My friend @geomcnary thinks Carels draws into the lineup this year, but I disagree. What do you believe his development path to be?
FlamesNation has no direct affiliation to the Calgary Flames, Calgary Sports and Entertainment, NHL, or NHLPA
Monday Mailbag: Closing out August with reader questions!
Pals, we’re into the very last days of the month of August. Several Calgary Flames prospects have hit the ice across European and Canadian major junior hockey. Several more will join them in a couple weeks when prospects training camp begins here in Calgary.
As we prepare for the frenzy of activity that will come in September, let’s dive into the mailbag!
Well, Carson Carels has already reported to college and the plan is for him to, well, play a full year of college and chase a national championship with Cole Reschny. But he told the assembled media at development camp that he’s aiming to sign after one year in college. And unless he struggles in college, we suspect that he’ll make his NHL debut either at the very end of the 2026-27 NHL season… or to kick off 2027-28.
The Flames are really excited about Carels and nothing we’ve seen from him this summer, whether at development camp or the World Junior Summer Showcase, has thrown the brakes on that quite yet.
How do you think the Babcock experiment ends for Oilers. I don’t think it will go well.
It really feels like Mike Babcock is here for a short period of time to try to get the Edmonton Oilers over the hump. A lot of things will need to go right for the Oilers for them to return to the Stanley Cup Final, and anything short of a parade next June will be seen as a failure. It’s a challenging spot for any coach to be placed into, let along one with Babcock’s ample baggage.
Who are you most excited to see play this year on the Flames?
After how well he played to close out the 2025-26 campaign, I’m really excited to see Zayne Parekh’s sophomore NHL season.
What are realistic point totals to expect for Parekh this season, assuming top 4 and 2nd unit PP minutes? Is less than 30pts a 'failure to launch"?
After the trade deadline, Zayne Parekh posted eight points in 20 games. Over an 84 game season, that’s the equivalent of a 33 point effort. Based on Parekh’s skillset and role, let’s hope for somewhere in the 30-35 point range for Parekh in 2026-27.
Ryan, just a best hypothetical guess pls. Let’s say the Jets trade Hellebuyck and target Cooley to tandem with Sninner. What could the Flames ask for in return given his season last year and the Flames goaltending department reputation for making players better. Thanks!
Right now, I don’t see the Flames moving Devin Cooley anytime soon. Arsenii Sergeev, their ostensible number three, is promising but having Cooley right now gives the Flames some runway to build him up. They do not need to rush anybody and I think they see how building up Dustin Wolf turned out and think it’s the right approach for goaltenders.
If you were to move Cooley, getting a second or third-round pick back would probably fit the bill. He’s cost controlled and quite good, even if he hasn’t yet put up the body of work to be a definitive starter at the NHL level.
Is the roof complete on the new arena?
Scotia Place’s roof is not 100% complete as of Saturday morning. There’s still a bit of a gap in the middle, but we suspect it’ll be all closed up before too long.
What’s your way to early 2027-28 opening night roster? Would be interesting to see how players like wyttenbach and reschny slot in
This is very tentative, and built assuming that there are no trades of incumbent roster players… but that the Flames part ways with all of their upcoming unrestricted free agents:
Gridin – Reschny – Coronato
Huberdeau – Potter – Wyttenbach
Honzek – Backlund – Farabee
Zary – Gross – Sharangovich
(Klapka/Pospisil)
Huberdeau – Potter – Wyttenbach
Honzek – Backlund – Farabee
Zary – Gross – Sharangovich
(Klapka/Pospisil)
Bahl – Nemec
Carels – Parekh
Kuznetsov – Whitecloud
(Middleton)
Carels – Parekh
Kuznetsov – Whitecloud
(Middleton)
Wolf
Cooley
Cooley
It is admittedly very prospect-heavy, and I’m not in love with that fourth line. I really like how the defensive group is starting to shape up, though.
The Daily Faceoff Calgary Monday Mailbag is presented to you by Village Honda
Looking to sell your vehicle? Village Honda wants to buy it. We offer complimentary, no obligation appraisals, payment in 24 hours, top value trade in values and best of all, no stress. Skip selling your vehicle privately and stop in Village Honda today. No appointment necessary.
Village Honda is proud to be your dealership for life in Calgary since 1987. We are located in the Northwest Auto Mall under the giant Canadian flag or online at www.villagehonda.com.
Breaking News
- Monday Mailbag: Closing out August with reader questions!
- FN’s 2026 Flames summer prospect rankings – the individual lists and conclusion
- 7 free agents the Flames should target for 2026-27 professional try-outs
- A Flame from the Past: Frank Musil
- NHL Notebook: Kevin Korchinski signs two-year contract with Blackhawks
Calgary FlamesTeam Cap Summary
Cap Summary
2026-27
2027-28
Projected Cap Hit
$89,116,666
$70,041,666
Projected Cap Space
$14,883,334
$43,458,334
Current Cap Space
$14,883,334
$43,458,334
Active Players
23/23
16/23
Draft Picks
Round
'26
'27
1
2
1
2
3
2
3
1
2