Ranking the 10 best Calgary Flames draft picks in recent memory

7. Jakob Pelletier – No. 26 overall in 2019

The Calgary Flames may have received plenty of criticism a season ago for the lack of youth in their lineup, but when young players did get the chance to make an impact, they did so in a big way, and there’s no better example of that than Jakob Pelletier. The 22-year old had a stellar four year career in the QMJHL before being drafted late in the first round back in 2019, and after just 24 games played in the NHL, he’s got Flames fans excited about their young pieces going forward.

In those games, Pelletier proved to be an energetic, likeable kid who’s enthusiasm clearly rubbed off on the rest of the team, and while he produced just 3 goals and 4 assists over that time, the Flames may have themselves a key winger for the future of this team, a risk that paid off late in the first round.

6. Oliver Kylington – No. 50 overall in 2015

The Calgary Flames drafting may not have been as consistent as many would have hoped over the past decade, but they have managed to find a solid core of young players that could lead them into the future, and after missing the entire 2022-23 season, one that goes highly overlooked is defenceman Oliver Kylington. The 26-year old was drafted No. 50 overall back in 2015, and finally worked up to a career year in 2021-22 with 9 goals and 22 assists in 73 games played, making it safe to say that the second round of the 2015 NHL Draft was very kind to the Flames.

Kylington is yet to prove himself as a consistent force for Calgary, but getting a potential piece for their second blue line pairing in the second round is always great value, and given how badly the offensive performance of this defence fell off a season ago without him, the Flames are looking forward to having him back next year.