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8 top prospects Calgary Flames could land at the 2026 draft

Colton Pankiw
Colton Pankiw
|
Nov 25 2025, 10:53 pm
8 top prospects Calgary Flames could land at the 2026 draft
Barry Reeger/Imagn Images

Sitting 31st in the NHL standings, the Calgary Flames are in a prime position to have a high pick at the 2026 draft.

Receiving that high pick could wind up being a crucial point for the organization, who lack scoring talent up front and has never had a top-three pick. There’s still plenty of season left to be played, but the Flames have looked every bit like a lottery team through their first 24 games, even with their current three-game winning streak.

Should the Flames continue to sputter along, they will be well on their way to having a high selection at the draft, perhaps even picking top three for the first time. Here’s a look at some of the top prospects and who they could select with the first of their two first-round picks.

1. Gavin McKenna

  • Position: LW
  • 2025-26 stats: 16 GP, 4 G, 14 A, 18 PTS (Penn State/NCAA)
  • Size: 6-foot, 165 pounds

Gavin McKenna doesn’t need much of an introduction. He’s a player Flames fans have had their eye on for some time, and that won’t be changing in the upcoming months.

Though McKenna’s freshman season with Penn State has gotten off to a slower start than expected, his numbers should rise as he continues to adjust to the college level. At this time, it’s still widely believed that he will be picked first overall in June.

2. Keaton Verhoeff

  • Position: D
  • 2025-26 stats: 12 GP, 4 G, 4 A, 8 PTS (North Dakota/NCAA)
  • Size: 6-foot-4, 212 pounds

If there were a player to supplant Gavin McKenna from his number-one spot, it seems as though it will be Keaton Verhoeff. The 17-year-old defenceman is also being viewed as a can’t-miss prospect. His transition to the college level has been seamless, as he’s managed an impressive eight points in 12 games.

Verhoeff, who is a right-hand shot, stands at 6-foot-4, 212 pounds. He will only continue to grow into his frame, which will make him a very intimidating presence at the NHL level. His skating could use improvement, but there is already a ton to like about his game.

3. Ivar Stenberg

  • Position: LW
  • 2025-26 stats: 21 GP, 5 G, 15 A, 20 PTS (Frolunda HC/SHL)
  • Size: 6-foot, 181 pounds

Though it’s unlikely to bank on him going first overall in the draft, whoever ends up with Ivar Stenberg is going to be very happy. From a points-per-game perspective in the SHL, he sits ahead of names like Daniel and Henrik Sedin in their draft-eligible seasons.

4. Ethan Belchetz

  • Position: LW
  • 2025-26 stats: 23 GP, 16 G, 12 A, 28 PTS (Windsor Spitfires/OHL)
  • Size: 6-foot-5, 228 pounds

What immediately stands out about Ethan Belchetz is his size, but he brings far more than just that. He has phenomenal hands and a great shot, as proven by the number of goals he’s already scored in the OHL this season.

5. Tynan Lawrence

  • Position: C
  • 2025-26 stats: 2 GP, 1 G, 1 A, 2 PTS (Muskegon Lumberjacks/USHL)
  • Size: 6-foot-1, 185 pounds

At this time, the best centre entering the draft is Tynan Lawrence. That’s notable for the Flames, who are in desperate need of help down the middle of the ice. The unfortunate part is that we haven’t been able to see much of him this season due to a lower-body injury.

6. Carson Carels

  • Position: D
  • 2025-26 stats: 23 GP, 6 G, 18 A, 24 PTS (Prince George Cougars/WHL)
  • Size: 6-foot-2, 202 pounds

The Flames have a lot of good defencemen in their pipeline, which has most thinking they will lean towards taking a forward this coming draft. That said, Carson Carels may be a tough option to pass on depending on where they wind up picking. The stats show what he can provide offensively, and he’s every bit as good in his own end of the ice.

7. Adam Novotny

  • Position: LW
  • 2025-26 stats: 24 GP, 14 G, 12 A, 26 PTS (Peterborough Petes/OHL)
  • Size: 6-foot-1, 204 pounds

Adam Novotny’s stats this season don’t jump off the page, but part of that has been a result of transitioning to the North American style of game. The skilled winger chose to play in the OHL this season after spending 2024-25 playing pro in Czechia.

8. Mathis Preston

  • Position: RW
  • 2025-26 stats: 21 GP, 8 G, 9 A, 17 PTS (Spokane Chiefs/WHL)
  • Size: 5-foot-11, 177 pounds

It’s been a bit of a slow start to the season for Mathis Preston, who put up 45 points in 54 games as a 16-year-old with the Spokane Chiefs in 2024-25. Nonetheless, he brings great speed and also has an impressive release, making him a name to keep an eye on as we get closer to the draft.

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