Speculation: 2026 NHL Draft June 26-27 (Flames Pick #6 OA)

[JPeeper]

Andersson doesn't have the points this year (because we don't score goals), but his +/- is even at 0 opposed to the atrocity it was last year, he also doesn't look as bad as last year, that would be Weegar who has been awful this year. Point being barring some insanity (re-signing him) he should be an easy 1st round pick in a trade which would either give us 3 this year or if Connie wants/can have 2 next year, which would be three drafts in a row with multiple 1st round picks. I personally believe Coleman can also fetch a 1st if it becomes a sellers market at the deadline, at worst he should get at least a 2nd + 3rd.

The team should have at least 5 first rounders for the next two drafts, ditching Kadri should add another one putting us at 6 first rounders in the next 2 drafts. That would be a quick "re-tool" imo, 2-3 years of pain for the potential of a good young core.

Listening to Dreger last night on TSN talk about Kadri wanting to win in Calgary is cute, but completely delusional.

We'll see what happens in the next 4 months, I'm not getting overly concerned with the Murray comments talking about not wanting to trade vets/stay competitive, he's not going to publicly say he wants to trade his guys.

 

[DomBarr]

for my mental well being I really need Edmonton to actually start to play well (not well enough to go deep in the playoff) enough to creep into the playoffs.
Right now if the season ended they are 25th and considering their lotto luck would play themselves into an generational winger for Draisatl or McDavid

 

[Anglesmith]

for my mental well being I really need Edmonton to actually start to play well (not well enough to go deep in the playoff) enough to creep into the playoffs.
Right now if the season ended they are 25th and considering their lotto luck would play themselves into an generational winger for Draisatl or McDavid

Edmonton has started terribly each of the last two seasons. It's firmly in "fool me thrice" territory.

 

[Volica]

Andersson doesn't have the points this year (because we don't score goals), but his +/- is even at 0 opposed to the atrocity it was last year, he also doesn't look as bad as last year, that would be Weegar who has been awful this year. Point being barring some insanity (re-signing him) he should be an easy 1st round pick in a trade which would either give us 3 this year or if Connie wants/can have 2 next year, which would be three drafts in a row with multiple 1st round picks. I personally believe Coleman can also fetch a 1st if it becomes a sellers market at the deadline, at worst he should get at least a 2nd + 3rd.

The team should have at least 5 first rounders for the next two drafts, ditching Kadri should add another one putting us at 6 first rounders in the next 2 drafts. That would be a quick "re-tool" imo, 2-3 years of pain for the potential of a good young core.

Listening to Dreger last night on TSN talk about Kadri wanting to win in Calgary is cute, but completely delusional.

We'll see what happens in the next 4 months, I'm not getting overly concerned with the Murray comments talking about not wanting to trade vets/stay competitive, he's not going to publicly say he wants to trade his guys.

Andersson will get a first + at the deadline.
I'm not even going to question it at this point; he's the only impact D that'll be available early next year; the rest of the UFA trade candidate class are on teams that won't want to subtract them. Like why would Anaheim get out of Trouba when they're winning games and having a good year?

I wouldn't put any stock into Dreger's recent reports regarding ownership, Kadri, or anything of the sort.
The product simply isn't good enough where tinkering gets you over the hump. Like sure, if someone wants to trade us a PPG offensive dynamo for peanuts, then maybe... but trimming along the edges or prettying up the hedges doesn't get this team from dead last to playoff contention. That shipped sailed when you're 3 games from playing 1/4 of the season and you've managed to accumulate 10 of the available 34 points. That's just over. Too much parity to revive from here. Love the veteran core all you want, they don't get you out of the bottom of the league.

There's a world where we make 3 picks this June. There's also a world we head into next year's draft with what'll be our 4th year in a row with multiple picks (I laugh at anyone telling us we're not actively rebuilding, teams that aren't rebuilding don't make half a dozen picks in the first three rounds of drafts).

I think teams need to look at the Blue Jays as an idea of what a playoff run means. Getting in as the 8th seed, going out in 5 games, with only two being a home does almost nothing to the playoff revenue bottom line. But building a foundation where you can envision going to the third and final round multiple years in a row... that's like printing money in sports. Think about how many kids you see around Calgary with Oilers gear. You don't see the opposite in Edmonton. Because Edmonton sold a future, has had success and has a money printing star in McDavid.

