The Calgary Flames finally pivoted towards the future and a full on rebuild during the 2025/26 season, and with eight draft picks in the first three rounds in 2026, the future could get a whole lot brighter for this organization. The future arrived this past season with significant improvements from Zayne Parekh, Hunter Brzustewicz and Matvei Gridin, and even without all of those picks, this is still a top tier prospect group in the NHL.
After moving out some veterans, the Flames are likely to see plenty more new faces in 2026/27, and if these young names can take a step forward, the future gets even brighter for the franchise that has struggled to make up their minds on the way forward. In a few months, this list could look a whole lot different, but with the draft upcoming, we're taking the time to rank the top-15 players under 23 in the Calgary Flames organization, with the hope that some of these players can take a leap and become keys for a successful future in Calgary.
Honorable mentions: Max Curran, Kirill Zarubin, Etienne Morin, Luke Misa, Eric Jamieson, Trevor Hoskin, Mace'o Phillips
15. Axel Hurtig, LHD
Under General Manager Craig Conroy, the Calgary Flames have prioritized skill, and with so many of their prospects putting up big numbers at whatever level they're playing at, it appears to be working for the organization thus far. However, the NHL is still full of great physicality, meaning the team can't ignore a big presence, something that Calgary Hitmen captain Axel Hurtig certainly brings to the table.
Originally drafted by the Flames in Conroy's first draft in 2023, Hurtig is a big body standing at 6-foot-4, 217 pounds, and for the Hitmen this past season, he produced a career high in points with 6 goals and 19 points in 64 games played. He may not have the highest ceiling as a prospect, but right now, Hurtig brings intensity and a physical presence, and with the Flames LHD group being weaker than other positions, he could make a big impact for a long time in the NHL for Calgary.
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