4. Axel Hurtig
When it comes to the Calgary Flames rebuild, it's become cleaar that they've prioritized finishing the blue line before anything else, and after drafting Zayne Parekh and Carson Carels while adding Simon Nemec and Hunter Brzustewicz all within two years, that goal may be close to being completed.
One name that could be a surprise NHL piece in the years to come is a former seventh-round pick in Axel Hurtig, who, at 6-foot-4, 217 pounds has used his physicality to dominate the junior ranks for the past few years. That doesn't translate to offensive output, as he posted just 6 goals and 19 points across 64 games with the Calgary Hitmen a year ago, but given how the Flames need this type of physical threat on the blue line, he'll have a good opportunity at playing time moving forward.
Sure, that likely means he'll only been on the Wranglers third pairing this season, but given his size and the way he can impact a game physically, he'll be a different type of prospect for Flames fans to watch in the next few months.
3. Aydar Suniev
In 2025/26, the Flames got another look at former third-round pick Aydar Suniev, and while he had just one assist in six games played, in that stretch late in the season, he showed more and more how comfortable he was getting in the NHL.
During his run with the Wranglers, it took him some time to get going as well, but across 57 games, he ended the season with 16 goals and 24 points, showing signs that his shot is ready to be a true difference maker at the highest level. Despite this, he's still not found his consistency just yet, and at just 21-years-old, the organization is clearly happy to be patient with his development, and if he can take that next step in the AHL, a spot will no doubt open up for him in 2027/28.
For now though, he's set to take one of the wing spots in the top-six, and with an elite release and improving physicality, this could be the year that we finally see Suniev become more than just a good player at the professional level.
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