2. Carson Carels
Carson Carels was drafted less than a month ago by the Calgary Flames, and while he wasn't present at the draft in Buffalo, his name was spoken very highly of, with many analysts mentioning him as a player that will have a letter on his jersey in the NHL one day. It's easy to see why as well, as he comes across as a very humble, likeable person, and given the physical two-way style he plays on the blue line, he's a clear cut leader of the future.
Carels will be spending the 2026/27 season at college with fellow Flames prospect Cole Reschny, and with the team holding either the first or second pairing LHD spot open for him, the expectation is that he will arrive in Calgary by the end of the season. It wouldn't be easy for Carels to transition from just one NCAA season and then a following NHL season to be named captain, but if the team want a captain immediately after Backlund likely departs the team, betting on a young player from humble roots with immense upside is a definite option for Calgary.
1. Cole Reschny
While Carson Carels is the hot new name on the block in Calgary, one person stood out at 2026 Flames development camp for his poise and leadership, and that's 2025 first-round pick Cole Reschny. From the moment he arrived, there were certain leadership qualities that stood out about the Saskatchewan native, and while he may never be the top player to come out of the Flames rebuild, he's a great two-way prospect that could be a fantastic captain for years to come.
Heading into the 2027 World Juniors, Team Canada is losing players such as Porter Martone, Gavin McKenna and so much other firepower, and as a result, many believe that Reschny as a returner is the perfect captain for that team as well.
Putting all of this pressure on a 19-year-old certainly is exactly why some in Calgary were resistent to a rebuild for years, but right now the future hinges on the shoulders of this deep prospect group, so why not expect one, if not more of them to play roles with a letter on their chest? If a new captain is named after the 2028/29 season, Reschny will have just one year under his belt, but as a 21-year-old at the time, he'll have high expectations on his shoulders, and after Mikael Backlund served as captain for the past several years, he's a player that would slide into that role perfectly if he adjusts to the NHL game as quick as expected.
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