The last time the Calgary Flames took a player in the first round, they came away with Jusso Valimaki who was a great selection with the 16th overall pick. Anttoni Honka is another smooth-skating Finnish defender that could be available when the Flames reach the draft podium this year, and the Flames may be keen to repeat that pattern. However, while most scouts agreed on the general ranking of Valimaki, Honka may just be the most divisive player at this year’s draft.
Scouting report
The younger brother of former first round pick Julius Honka, the younger Honka was all over the map during 2018-19, both with his play and geographically speaking.