With training camps opening up across the National Hockey League, the Calgary Flames have a very young group coming in with few open roster spots, the fight is on to make the Flames opening night lineup. For the purposes of this list, players are considered prospects when they are 23 years old or younger, and have played 41 games or less in the NHL.
10. Jacob Battaglia
Battaglia has improved year over year in the OHL, and as a late second round pick in 2024 could turn into a little bit of a steal if the trend continues in the future.
9. Hunter Brzustewicz
Brzustewicz is a big bodied puck mover with tremendous skill, the lacks in his game revolve around being a good defender. Something he's no doubt worked on in the offseason. With rumours swirlling around a right shot defender leaving, the door could be open to him later on this season.
8. Henry Mews
Mews is someone who has climbed the rankings, his size and skill have made him a worthy candidate as a top prospect, with selection to Canada's 2024 under-18's World Championship winning team, picking up 3 points in the gold medal game.
7. William Stromgren
Stromgren's first season had to be jarring, moving from his home country over to Calgary had to be difficult, but his second season saw him improve considerably doubling his goal count.
6. Yan Kuznetsov
With the size and strength that he possesses, and a couple of pro seasons under his belt could this be the year Kuznetsov shows what he can be in the NHL as a shutdown defender and first pass able puck mover? Time will tell.
5. Cole Reschny
Reschny has all the potential to be one of Calgary's top centre's, and after a season in the NCAA could crack the NHL roster as soon as next season. The Flames most recent first-rounder is shaping up to be a star.
4. Matvei Gridin
Gridin is someone worth considering to open the season with the Flames, in his past season in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League, he put up some massive numbers, 36 goals and 79 points, in just 56 games.
3. Aydar Suniev
Suniev is a bit of a sleeper pick on this list, but could very well be a fast riser. The third round pick in 2023 could quite possibly be the Flames best prospect after a year of professional hockey.
2. Samuel Honzek
Honzek got so close to staying with the Flames in 2024-25, getting in 5 games before being injured and sent down to the Wranglers for some seasoning, playing 52 games with 8 goals and 21 points. Honzek's potential is worth talking about.
1. Zayne Parekh
Zayne Parekh is undoubtably the Flames number one prospect, drafted 9th overall in the 2024 NHL Draft, and is the second defenceman in Ontario Hockey League history to score 30 goals in back-to-back seasons. The other, Bobby Orr. It's either NHL or OHL for Parekh, so expect him to crack the Flames roster this season.
More from Flame for Thought: