HOT TOPICS MAILBAG: Draft targets, trading up and who will the backup goalie be?
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No disrespect to the 16 teams busy in the Stanley Cup playoffs (and there has been some incredible drama already), but Calgary Flames fans are ready to fast-forward to late June.
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Specifically to June 27, an evening earmarked for the opening round of the 2025 NHL draft.
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It's well-documented that the Flames will surrender their own first-rounder to the Montreal Canadiens — that is, unless they get lucky in the lottery and move into the Top-10 — but Craig Conroy & Co. will still select a pair of prospects that night.
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Your favourite players for the upcoming draft that could realistically fall to the Flames at either pick in the 1st round? Kindel, Aitcheson, Cootes, etc
— Rich Hilton (@richhilton27) April 22, 2025
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GILBERTSON: I haven't done enough digging just yet to declare a favourite from this draft class, but I did catch some Calgary Hitmen playoff action and was very impressed with the speedy, shifty and creative Ben Kindel. I'm not sure that NHL scouts will see Kindel as a centre, although that makes him a right-shot winger and that is another area of need for the Flames. Listed at 5-foot-10 and 175 pounds, Kindel finished seventh in the WHL scoring race — and tops among draft-eligibles — with 99 points. The Hitmen were eliminated in Wednesday's Game 7 against the Lethbridge Hurricanes, but Kindel potted a pair of overtime winners in that series. With Matt Coronato and Adam Klapka as the only righty forwards in the long-term plans, could Kindel be a target, especially if he's available with their second first-round pick?
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