C Jonathan Castagna
Jonathan Castagna was one of the key pieces that came back in the Mackenzie Weegar trade with the Utah Mammoth, and while he's not a name well known around the NHL, he has a chance to push for genuine NHL minutes in 2026/27 and beyond. Last year with Cornell, Castagna posted 15 goals and 34 points in 34 games while being one of the best defensive forwards in college hockey, and with great size at 6-foot-2, 200 pounds, he'll be given every opportunity to play in the NHL next year.
However, with Ryan Strome, Morgan Frost and Mikael Backlund taking up the top three centre roles, he won't get that chance right away, but if he starts hot down in the AHL with the Wranglers, expect it to be a matter of when, not if he's given top-nine minutes down the middle with the Flames.
LW Simon Katolicky
Simon Katolicky was a wild card pick for the Flames in the 2026 NHL Draft, but after how things worked out with Ethan Wyttenbach a year ago, the hope is that he can take that type of leap in 2026/27. The 17-year-old product of Czechia certainly has the size at 6-foot-5, 205 pounds, and after putting up 17 points in 29 games for Tappara U20 in Finland with another 3 goals and 6 points in the playoffs, he will make the jump to North America this season.
This gives Flames fans another reason to tune into the OHL, as Katolicky will be suiting up for the Sarnia Sting, and if given the chance, he could produce at a very high level. It's unclear right now what the ceiling is for Katolicky, but if he can score consistently to go along with the physical aspect of his game, he could rise through prospect rankings quickly.
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