Could be a Good-to-Great Player in the NHL
Cullen Potter, Theo Stockselius, Henry Mews
Not everyone can be a star in the NHL, but the success of so many teams in recent years comes from getting production from players that don't fit that category, with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2026 being a perfect example of that, with teams like Florida, Tampa Bay and Vegas all thriving due to their depth.
The majority of players in this category will come from the late first-round to the third round, which all three Flames prospects in this space were, with the best of the three being Cullen Potter, a late first-round pick in teh 2025 NHL Draft. Unlike others in the Flames organization that use their high-end skill, Potter is all about the speed, and that elite level trait allowed him to post 26 points in 24 games last year before a season ending injury at Arizona State. This season, he'll take the ice for Michigan State and will see a major increase in competition, and if he thrives there, don't be shocked to see Potter as a long-term answer in the Flames middle-six.
Next up is the often overlooked Theo Stockselius, and while he likely isn't ever going to play a role as the Flames top centre, given the size and the skillset, there's no reason why he couldn't secure a spot as their 2 or 3C long-term. When he was picked, many were surprised by Craig Conroy's decision, and the injuries may end up holding him back to a degree, if he can build on a great playoffs in Sweden and develop his game, this is a player that could wear the Flaming C for years to come.
Finally in this tier is defenseman Henry Mews, who like Potter suffered a season ending injury in college a year ago, and while he's going to turn 21 in March, he's got more than enough offensive upside to be seen as a player of the future in Calgary. Before being injured, Mews was putting up numbers against tough competition for Michigan, with 9 assists in 10 games played, and if he can put together a good year in 2026/27, there's no reason why he couldn't push for a significant Flames roster spot in the next 2-3 years.
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