey IQ and sees the game before everyone else on and off the puck. Finding open teammates, shaking off defenders, and bringing some deceptiveness are things Helenius will do with the puck due to his hockey IQ.
Off the puck, Helenius will make way to open areas and create space for his teammates. Helenius has good edgework with a high motor to make him a threat with or without the puck. In the defensive end, he puts himself in spots to pick off passes and it is rare to see him make a mistake. His size doesn’t hold him back, he’ll join puck battles and work in the dirty areas. Helenius’ shot is deceptive like many other areas of his game and has accuracy that lets him put the puck into the back of the net.
The main problem people have with Helenius is he does nothing flashy and arguably not at that high of a level. Despite that, he still does everything right and there’s not much to dislike.
Sacha Boisvert
A very successful USHL season saw Sacha Boisvert jump into the conversation of being a first-round pick. His 36 goals and 68 points in 61 games will likely see his name get called on the first day of the draft.
Boisvert brings a high skill level to his game. He makes many highlight-reel plays. You will see him turn opponents inside out and make strong pushes to the net. His stature lets him protect and control the puck well and work around opponents. Utilizing his skills in tighter areas is something Boisvert is good at. Boisvert has also been credited as a player who can think at a high pace. In the zone or on the rush, Boisvert can read the play and think quickly. Despite goal-scoring being his game, he will still make good passes. The defensive end will also see good results from Boisvert. He understands his assignment and will go into corners.
Transitional skating and stride is where we can see Boisvert struggle. The way he skates holds him back in the explosiveness department and impacts his effectiveness in the transition. He can reach a fast speed but his initial first few steps really hamper his play. Boisvert’s faceoff skills have also been questioned and could see him moved to the wing at the next level if not improved.
Michael Hage
Michael Hage rose with a strong end to the year. By the time the season had concluded, Hage led his team in goals with 33 and points with 75 points in 54 games.
When it comes to his game, Hage’s skating is the best attribute. He brings amazing edgework and very fast top-end speed. This allows him to create many breakaways and hard to keep up with. His first few steps allow him to quickly separate from opponents. Then he brings in a high hockey IQ. Like many other players mentioned in this piece, he sees the game at a high level and is ahead of everyone else. He makes smart and creative plays with the puck. He can find open ice, sneaking behind opponents. Hage makes smart passes and waits with the puck instead of forcing plays. He is great at generating chances for himself and his teammates.
Hage’s compete can disappear when he is stripped of the puck and gives a minimal effort to get it back. Improving heavily in the defensive end is something Hage focused on this season but slips can still happen.
Unpredictable draft
Macklin Celebrini going first overall to the San Jose Sharks is the only locked-in pick at this draft. After that, it’s wide open. It’s very unlikely Lindstrom will be available for the Flames but it’s not impossible. Every other centre listed should on the board at ninth with Catton and Helenius being the two on that level. Hage and Boisvert are two you can target with the later first.
