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Flames receive an ‘A’ in Daily Faceoff’s post-draft report card
Photo credit: James Doyle - Prince George Cougars
Jun 28, 2026, 13:30 EDTUpdated: Jun 28, 2026, 12:18 EDT
After two days and seven rounds of selections, the Calgary Flames have emerged from the 2026 NHL Entry Draft with nine new prospects.
So how did Calgary’s draft compared to other franchises across the league? On Saturday, Daily Faceoff’s Steven Ellis published his annual draft report card, grading each team’s selections at this year’s event. Ellis was fond of the work of Flames GM Craig Conroy and his team, giving Calgary an ‘A’ on their draft.
Listing Calgary’s notable picks as Carson Carels, Jack Hextall, and Chase Harrington, Ellis wrote:
The Flames snagged the best left-handed defender in Carson Carels, the best goaltender in Tobias Trejbal and one of the best overagers in Egor Barabanov. I also like Chase Harrington, and feel like Jack Hextall could have a decent career if he can work on his 5-on-5 offense. I like his hockey sense, but the production beyond the power play leaves a bit to be desired. Simon Katolicky is a nice bet at the No. 132 pick – he was once viewed as a potential top 10 prospect, but had a terrible year. If he can find his game again in the OHL, it might be a steal of a pick. Joe Iginla at No. 65 was fun, but like 125 picks earlier than it needed to be.
Carels is no doubt the headline pick for Calgary. The 18-year-old blueliner was expected by some NHL experts to be the Flames’ sixth-overall selection, while others believed he wouldn’t fall that far. He’s a solid, long-term add for the Flames, shoring up their defensive unit for years to come.
Beyond their first pick, Calgary managed to come away with depth at just about every position. As Ellis notes, Tobias Trejbal will be one to watch, as the top goaltender selected in this year’s draft. Trejbal posted a 30-9-3 record and a .916 SV% with the Youngstown Phantoms this year in the USHL. He is now committed to University of Massachusetts for the 2026-27 season.
Offensively, centreman Jack Hextall and winger Chase Harrington give Flames fans a lot to look forward to as well. Hextall also played with the Phantoms this past season, logging 58 points in 59 games. Harrington, meanwhile, tallied 57 points in 61 games with the Spokane Chiefs in the WHL.
Give us your thoughts, what did you make of Calgary’s selections in the 2026 draft?
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