The NHL Draft is less than a week away. The Flames will be well-equipped for Draft weekend with 11 total picks, and six within the top 55, including 6th overall and 30th overall. Gavin McKenna and Ivar Stenberg are consensus top selections; however, prospect rankings muddle significantly from three to ten. With projections changing from day to day, we wanted to know who Flames fans think the team should select at 6th overall. We asked, you answered.
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Who are the Flames selecting 6th overall on Friday night?
We presented the poll below to our readers:
Viggo Björck
Viggo Björck narrowly missed a victory in this week’s poll, collecting roughly 40% of votes. Björck has been a favourite for Flames fans at 6th overall, with his draft stock rising consistently since his performance at the World Championships. In eight games, the 18-year-old posted a goal and six points. His performance follows up on an impressive showing internationally for Team Sweden, playing at the World Junior Championships earlier this year, where he recorded three goals and nine points in seven games.
Björck has had an impressive draft season, playing pro in the SHL for Djurgårdens IF, suiting up for 42 regular-season games, scoring six goals and recording 15 points in his first pro season. Viggo followed that up with a PPG pace during Djurgårdens IF’s short, 3-game playoff run. There’s no question Björck will make an impact at the NHL level, and fast.
His playmaking ability and high motor bode well for the young Swede, landing him 4th overall on NHL Central Scouting’s ranking among international skaters, with many scouts projecting him in the top five overall. Björck’s downfall in this week’s poll, and on many draft boards, is his stature. At 5’9″ and 180lbs, there are rumours that the Flames are concerned about adding another small, borderline centre to their prospect pool.
Carson Carels
Carson Carels finished 3rd in this week’s poll, collecting roughly 17% of votes. After a solid WHL career with the Prince George Cougars, the Canadian D-Man will play alongside Flames prospect Cole Reschny next season after committing to the University of North Dakota in the NCAA. Despite his 73 points in 58 games with the Cougars this past season, Carels’ offensive ability isn’t his most attractive asset to NHL scouts.
At 6’2″ and 198lbs, Carels uses his frame well with great transitional skating on the backcheck, and no fear when it comes to laying a hit. Carels finishes checks with authority; combine that with his high motor, strong skating and offensive ability, make him a standout two-way defender in this draft class. Despite his projection, there could be more tantalizing players left on the board if the Flames decide to bolster their defensive prospect pool further.
Keaton Verhoeff
Keaton Verhoeff won this week’s poll with a narrow 2% victory, collecting roughly 42% of the votes. Verhoeff may be one of the most interesting prospects in this year’s class. At 6’4″ and 216lbs, the 17-year-old was discussed as a consensus top-three selection before entering his draft season. After making the move to the NCAA at 17 years old, Verhoeff struggled at times during his rookie season with the University of North Dakota. While the two-way defender may have underwhelmed some scouts, his athletic ability, size and heavy shot make him one of the most intriguing prospects this class.
Verhoeff also has notable connections to the Iginla family. Playing at RINK hockey academy in Kelowna from 2022–2024, Verhoeff was coached by Jarome Iginla while playing alongside his son Joe. The Alberta-born defender even spent time billeting with the family while playing for the academy. The connection to the Iginlas has clearly shifted opinions in Calgary, as many believe Verhoeff’s proximity to the organization makes him the clear favourite at 6th overall if the still available. Verhoeff will likely return to North Dakota next season to play his sophomore season at just 18 years old, but his path to the NHL might be among the shortest when considering prospects that could be available come time for the Flames’ first selection on Friday.
Tynan Lawrence
Tynan Lawrence didn’t fare as well as his competition in this week’s poll, collecting just over 1% of votes. The Canadian centre spent time with both the USHL’s Muskegon Lumberjacks and Boston University in the NCAA. Lawrence headed stateside for his minor hockey at only 14 years old, following the likes of Sidney Crosby, Nathan McKinnon, and Macklin Celebrini to Shattuck St Mary’s Prep in Minnesota. Despite Lawrence ranking 5th in TWC’s consolidated rankings, his draft stock has remained fairly consistent over the past few months, pencilling him in around picks 6–15 by major scouts.
Plenty of fish in the sea
Although Flames fans were disappointed with 6th overall when draft lottery results rolled in roughly a month ago, there is no question that the Flames will have a long list of talent to choose from. Whether they decide to take a centre such as Viggo Björck or Tynan Lawrence, or a defenceman such as Carson Carels or Keaton Verhoeff, the Flames will add a valuable and impactful player to their prospect pool. Not to mention the five other selections Calgary will make before the second round concludes. We may not have won the lottery, Flames fans, but we can rest assured that Conroy has his sights set on having arguably the best draft class in the league going on three years running.
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