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Who should the Calgary Flames draft at sixth overall?

Colton Pankiw
Colton Pankiw
|
May 6 2026, 5:35 pm
Who should the Calgary Flames draft at sixth overall?
Stephen R. Sylvanie/Imagn Images

The Calgary Flames won’t be picking as high as they’d hoped at this year’s draft, but are still in position to land a great prospect.

Flames fans were hopeful that Tuesday’s draft lottery would wind up allowing the organization to obtain a top-three draft pick for the first time in franchise history. Instead, they moved back a few spots and will now select at sixth overall.

This was a frustrating result for Flames fans, many of whom were already picturing Gavin McKenna flying down the ice wearing the Flaming “C.” Fortunately, the top-10 players are said to be very strong, meaning that while there will be no McKenna in Calgary, the organization will still be adding another top-notch prospect.

Here’s a look at some of the prospects who could be available for the taking when the Flames hit the podium.

Chase Reid

  • Position: RHD
  • 2025-26 stats: 45 GP, 18 G, 30 A, 48 PTS (Soo Greyhounds, OHL)

The chances of Chase Reid being available when the Flames head up to the podium aren’t great, though it’s worth mentioning that there are several prospects fighting to be the first defenceman taken. As of now, it appears Reid holds the slight upper hand in that regard.

Reid, who stands at 6-foot-3, 195 pounds, has drawn comparisons to Columbus Blue Jackets blueliner Zach Werenski.

While not as physical as some other defencemen on this list, Reid has elite offensive instincts and is said to have excellent mobility. Should he still be available at sixth, the Flames should be all over him.

Keaton Verhoeff

  • Position: RHD
  • 2025-26 stats: 36 GP, 6 G, 14 A, 20 PTS (North Dakota, NCAA)

Keaton Verhoeff impressed so many scouts early in the 2025-26 season that there was talk he could wind up surpassing McKenna and be taken with the first-overall pick. Things have cooled down on that front, with many now projecting him to go in the 5-7 range.

While many Flames fans would prefer to see the organization draft a centreman, Verhoeff would be hard to ignore should he still be available.

The 6-foot-4, 208-pound defenceman has strong two-way abilities, a great shot from the point, and isn’t shy in terms of physicality.

Viggo Bjƶrck

  • Position: C/RW
  • 2025-26 stats: 42 GP, 6 G, 9 A, 15 PTS (DjurgĆ„rdens IF, SHL)

As far as centres go, Viggo Bjƶrck could wind up being the best available when it comes to the Flames’ time to make their pick. The 18-year-old, who starred for Sweden in the World Juniors with nine points in seven games, didn’t at all look out of place playing in one of the top leagues in the world this season.


Though there are some concerns with Bjƶrck’s size at 5-foot-10, 172 pounds, he’s described as a player who isn’t afraid to go to the rough areas in order to make plays.

The right-shot forward is also extremely detail-oriented, making him a player coaches can trust to put on the ice in any situation.

Carson Carels

  • Position: LHD
  • 2025-26 stats: 58 GP, 20 G, 53 A, 73 PTS (Prince George Cougars, WHL)

There are few defencemen in this draft that have more offensive upside than Carson Carels. The 17-year-old, who projects as a top-pairing blueliner, is described as having a very solid two-way game.

Much like Verhoeff, he is also very comfortable playing a physical style, which is no surprise given his 6-foot-2, 198-pound stature.

Making Carels all the more intriguing is that he’s been on record saying he hopes to be drafted by a Canadian franchise. Again, many Flames fans would prefer a centreman, but Carels would be another defenceman who would be hard to pass on if he’s still available.

Caleb Malholtra

  • Position: C
  • 2025-26 stats: 67 GP, 29 G, 55 A, 84 PTS (Brantford Bulldogs, OHL)

There are very few players in this year’s draft whose stock has risen like Caleb Malholtra’s. While thought of as a solid prospect heading into the 2025-26 season, his stock has climbed so much to the point where some believe he could go as high as third overall.

Given his breakout season with the Brantford Bulldogs, Malholtra may not be up for grabs by the time the Flames are called on. If he does fall, however, GM Craig Conroy has an opportunity to add a great two-way, left-shot centreman who is described as having elite playmaking abilities.

Alberts Smits

  • Position: LHD
  • 2025-26 stats: 38 GP, 6 G, 7 A, 13 PTS (Jukurit, Liiga)

Yet another blueliner expected to go early in this year’s draft is the 6-foot-3, 205-pound Alberts Smits. The 18-year-old spent the majority of the 2025-26 season with Jukurit in the Liiga.

Smits is said to use his big frame to his advantage in the defensive zone, though he is described as being more offensive-minded. There are some questions regarding his overall defensive game, though that is often the case for offensively gifted defencemen.

Smits’ ceiling doesn’t appear to be as high as some others on this list, but he still has the makings to become a dependable top-four blueliner for years to come.

Tynan Lawrence

  • Position: C
  • 2025-26 stats: 18 GP, 2 G, 5 A, 7 PTS (Boston College, NCAA)

Tynan Lawrence was a player viewed as having top-three potential in this year’s draft to kick off the 2025-26 season. Unfortunately, an injury-riddled season, paired with disappointing offensive totals, has seen his stock fall.

Based on most mock drafts, Lawrence should be available by the time the Flames step up to the podium. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound centre is described as an explosive skater with elite offensive skill.

The question for the Flames may very well come down to whether they draft based on the best player available or prefer to fill an organizational need. If it’s option two, Lawrence could wind up being the best available.

Ethan Belchetz

  • Position: LW
  • 2025-26 stats: 57 GP, 34 G, 25 A, 59 PTS (Windsor Spitfires, OHL)

One player who many teams would love to take in this year’s draft is Ethan Belchetz. The 18-year-old winger stands at a hulking 6-foot-5, 228 pounds, though it’s not just his size that makes him so intriguing.

Belchetz is described as a true power forward with great hands and an extremely high hockey IQ. He also possesses a fantastic shot, which helped him put up 34 goals in the OHL this season.

Given that the Flames are picking in the sixth slot, Belchetz may be a bit of a reach for them. That said, adding a forward of his size and skill into the organization is something that Flames fans would be quite excited about.

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