The 2026 NHL Draft was one of the most anticipated in recent history, and with the Calgary Flames coming into the event with five picks in the first two rounds, hopes were high for the rebuilding franchise.
In the first-round, the team landed a potentially franchise altering defenseman in Carson Carels, while adding a potential 2/3C of the future in Jack Hextall with the No. 30 overall pick, coming out of the night with overwhelming positivity. The second round and beyond received mixed reviews, but now that the draft is in the rearview mirror, what's the feeling on this Flames draft class?
According to The Athletic (Corey Pronman, A-, Scott Wheeler 'named the Flames winners'), The Hockey Writers (B+) and Elite Prospects (A-) among others, the feeling on this class is incredibly positive.
2026 NHL Draft Grades (all 32 team files linked within)https://t.co/54hNKP98Bf
— Corey Pronman (@coreypronman) June 27, 2026
The major talking point in Calgary was the use of the No. 65 overall pick on Joe Iginla, and while there were question marks over Chase Harrington at No. 36 overall as well, beyond that, there were positives with every pick that Craig Conroy made.
Late in the draft, the team found a potential steal in double overage centre Egor Barabanov as well as potential in Bode Laylin, but overall, this draft hinges on Hextall becoming a middle-six, reliable centre in the NHL, with the pressure on Carels to become a future leader and two-way star on the Flames blue line.
It will take years to know whether or not the Flames 2026 draft class was a win for the Flames, but if they can find a star in the first round and several other players ot play significant NHL games, the fans should come out of it very, very happy.
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