With the trade deadline now in the rear-view mirror, many Calgary Flames fans are already turning their attention toward the summer and the NHL Draft. Here’s a quick look at some Finnish prospects projected to be selected in the first round.
Several Finnish prospects are projected to be selected in the latter half of the first round of the 2026 NHL Draft. While Finland may not have a clear top-tier name near the very top of the draft this year, a handful of players are expected to come off the board later in the first round. The Calgary Flames could potentially be in a position to draft one of them, as the team holds a second first-round pick acquired from the Vegas Golden Knights in the Noah Hanifin trade.
Based on Vegas’ current position in the standings, that pick would likely fall somewhere around the 17th to 20th overall range. With that in mind, here are three Finnish prospects who could potentially be available when the Flames make their second first-round selection.
Oliver Suvanto – C, Tappara
Oliver Suvanto is one of the most thrilling Finnish forwards projected around the middle of the first round. The Tappara centre spent most of the season playing in Finland’s top professional league, Liiga, which is already a positive sign for a draft-eligible player.
In 48 Liiga games this season, Suvanto recorded 2 goals and 9 assists for 11 points while adjusting to the pace and physicality of men’s hockey. He also appeared briefly for Tappara’s U20 team, scoring three points in three games.
Suvanto is also a second-generation hockey player and represented Finland at the World Junior Championship in Minnesota. Playing the tournament two years underage, he recorded two goals in seven games. Finland finished fourth in the tournament.
At 190 cm (6’3”) and 95 kg (209 lbs), Suvanto also brings the kind of size NHL teams often look for in centres.
Oscar Hemming – F, Boston College
Oscar Hemming is another Finnish top prospect in the upcoming draft. The forward currently plays at Boston College in the NCAA.
Hemming spent his junior years with Kiekko-Espoo in Finland before moving to North America. During the 2024–25 season, he put up impressive numbers with the club’s U18 team, recording 63 points (35 goals, 28 assists) in 31 games. He also appeared in 18 games with the U20 team, registering 10 points against older competition.
According to the Finnish newspaper Iltalehti, his move overseas was initially complicated after his camp terminated his contract with Kiekko-Espoo in hopes of transferring to the OHL. Kiekko-Espoo did not accept the move at first, leaving his playing rights temporarily unclear before the situation was eventually resolved. Later he joined Boston College.
Hemming stands at 192 cm (6’4”) and weighs 90 kg (198 lbs). He has played 17 games in Boston, recording 8 points (1+7).
He is also the younger brother of Emil Hemming, who was selected 29th overall by the Dallas Stars in the 2024 NHL Draft.
Juho Piiparinen – D, Tappara
Juho Piiparinen is one of the Finnish defensemen projected around the latter half of the first round. The right-shot blueliner plays in the Tappara. During the 2025–26 season so far, Piiparinen has recorded 13 points (1 goal, 12 assists) in 15 games with Tappara’s U20 team. He has also appeared in 29 Liiga games for Tappara, registering three assists.
Back in December, Piiparinen also drew praise from within the Tappara organization. In an interview with Finnish broadcaster Yle, Tappara assistant coach Peter Popovic said he would not be surprised if the defenseman were selected very high in the draft.
“I wouldn’t be surprised at all,” Popovic said when asked whether Piiparinen could even be selected in the top four.
In the same interview with Yle, Piiparinen was also compared to NHL defenseman Dougie Hamilton, highlighting the type of size and playing style some see in his game.
At 190 cm (6’3”) and 92 kg (203 lbs), Piiparinen brings solid size to the blue line.
Plenty of options
With the Flames holding two first-round picks in the upcoming NHL draft, it will be interesting to see how the Flames approach the middle of the first round. If the Vegas selection lands around the projected range, one of these Finnish prospects could potentially be available when Calgary makes its pick.
