One Selection
Nikita Klepov
Nikita Klepov is one of the more unpredictable players heading into the 2026 NHL Draft, as some mock drafts have him going in the mid-teens, while others see him last all the way into the first few picks of the second round. In one mock draft however, he's available for the Flames, and they capitalize by picking up one of the most intriguing prospects in this class.
Based on pure production, Klepov would be a no-brainer, as he dominated for the Saginaw Spirit in the OHL this past season, posting 37 goals and 97 points in 67 games played, establishing himself as a player with a very high ceiling at the next level. Not only that, but he doesn't turn 18 for another few months, and with good size at 6-foot-0, 180 pounds and the ability to grow phyiscally, he's got a very high upside.
Klepov was only picked once out of the 10 mock drafts we have covered, passing the Flames just once and being picked 8 times beforehand, but if he's there, the team could do a lot worse than another skilled winger that could be a top-sixer player in the NHL if he reaches potential.
Xavier Villeneuve
While the Flames target in the 2026 NHL Draft should be a potential top-six centre of the future, they've also got a major hole to fill at LHD, and Xavier Villeneuve is exactly the type of player that could fill a role for them moving forward.
Villeneuve may be on the smaller side at 5-foot-11, 162 pounds, but the offensive upside more than makes up for it, as he has posted 26 goals and 143 points across his three seasons in the QMJHL thus far. Given the lack of high-end physical traits, Villeneuve may take a few years of development before he can be a full-time NHLer, but with the team clearly focusing on skill and speed in recent drafts, he could be a great pick late in the first-round.
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