The Calgary Flames have been searching for a top draft pick for a number of years now, and while they weren't lucky enough to win the Gavin McKenna sweepstakes, the team have a good pick in one of the best draft classes in recent NHL history.
As a result, they head into the event looking to change the fortunes of the franchise, and while a few late round steals will help, the team need to nail their first pick, and in 2026, that will come at No. 6 overall.
Thankfully for the Flames, there will be some top tier prospects available at No. 6, and assuming the team don't move up in the draft, the following are the top five candidate for Calgary to draft with their lottery pick in 2026.
5. LHD Alberts Smits
Of all the picks the Flames could make at No. 6 overall, Alberts Smits is perhaps the most steady, but given his limited offensive upside, it's likely also the most deflating for the fanbase. That's not a shot at Smits, who should be a very good player at the NHL level, but for a team looking for potential superstars, it appears as though he just doesn't fit the bill.
Right now, he's probably also the most NHL ready of any player in the draft beyond the top two of McKenna/Stenberg, but it's safe to say that while he's a very, very safe pick, it would be very underwhelming for a fanbase craving a star.
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