The Calgary Flames are just a few days away from learning where they'll be drafting in the 2026 NHL Draft, and unless they land the No. 1 overall pick and the top prospect in Gavin McKenna, they'll have a monumental decision to make.
The top of the 2026 draft is full of talent, but one of the most intriguing and polarizing prospects is Prince George Cougars blue liner Carson Carels, who is rocketing up the draft board for many analysts heading into the draft. At 6-foot-2 with all of the skills and the swagger that's needed to be a top start in the NHL, the LHD would fit the Calgary Flames needs perfectly, with a very rare mix of size, physicality, speed and skill.
This past season in the WHL, Carels put up an incredible 20 goals and 73 points in just 58 games played, following it up with 1 goal and 10 points in 10 games played, being the driving force behind this offensive unit from the blue line. The Manitoba native is drawing immense interest in the draft, with some having him as high as the No. 3 prospect ahead of June's draft, and as a Canadian, there's always the looming, potential pressure of being drafted by a Canadian team.
For some, that forces them to shy away from the spotlight and the opportunity, but for Carels, it would be a dream come true as he reveals in an interview with TSN's Mark Masters.
"I'm hoping a Canadian team drafts me so we can bring the Stanley Cup back to Canada."Carson Carels
Carson Carels on:
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) April 30, 2026
🏒Staying home for NHL draft
🏒Farm life translating to ice🐄
🏒No. 2⃣ on @CraigJButton list
🏒Inspired by Parekh at World Juniors
🏒Hoping to be picked by 🇨🇦 team
🏒Admiration for Sanderson
Catching up with @PGCougars d-man 👇https://t.co/K9v8mThzuW
Sure, some Flames fans want the team to draft the best forward possible, regardless of which prospect has the highest potential, but with the team landing Zayne Parekh and Hunter Brzustewicz on the right side, adding an elite level, two-way blue liner like Carels on the left would be the perfect move.
Ultimately, it would make sense for the Flames to land Carels if McKenna, Caleb Malhotra and Ivar Stenberg are off the board, landing a confident, talented Canadian that wants to play at home would be an incredible consolation prize.
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