6 Calgary Flames prospects who could make NHL debuts this season

The Calgary Flames’ time to compete for a Stanley Cup isn’t here just yet, but the pieces are certainly starting to fall into place.

Though the Flames are still in the early stages of a rebuild, they have several young and exciting pieces set to crack their opening-night roster. Fans are particularly excited to see the strides both Zayne Parekh and Matvei Gridin make, while Matt Coronato and Sam Honzek (should he remain healthy) could be primed for big seasons.

Along with the names mentioned above, the Flames also boast an incredible prospect pool that has the future looking extremely bright. While these particular prospects won’t be on the opening day roster, there is a chance that they log some NHL games late in the 2026-27 season.

The most likely candidates

Cole Reschny

• Position: C
• 2026-27 team: University of North Dakota

The future of the Flames’ blueline appears to be in great hands, though there are still some questions surrounding their forward group. That is why it’s so important that Cole Reschny pans out as hoped.

After being selected 18th overall in 2025, Reschny put up an impressive six goals and 35 points in 36 games as a freshman with the University of North Dakota. He will be returning for his sophomore season and, assuming all pans out, is likely to sign his entry-level deal in the spring.

Ethan Wyttenbach

• Position: LW/RW
• 2026-27 team: Quinnipiac

Ethan Wyttenbach’s stock has climbed in dramatic fashion since being selected in the fifth round of the 2025 draft. After spending his draft-eligible season in the USHL, the 19-year-old joined Quinnipiac in 2025-26 and had a freshman year that nobody will be forgetting anytime soon.

Wyttenbach led all NCAA players in scoring last season with 59 points and was tied for second with 25 goals. While there are still questions surrounding his size, it’s become evident that he possesses world-class skill. He’s already commented that he hopes to join the Flames late in 2026-27, making it feel like a near lock assuming he remains healthy.

Carson Carels

• Position: D
• 2026-27 team: University of North Dakota

The Flames couldn’t get to the podium fast enough to select Carson Carels at sixth overall this past June. The smooth-skating 6-foot-2 defenceman is viewed as the top prospect in the organization and doesn’t appear to be far off from becoming a full-time NHLer.

Carels will be joining Reschny this season at the University of North Dakota. It will be a jump from the WHL, though his dominance in 2025-26 suggests he’s more than ready for it. Assuming the transition is seamless, he could very well join Reschny and get in an NHL game or two late this coming season.

The maybes

Cullen Potter

• Position: C
• 2026-27 team: Michigan State University

While Reschny is the most important forward prospect the Flames have at this time, Cullen Potter is not too far behind. The 19-year-old was selected 32nd overall in 2025 and has both the speed and offensive skills to truly wow fans.

After spending the past two seasons with Arizona State University, Potter transferred to Michigan State in the spring. He’s looking to not only improve on last season’s 26 points, but is also hoping to have better luck on his side when it comes to health. He logged just 24 games in 2025-26 following a season-ending shoulder injury in January.

While Potter isn’t as close to a lock as the prospects listed above, a big season at Michigan State could be enough to entice the Flames to sign him to his entry-level deal this coming spring.

Jonathan Castagna

• Position: C
• 2026-27 team: Calgary Wranglers

While many of the Flames’ most intriguing prospects have been acquired through drafting, GM Craig Conroy has also nabbed some in trades. That includes Jonathan Castagna, who was part of the package acquired from the Utah Mammoth in the MacKenzie Weegar deal last season.

Unlike the others on this list, Castagna’s NHL debut doesn’t have to come late in the season, as he’s already signed to an entry-level contract. That said, he’s expected to spend the 2026-27 campaign with the Wranglers as he learns to adapt to the pro game. Should things go well, he could log a few NHL games, whether it’s late in the season or as an injury fill-in at an earlier date.

Andrew Basha

• Position: LW/RW
• 2026-27 team: Calgary Wranglers

Andrew Basha suited up for 27 games with the Wranglers in 2025-26 before being re-assigned to the WHL’s Medicine Hat Tigers in early January. While his time with the Wranglers didn’t pan out as hoped, he quickly got back on track with the Tigers, registering 18 goals and 50 points in just 32 regular season games.

Set to turn 21 in early November, Basha is now in a better position to succeed with the Wranglers this time around. There’s zero need to rush him into the Flames’ lineup, but he could be an option at some point in 2026-27 should he find his footing at the AHL level.

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