 

[Karelia Hurricanes]

Even if the Flames pick first, would yall rather they get McKenna or Stenberg?

 

[Sparky93]

Even if the Flames pick first, would yall rather they get McKenna or Stenberg?

Both wingers on the smaller size but I think you go with the consensus #1, pretty easily. I don't think it's really even close, right now at least.

 

[Ace Rimmer]

Both wingers on the smaller size but I think you go with the consensus #1, pretty easily. I don't think it's really even close, right now at least.

He's not consensus #1 anymore.

Not sure if this is a hot take to drive engagement or if it's based in reality, but...

Sportsnet's 2026 NHL Draft Rankings: November Edition

In his latest draft rankings, Sam Cosentino has a new No. 1, but Gavin McKenna remains in discussion at No. 2 and a few other players may make a push for top spot yet.

www.sportsnet.ca

 

[Sparky93]

He's not consensus #1 anymore.

Not sure if this is a hot take to drive engagement or if it's based in reality, but...

Sportsnet's 2026 NHL Draft Rankings: November Edition

In his latest draft rankings, Sam Cosentino has a new No. 1, but Gavin McKenna remains in discussion at No. 2 and a few other players may make a push for top spot yet.

www.sportsnet.ca

I guess we'll see at the draft. I'm not really buying it. Verhoff isn't exactly setting the world on fire either. To be completely honest, I'm terrified of picking top 3 this year and ending up with another Bennett or an Erik Johnson.

 

[Bounces R Way]

After McKenna or Verhoeff my guy would be Belchetz. He's massive and has great hands. With what the Ducks are building in their top 6 we're going to need a couple guys with beef and skill to take them on on the boards.

Stenberg I like what I see but I'd steer clear in the top 3. Euros without a ton of physical tools that are used to playing with a bunch of time and space on the big rinks tend to have a rougher time in the NHL. Big Jesper Bratt guy but still not a player I'd want to build a team around.

 

[JPeeper]

He's not consensus #1 anymore.

Not sure if this is a hot take to drive engagement or if it's based in reality, but...

Sportsnet's 2026 NHL Draft Rankings: November Edition

In his latest draft rankings, Sam Cosentino has a new No. 1, but Gavin McKenna remains in discussion at No. 2 and a few other players may make a push for top spot yet.

www.sportsnet.ca

I think people thought McKenna would light up the NCAA for 2+ points per game and he isn't so he must be a bust. I saw somewhere someone pointed out his PDO and he should be closer to 23 points, but the puck just hasn't gone in for his line. He is also a notorious slow starter, he started off slow in the WHL last year as well before going off for 130 points.

When he goes to World Juniors and lights up the tournament I think everyone will get back on the bandwagon.

 

[Tkachuk Norris]

After McKenna or Verhoeff my guy would be Belchetz. He's massive and has great hands. With what the Ducks are building in their top 6 we're going to need a couple guys with beef and skill to take them on on the boards.

Stenberg I like what I see but I'd steer clear in the top 3. Euros without a ton of physical tools that are used to playing with a bunch of time and space on the big rinks tend to have a rougher time in the NHL. Big Jesper Bratt guy but still not a player I'd want to build a team around.

My top 3 are McKenna, Stenberg and Belchetz. It’s hard to ignore the season Stenberg is having. He’s out scoring Carlsson’s draft season which is pretty insane. Best season since Sedin (I forget which one cause he’s better than the other).
Belchetz has the size and skill that translates so well. He’s might be my first overall.

Can’t go Verhoeff. He’s not Schaefer and defencemen can be found in the mid first or second all the time. Skilled forwards are harder to find outside the top of the draft. I’d pick him at 4 but no earlier. This team needs an elite forward or two so badly.

 

[Bounces R Way]

My top 3 are McKenna, Stenberg and Belchetz. It’s hard to ignore the season Stenberg is having. He’s out scoring Carlsson’s draft season which is pretty insane. Best season since Sedin (I forget which one cause he’s better than the other).
Belchetz has the size and skill that translates so well. He’s might be my first overall.

Can’t go Verhoeff. He’s not Schaefer and defencemen can be found in the mid first or second all the time. Skilled forwards are harder to find outside the top of the draft. I’d pick him at 4 but no earlier. This team needs an elite forward or two so badly.

