For 16 teams, the hopes and dreams of a Stanley Cup victory remain alive, but for the other 16 teams, their priorities are vastly different. Much like the Calgary Flames, all of those teams are looking forward to key summer dates such as the NHL Draft Lottery, the 2026 NHL Draft, trade possibilities and free agency.
Given that the Flames are guaranteed a top-six pick for the first time since drafting Matthew Tkachuk back in 2016, it's no surprise that many fans see this draft and the Flames lottery luck as the most important event in recent franchise history. While the Stanley Cup Playoffs have just begun, it's now officially mock draft season for many outlets, including the NHL, who have officially released their first mock draft of the off-season.
In this draft, the NHL used the current standings (not taking into account the lottery), with the Flames picking No. 4 and No. 20 as a result. In this mock, senior managing editor of NHL.com Adam Kimelman has the Flames using their No. 4 overall pick on talented OHL defenseman Chase Reid, a move that would be very divisive within the Flames community.
With Zach Whitecloud, Zayne Parekh and Hunter Brzustewicz on the right side, many believe that Carson Carels or Caleb Malhotra (both of whom are available in this mock) are much better suited to the team's future, with offensive upside and the size that could make them centrepiece's of the organization.
With the No. 20 overall pick, Kimelman has gone with incredibly high upside once again, picking one of the two big name twins of the Medicine Hat Tigers, Liam Ruck. Liam and his brother Markus dominated the WHL this past season, and with 45 goals and 104 points in 68 games played, it's easy to see why Ruck would be a great pick for Calgary, especially if the team could turnaround and get his brother in the second round.
On paper, this would be a solid draft for the Flames, but with so many fans wanting this team to fill their biggest needs (centre, LHD), it's unlikely that things will play out like this when the 2026 NHL Draft officially rolls around.
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