The Calgary Flames addressed their defensive depth in the 2026 NHL Draft, but the organization's most pressing need—offensive firepower—remains unresolved. General Manager Craig Conroy acknowledged the challenge, stating, "Everybody wants a scorer, so somebody's going to need to step up and grab the reins and we're going to continue to look for trades. We're always looking to add scoring; as you've seen, I've been trying to do it for three years. It's not easy."
Lowest Scoring Team in the NHL
Scoring has been a persistent issue for the Flames. Last season, they were the lowest scoring team in the NHL, managing only 208 goals. Matt Coronato led the team with just 45 points, underscoring the lack of elite offensive production. The team's goaltending and defensive prospects are strong, but the question of where goals will come from looms large.
Draft Strategy: Best Players Available
With the sixth overall pick, the Flames selected Carson Carels, a left-shot defenceman with elite potential. The draft class was heavy on defencemen, with forwards Gavin McKenna and Ivar Stenberg going first and second overall. Later in the first round, Calgary took centre Jack Hextall, a two-way player who does not project as a point-per-game scorer. Conroy defended the strategy, saying, "I think the backend, we do have offensive guys coming on the backend and I think (they will) help generate offence up front."
Future Scoring Options
The Flames are counting on internal growth from young forwards like Matvei Gridin and Matt Coronato, who is entering his third NHL season at age 23. Prospects such as Cole Reschny, Cullen Potter, and Ethan Wyttenbach are also expected to contribute in the coming years. However, the organization still lacks a true first-line superstar. Conroy added, "We're going to need the Matvei Gridins, the Coronatos, we're going to need that group of guys to rise up."
