The 2026 NHL Draft has come and gone for the Calgary Flames, and while many hoped this would be a franchise altering night for the rebuilding organization, some fans have come away from things feeling underwhelmed.
Despite this, the team came away with nine new prospects for fans to get excited about, and while they weren't all hits, there's enough talent that the team now hope they've added some significant pieces of the future.
We won't ultimately know what this draft looks like for at least another three years, but with some potential star power, plenty of grit and a potential long-term goaltending option sprinkled in, let's take a look at all nine picks and grade the 2026 NHL Draft for Calgary.
No. 6 Overall: LHD Carson Carels
Lost in the shuffle of day two is the fact that the Calgary Flames landed a cornerstone piece of their organization on Friday, drafting defenseman Carson Carels from Cyprus River, Manitoba. The 6-foot-2 blue liner plays with an edge while possessing some of the best offensive tools in the draft, and given that he's got the talent to play all scenarios and 20+ minutes a night in the NHL, he will be a long-term piece for the Flames.
On top of that, several times during the draft he was mentioned as a potential future letter wearer in the league, and maybe even a captain, showing just what type of character the team are getting as well. While he may not live up to those lofty heights, Carels was the obvious pick for a team building from their blue line out, and with all of the physical attributes, the character and the fit in Calgary, the board fell perfectly for Craig Conroy.
Grade: A+
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