Pretend you are Conroy. Whom would YOU pick at 6?
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FlamesNation Mailbag: Turning our attention towards the NHL Draft
Photo credit: Mike Gould
The Calgary Flames did not move up at the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery. Instead, unfortunately, they moved down. Twice.
As we wrap our heads around the Flames drafting sixth overall – for the sixth time ever – let’s check in with our readers in this week’s edition of the mailbag.
Hi Ryan, now that we have the 6th. Who are your top 3 at that spot and ETA for them to play with the Flames?
Based on what we’ve heard publicly from Flames general manager Craig Conroy, they see a top group of six at the top of the NHL Draft. When they’re drafting at six, they’re getting whoever the five teams in front of them opt to leave them. So when my answer is “Who’s left?”, that’s what I’m getting at.
If it’s me, I look at one of the following three players that seem likely to be (a) the highest-ranked player left available and (b) available at six: Alberts Smits, Carson Carels and Viggo Bjorck.
We’ll get way into each player as we approach the draft, but here’s the gist: Smits and Carels are left-shot defenders, while Bjorck is a right shot forward that can play centre and the wing. Smits played in the friggin’ Olympics in February for Latvia and was pretty good (especially against bad teams). Carels is a big Manitoba farm boy who was Mr. Everything for Prince George this season. And Bjorck was a regular in the SHL this season, then was downright dominant on a pretty strong U20 Nationell squad during the playoffs.
How would Carels project as Parehk’s future linemate? Do you think at their prime it could be one of the best top defensive lines in the league?
I need to do more digging on Carson Carels, but I really like what I’ve seen and heard and read. He’s lauded for being really steady-eddie and consistent, and he feels like someone that could be a really nice counterpoint to Zayne Parekh’s speed and dynamic skill.
Whaat are your thoughts on packaging Pick 6, Coleman plus another piece, send it all to Dallas for Jason Robertson. RFA who needs a big payday.
I don’t think the Flames are quite where they would want to be in their team’s rebuild/retool/progression to where they would want to send out hefty assets to acquire a (very talented) 26-year-old and then shell out the big bucks to pay him.
Heck, I think Jonathan Huberdeau rules, but I think it’s really risky to sign a player to a gigantic contract without knowing how he fits into your team and whether he has chemistry with anybody you have on your roster. Not to say that Jason Robertson would become another Huberdeau…. but you can understand the anxiety, right?
Will the Flames package that 2nd 1st rounder to move up in the draft?
I wouldn’t rule it out. They have a ton of draft capital and they have the willingness to make moves within the drat to get the guys they want.
Hey, since San Jose is looking for d. Would a package of 6th, Coleman and 2nd be enough to move up 4 spots?
Maybe. I’m really curious regarding what San Jose wants to do. I think there’s a willingness to talk turkey on Calgary’s part – they have a ton of draft picks – and you’re probably hoping Blake Coleman lands you a late first-rounder (e.g., a first-rounder from a strong playoff team) in the 2027 draft. So… using the sixth pick, a second-rounder (or two) and the equivalent of a 2027 first-rounder… it might be close. But it does probably depend on how in love San Jose would be with Blake Coleman as an asset.
What are the chances Coleman gets traded either at the draft or anytime during the offseason?
Chances are moderate. The Flames have a price they want to get for him, and they didn’t get that before the trade deadline, so they didn’t move him. If somebody gets off their wallet and meets their price, or even gets close, they probably listen.
The Flames are getting pretty full of middle 6 guys. Which players do you believe the Flames will move on from in order to make space for new guys. Do you see any potential buyouts too?
The Flames seem to have a glut of forwards right now and some AHL's pushing for spots next year i.e. Stromgren. Do you think they will make some trades at the draft or this summer to provide space for some of these players?
I strongly doubt buyouts. But I agree, the Flames have oodles of wingers and probably need to start making some decisions on some of them to open up some spots.
With the incredible draft pick equity CGY has right now, what kind of trade possibilities are there available in order for Conroy to finally grab the #1 centre they’ve always needed?
The 2026 NHL Draft class has, based on those smart people I’ve spoken with, a reputation for having oodles of high-end defenders. And they have a few good wingers at the top, too. Centres? It’s a bit spotty, I’m told. Yeah, Caleb Malhotra has charged up the rankings and could be the first centre taken. But there’s some difference of opinion regarding whether he’s going to be a true-blue #1 centre or merely a really good second-liner.
The Flames could always chat about moving up, but who knows if they would get the guy they wanted, or if they guy they wanted turns into a #1 centre.
Do you think the flames will do anything with their 2nd rounders? (As in trade up with them)
Could you see Conroy making a move to bring in the Ruck twins?
I would be, personally, shocked if the Flames use all four of their second-round picks to draft players. I suspect they use them as currency to move around a bit. And the Flames saw a lot of Liam and Markus Ruck this year, so we’ll see if they make any moves to grab ’em.
Got a question for a future mailbag? Contact Ryan on Twitter/BlueSky at @RyanNPike or e-mail him at Ryan.Pike [at] BetterCollective.com! (Make sure you put Mailbag in the subject line!)
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