With the draft less than a week away we're starting to get a feel for what teams are hoping to accomplish.
The Calgary Flames are reportedly open to moving down from 6th overall but their main priority appears to be moving up.
The Flames are aggressively trying to do so, according to Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun.
One of the most aggressive on that front is Calgary Flames GM Brad Treliving, who is currently sitting at No. 6 in the annual crapshoot....
The Flames want a shot at one of those top-end forwards like winger Jesse Puljujarvi (Finland) or London winger Matthew Tkachuk. There’s not a chance either of those two players will be there by the time Calgary is scheduled to pick at No. 6 so it doesn’t hurt Treliving to at least make an attempt to move.
This does not come as a surprise at all. The Flames have made it well known they'd love to get a power forward-type winger to play in their top-six alongside Sean Monahan and Johnny Gaudreau. Neither Jesse Puljujarvi or Matthew Tkachuk are known for their bone crushing hits but they're both power forwards in their own way.
Wanting to trade up is one thing but doing it is a whole different story; especially when two of the three teams open to moving down are division rivals.
Barring an absurdly good offer I can't see the Edmonton Oilers or Vancouver Canucks giving the Flames their pick.
That leaves Columbus, who may very well be most open to moving down of the bunch.
They've made it well known they'd like a center and at 6th overall both Logan Brown and Clayton Keller would presumably be on the board.
If the Flames were to offer Mikael Backlund, Rasmus Andersson or Oliver Kylington, 6th overall and one of their 2nd round picks would that be enough to entice the Blue Jackets?
Probably not - the asking prices for top picks are always ludicrously high - but I think that'd get them at the table, at least.
I think the Flames have the pieces to get a deal done. It's just a matter of how much they're willing to part with.
Recent posts: On the hiring of Glen Gulutzan