The Calgary Flames may not control who goes first overall, but they could end up controlling much of what happens after that.
Armed with 11 selections, including the sixth overall pick and eight choices inside the top 68, Calgary enters the 2026 NHL Draft with more flexibility than almost any team in the league. Whether that means making the picks, moving around the board, or pursuing trades, general manager Craig Conroy knows the Flames have options.
And in a draft class Conroy believes is unusually difficult to predict, that flexibility could prove invaluable.
“I don’t. I think it’s one of those years where they’re all really good players,” Conroy told Sportsnet when asked if he had a sense of how the top six might shake out.
For Calgary, that uncertainty isn’t a concern — it’s an opportunity.
With four second-round picks and a stockpile of assets, the Flames are positioned to be one of the draft’s most active teams if the right opportunity presents itself.
“We have a lot of ammunition to either make picks, move them or make trades,” Conroy added. “The options are definitely one of the things that makes it exciting for us.”
That flexibility extends well beyond the first round. As draft day approaches, Conroy said discussions with other clubs have already intensified, particularly involving Calgary’s collection of second-round selections.
“There are definitely lots of calls and conversations with teams about all our picks,” Conroy continued.
Still, for all the talk about trades and movement, the most important decision remains the one attached to the sixth overall pick.
The Flames have an obvious need for more offensive production, leading many to assume a forward will be the priority. Conroy, however, made it clear Calgary won’t be drafting based solely on positional need.
“I’m not going to go to the best player, I’m going to say the right player,” he stated.
And that’s where the debate really begins.
Ask five draft analysts what Calgary’s biggest organizational need is and you’ll probably get two different answers. One camp believes the Flames still lack a true No. 1 center capable of driving a Stanley Cup contender. The other sees a glaring need for a future top-pairing defenseman who can dictate the game from the back end.
The Hockey News leans toward the latter.
If he’s available when Calgary steps to the podium, Carson Carels could be difficult to pass up. The dynamic defenseman turned heads across the WHL this season, finishing with 20 goals and 73 points while establishing himself as one of the league’s most dangerous offensive blue-liners. Those numbers ranked fifth among WHL defensemen in goals and fourth in total points, helping earn him a finalist nomination for WHL Defenseman of the Year.
What stands out most isn’t necessarily the production — it’s how he generates it. Carels thrives with the puck on his stick, pushes play through the neutral zone and has a knack for creating offense seemingly out of nowhere. Comparisons to Cale Makar are unfair for almost any young defenseman, but elements of Carels’ game — particularly his skating and ability to attack off the rush — inevitably invite them.
Then there’s Keaton Verhoeff, another defenseman expected to hear his name called early. The Victoria Royals standout produced 21 goals and 45 points in 63 games as a 16-year-old, a remarkable accomplishment considering only two younger WHL defensemen in league history have scored more goals at that age. Verhoeff combines offensive instincts with a physical edge that NHL teams covet, making him one of the most intriguing long-term projects in the class.
Another name worth monitoring is Alberts Šmits.
The Latvian defender already owns something few draft-eligible prospects can claim: Olympic experience. While Latvia isn’t stocked with NHL stars, earning a spot on an Olympic roster as a teenager remains a notable achievement. Šmits split the season between Germany and Finland, appearing at both the professional and junior levels while recording 12 goals and 23 points in 43 games.
His strongest impression may have come at the World Junior Championship. Serving in a leadership role for Latvia, Šmits was consistently one of the country’s best players, finishing with five points in five games while earning recognition as one of Latvia’s top performers throughout the tournament.
Of course, if Calgary decides its biggest need remains down the middle, Tynan Lawrence could emerge as a serious option.
Lawrence’s appeal extends beyond his offensive upside. The Boston University forward has developed a reputation for seeking out challenges rather than avoiding them. His decision to make the jump to the NCAA forced him to adapt to a faster, heavier and far more demanding style of hockey, and while the transition wasn’t always smooth, it showcased the resilience NHL teams love to see in young players.
Before arriving at Boston University, Lawrence dominated in the USHL. He averaged better than a point per game as a 16-year-old with Muskegon, earned All-Rookie Team honors, helped capture a Clark Cup championship and was later named tournament MVP. He eventually took over as captain and posted 17 points in 13 games before moving on to the collegiate ranks.
What makes Lawrence particularly intriguing for Calgary is the way he plays. He competes hard, embraces physical hockey and consistently pushes himself into uncomfortable situations to improve. Those are traits Conroy and the Flames have repeatedly prioritized during the rebuild.
If the Flames ultimately decide their future is strongest down the middle, don’t be surprised if Lawrence becomes one of the names receiving serious consideration when Calgary is on the clock.
