NHL Mock Draft Pick #13 – Calgary Flames

An up and down season saw the Flames remain in playoff contention for most of the season, but in the end they fell 3 points shy of 8th place. Calgary has the potential to make another run before captain Jarome Iginla packs it in, but they can’t expect the player they draft in this spot to make an impact right away.

Selecting on behalf of the Flames is Ryan, Editor of Flame For Thought.

For the 13th overall pick, the Calgary Flames are going with Mika Zibanejad (Centre from Djurgarden in the Swedish Elite League)

Jared’s Analysis –  Finally the young Swede is selected after being passed over in by a number of teams where he could have easily gone.  The centre might have been hampered by the fact that he spent the first part of the year playing in the Junior ranks in Sweden.  When he started to garner more attention was when he was promoted to the elite league.  He was among the top underage scorers in Sweden in his short time there.  Might be a couple of years away from playing NHL calibre hockey, but the Flames might just have a gem on their hands.

Flame for Thought’s Lead Writer Ryan sent along these comments regarding Zibanejad:

Zibanejad shot through the European scouting rankings in the second half of the season. He’s a large Swedish centreman who’s not afraid to grind it out in the corners. With his 6’2″ 192lbs frame, he’s only going to get bigger and could pan out to be a top-end NHL power forward. He has those rare physical attributes a lot of big men don’t. He’s got the size, he’s strong on the puck and has shown flashes of having a brilliant set of hands.  Zibanejad started the 2010-11 season with Djurgarden’s junior team, then got the call to the Swedish Elite League in December. In the 2010 World Under-17 challenge, he recorded five goals and four assists, helping lead Sweden to a bronze medal. One of Zibanejad’s best qualities is said to be his tireless work ethic. He would be a great pick-up for a Calgary, who is stockpiled with overpaid and underachieving forwards who aren’t exactly in their prime.

I encourage fans and followers of the Flames to check out further information on the club at Flame For Thought.

HAVE YOUR SAY

Here are the Mock Draft results so far (click on the team name to go to the post about that pick):

Now on the clock for the #14 selection, on behalf of the Dallas Stars, is Blackout Dallas.  Visit the site to see their preview for this pick.

PREVIEWING THE STARS

2010-2011 Record: 42-29-11 (16th Overall)

League Rankings:
Goals for:  17th

Goals Against: 15th

Power Play: 14th

Penalty Kill:  23rd

TOP 5 Prospects in the system:  Jack Campbell (G), Philip Larsen (D), Alex Chiasson (RW), Scott Glennie (RW), Reilly Smith (RW)

NEEDS: The Stars were another one of those bubble teams, that could easily have been in the playoffs as out.  However, with the impending departure of All-Star centre Brad Richards creates a hole in the lineup that will not be filled easily.  The Stars have depth down the right side, and even if Richards is re-signed they might want to address the centre position.  However, nobody would blame them if they chose one of the top defensemen on the board.

TOP 5 PLAYERS ON THE BOARD (per ISS):

1.    Oscar Klefbom, D, Farjestad (SWE ELITE)

2.  Nathan Beaulieu, D, Saint John (QMJHL)

3.  Rocco Grimaldi, C, USA Under-18 (USHL)

4. JT Miller, LW, USA Under-18 (USHL)

5. Mark Scheifele, C, Barrie (OHL)

Check back on TOO MANY MEN ON THE SITE  tomorrow evening to see who  “Blackout Dallas” chooses to take for the Dallas Stars, as the Fansided mock draft continues!