It was another busy week for GM Craig Conroy and the Calgary Flames. Last week the team finally traded Jacob Markstrom to the New Jersey Devils after months of speculation. The dust barely settled as Conroy traded forward Andrew Mangiapane to the Washington Capitals for a 2025 second-round pick on the eve of the Draft.
With the Flames seemingly committed to a rebuilding season after their latest dealings, it was time for Craig Conroy and his scouting staff to utilize their 11 draft selections and show fans just what they had planned.
Making two selections in the first round, we wanted to know how fans felt about the newest Flames talent Zayne Parekh and Matvei Gridin. We asked, you answered.
Want to take part in Sunday Census polls? We send them out every week on our Twitter at @wincolumnCGY. Follow along or send in ideas for the next poll!
Reactions to the Flames’ draft
The poll this week was simple: Rate the Flames’ first-round picks between excellent, very good, fine, and poor.
First-round picks were excellent
35% of respondents thought the Flames did excellent in the first round of the draft. Zayne Parekh, selected ninth overall, finished the season as the OHL’s top-scoring defenceman with 33 goals and 96 points, ahead of Flames prospect Hunter Brzustewicz with 13 goals and 92 points.
After trading away half of the defence corps last season, the Flames have done a fantastic job replenishing their weak defensive prospect pool. The addition of Brzustewicz and Parekh alone could be monumental for the team’s future as both players have high ceilings.
Matvei Gridin, selected with Vancouver’s first-round pick (28th overall) acquired in the Elias Lindholm trade, was a somewhat off-the-board selection by Conroy and the Flames. Although projected as a third-round pick in some mock drafts, Gridin is an elite goal scorer in the USHL and he is committed to the University of Michigan next season.
The Russian forward scored 38 goals and 83 points to win the USHL scoring title last season. Although some may think Gridin is a reach, his longer development arch and raw skills could really turn into something, and it seems fans agree.
With this being only the second time the Flames selected more than one player in the first round, over a third of Flames fans think Craig Conroy did an excellent job.
Rating the picks as very good
Almost half of respondents said the Flames did very good in the first round of the draft, collecting 49% of votes. I can see where fans are leaning with this selection. Parekh is a home run, but Gridin might leave some a bit unsatisfied. His ceiling is there, but he comes with a longer, more uncertain development path.
All in all, the Flames addressed their needs in the first round adding a top-tier offensive defenceman and a left-handed winger with high offensive upside. The new era of Calgary Flames hockey is on the horizon.
Selections were just fine
13% of fans thought the Flames did fine with their first-round selections. I’d imagine this faction of respondents was hoping the team would go after Tij Iginla who was selected sixth overall by the Utah HC.
Although the Flames didn’t trade up to keep the Iginla hockey bloodline in Calgary, they still came out of it on top with Parekh and Gridin. It’s a very solid start and the rest of the draft followed suit. Compared to drafts of the past, the early outlook seems strong for Conroy and the Flames’ new prospects.
The draft picks were poor
Only 2.6% of respondents thought the Flames did poorly in the first round. Probably just salty Oilers fans coming off a tough week…
Overall, Conroy delivered. 97.4% of fans saying your work was “fine or better” is something to be proud of.
One thing is certain, Craig Conroy is quickly winning over fans with how the Flames drafted this year, and getting the first round done the way they did is just the cherry on top.
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