After landing Simon Nemec via trade and selecting Carson Carels sixth overall in the 2026 NHL Draft, the Calgary Flames have assembled a formidable collection of young defenders. The newest blueliners join other notable under-23 rearguards like Zayne Parekh, Hunter Brzustewicz, and Henry Mews, not to mention 24-year-old Yan Kuznetsov, who became a full-time NHLer for the club last season.
Defensive Foundation Set for a Decade
This phase of the rebuild has potentially set the team's back end up for the next decade. With Dustin Wolf already established as a starting goaltender, much of the groundwork for building a contender appears complete. However, the Flames still lack one key ingredient: blue-chip, superstar forwards. This will need to become general manager Craig Conroy's primary focus over the next couple of seasons for the franchise to advance to the next stage of the rebuild.
Forward Prospects Show Promise But Lack Star Power
This isn't to say the organization lacks quality forward prospects. Cole Reschny, selected 18th overall in 2025, played for Canada's world junior team and was a point-per-game freshman in college. Ethan Wyttenbach led the entire NCAA in scoring last year despite being a fifth-round pick. Matvei Gridin made the NHL as a 19-year-old and was one of Calgary's most dangerous forwards by the end of the season.
But none of these players currently project as cornerstone offensive talents. The Flames have not found their next Jarome Iginla or Johnny Gaudreau, let alone a Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, or Auston Matthews type—the kind of player who forms the nucleus of a championship contender.
Other Teams Have Taken Opposite Approach
Looking around the current NHL landscape, several ascendant teams have taken the opposite approach. The San Jose Sharks loaded up on talent up front by drafting William Eklund (seventh overall), Will Smith (fourth overall), Macklin Celebrini (first overall), and Michael Misa (second overall), before adding Ivar Stenberg later in the most recent draft. They have only recently begun reinforcing their blue line with Sam Dickinson and Keaton Verhoeff.
The Anaheim Ducks began to emerge from their rebuild last year, led by players like Leo Carlsson (second overall), Beckett Sennecke (third overall), and Cutter Gauthier (acquired from the Flyers after being selected fifth overall). Mason McTavish (third overall) put together four seasons of 40 or more points before being flipped at the trade deadline for the 15th overall pick.
No Right or Wrong Way to Accumulate Talent
There isn't necessarily a right or wrong way to accrue talent during the restock phase. Parekh and Carels were the best players available at ninth and sixth overall in their respective drafts. Mews has developed into a Grade A prospect since being selected in the third round. Nemec was made available because of some struggles in New Jersey. Conroy and the scouting staff have simply had more opportunities to add young defenders so far.
According to Kent Wilson of the Calgary Herald, the Flames' rebuild now hinges on finding elite forwards to complement their strong defensive core and goaltending.
