The Calgary Flames have made another enormous splash at the entry draft with a trade for the hottest commodity on the market–puck moving right-handed D man who can play top minutes. The Flames have solved their #3-4 spot issue for years to come and now boast among the league’s best top 4 tandems. The cost? Steep.

Hamonic and a 4th Round Pick in 2019 < --> 1st Round 2018, 2nd round 2018, 2nd rd pick in 2019.

The price is huge. That means the Flames will only TWO (barring future trades) selections in the first two rounds over the next THREE years.

Is it worth it?


To bolster the defence with Hamonic, and a favorable contract over 3 years, is valuable. He’s a player you know, whereas in the draft you have to wait and see. The price was steep, however. It suggests the Flames must respond to the talent in the West with better D (McDavid forces this transaction I’d think), and the club wants to win now.

It also helps they’ve drafted the likes of Tkachuk who’s had an immediate impact, giving them some breathing room to develop young prospects who make an impact. Having said that, they don’t have any bonafide skilled forwards in the organization ready to make the jump.

Calgary also bolstered their defensive talent with their first round selection: