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Flames able to add some offense

Monday, 06.23.2008 / 9:00 AM / 2008 NHL Entry Draft

By Brian Compton - NHL.com Deputy Managing Editor


OTTAWA
-- The Calgary Flames did a bit of wheeling and dealing at the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, and may be putting more pucks in the net as early as this October. Jarome Iginla will certainly get some help, as the Flames sent the No. 17 pick to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for highly-skilled forward Mike Cammalleri.

But General Manager Darryl Sutter also coveted a first-round selection in this deep draft, so he sent forward Alex Tanguay and a fifth-round pick to the Montreal Canadiens for the No. 25 selection and a second-round pick in 2009.

“We knew at some point we’d have to move Tanguay,” Sutter said. “We wanted a first-rounder, so we had to use that to try and get a goal scorer. I didn’t think we’d be able to do it this soon, (but) it fell into place for us. I think both deals worked out well for us.”

Here is a look at Calgary’s 2008 NHL Entry Draft class:

No. 25 Greg Nemisz, C, Windsor (OHL) – After scoring 11 goals in his rookie season, the 6-foot-2 center jumped to 34 tallies in 2007-08. Not afraid to go the net, the Courtice, Ontario, native also had 52 penalty minutes and said he likes to pattern his game after Anaheim’s Ryan Getzlaf.

"He's a big kid. He's got good hands and he likes to go to the net," said Sutter. "We're looking forward to seeing him develop and, hopefully, sooner than later, see him playing for us."

When he does arrive in Calgary, Flames fans shouldn’t be expecting to see Nemisz doing any spin-o-ramas. Nemisz is one who enjoys getting the dirty goals in front.

"I like to go to the scoring areas, but I don't score very many pretty goals," Nemisz said.

No. 48 Mitch Wahl, C, Spokane (WHL) – American-born (Seal Beach, Calif.) was the fourth overall pick in the WHL Draft in 2005 and had 73 points in 67 games in his third season with Spokane.

Growing up in Orange County, Wahl’s career in professional hockey can almost certainly be linked to Wayne Gretzky’s arrival in Southern California in 1988. Scouts rave about his ability to find the open man and his maturity.

“I couldn’t be happier to have my name called by the Flames,” Wahl said. “It’s a kid’s dream to play in Calgary. In Southern California, it’s a different atmosphere. I’ve got to go into camp and prove myself and show what type of player I am.”

No. 78 Lance Bouma, C, Vancouver (WHL) – Alberta native could be a power forward (6 feet, 194 pounds) for the Flames down the road. Over the past two seasons, his penalty minutes jumped from 31 to 93. He also scored 12 goals for Vancouver in 2007-08.

No. 108 Nicholas Larson, LW, Waterloo (USHL) – Minnesota native had 19 goals and 19 assists during the regular season with 66 penalty minutes. The 6-foot-2 forward had a solid postseason showing for Waterloo, contributing five points and 31 penalty minutes in nine contests.

No. 114 T.J. Brodie, D, Saginaw (OHL) – With plenty of stay-at-home types within the organization, the Flames opted for an offensive blueliner in Brodie. Ontario native had four goals and 26 assists for Saginaw.

No. 168 Ryley Grantham, LW, Moose Jaw (WHL) – Resides from the same hometown as Flames’ legend Lanny McDonald. Bruising power forward (6-foot-4, 205 pounds) will bring plenty of size and character.

No. 198 Alexander Deilert, D, Djurgarden Jr. (Sweden Jr.) – Another puck-moving defenseman who the Flames believe made big strides this season. Deilert is expected to play in the Swedish Elite League in 2008-09.

Contact Brian Compton at: [email protected].

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