Yeah really does have to be a forward doesn't it. I'm not too crazy about using our first top 3 pick() on a slight winger but you can only play the cards you're dealt. Wonder if we can't use some of the return from Ras with the Vegas 1st to get a second 1st rounder in the top ~12. McKenna/Stenberg + Roobroeck/Malholtra would really kickstart this rebuild into full swing.

 

[AccordingtomySource]

Hoping Flames brass doesn’t overthink this as much as the fan base.

McKenna still handily number one.

Saying you won’t pick a D who is challenging McKenna for number one with a top pick just because of his position is clinically insane.

 

[FLAMESFAN]

Yeah really does have to be a forward doesn't it. I'm not too crazy about using our first top 3 pick() on a slight winger but you can only play the cards you're dealt. Wonder if we can't use some of the return from Ras with the Vegas 1st to get a second 1st rounder in the top ~12. McKenna/Stenberg + Roobroeck/Malholtra would really kickstart this rebuild into full swing.

Hey - this could take a few years of sucking...Get McKenna this year, Joseph next year, and then win the lottery to take Pue/Schultz!
Then Tig dumps Utah and signs with Calgary, ans just like that we're an offensive powerhouse!

 

[Sparky93]

Yeah really does have to be a forward doesn't it. I'm not too crazy about using our first top 3 pick() on a slight winger but you can only play the cards you're dealt. Wonder if we can't use some of the return from Ras with the Vegas 1st to get a second 1st rounder in the top ~12. McKenna/Stenberg + Roobroeck/Malholtra would really kickstart this rebuild into full swing.

And give up the Joe Iginla pick, can't see it happening.(or any team trading 2 >20th 1st's for a top 12)

 

[Bounces R Way]

And give up the Joe Iginla pick, can't see it happening.(or any team trading 2 >20th 1st's for a top 12)

Then add something else like Pospisil or whoever. It depends what the team's needs are. A team traded two top 17 picks and would be leading the Flames in goals currently Emil Heineman for Noah Dobson last draft. Some teams have more use for draft picks than others in their competitive cycle and for the Flames that priority should still be high for at least another year or two.

 

[Dack]

I watched the two McKenna shift by shift videos available on YouTube to see what's up with him. I watched a fair bit of him scouting the WHL last year so I think I have a baseline expectation. I never thought he was "generational" and I also never thought he was a better prospect than Bedard.

- I still think he's generating a good amount of offense. I think with a little puck luck we're probably not questioning his production. In terms of chance generation I think he's creating way more than Hagens did last year, just hasn't gotten the bounces yet.

- To add to the above, even though most of his production has come on the PP I don't actually think he's getting shut down 5v5. He consistently puts his teammates in good positions with the puck they just aren't really doing anything with it. Additionally, their breakouts are really bad and it's kind of killing their ability to generate off of the rush.

- He's got good burst. I think his skating is improved from his Medicine Hat days, when he picks up the puck in transition he can fly down the wing. Showed off some nice 1 on 1 moves against Michigan State too. He gets Kent Johnson comparisons since he's a softer, lanky skill guy but he's a way better skater than Johnson was/is.

- Criticism about effort level is fair but it's also nothing new. He's always been more of a floater/perimeter player. He looks a little less feisty than he was in the WHL last year but that's probably more to do with being a 17 year old playing against guys in their 20s. It would be nice to see him move his feet more off puck though.

- Defense is also pretty bad, he's a winger though so I don't think it's a big deal. Like Bedard it's more of an effort level thing than a lack of understanding.

It'll be interesting to see if he can win back the 1st overall ranking, once the slipping narrative starts it can be pretty hard to stop. Hard to say, Stenberg is the only guy that I think you can really say is having a 1st overall caliber season, he was great at the U18s last year too. I'm very excited to see them both at the WJC this year.

 

[Yepthatsme]

Hoping Flames brass doesn’t overthink this as much as the fan base.

McKenna still handily number one.

Saying you won’t pick a D who is challenging McKenna for number one with a top pick just because of his position is clinically insane.

All I’m excited for about this is if Calgary maintains on this trajectory but doesn’t win the lottery, there’s a chance McKenna still falls to us. McKenna is sub 170 pounds, he was going to have growing pains going up against older, stronger competition. Verheoff is a 6’5 210+ monster so his transition was always going to be easier. Stenberg is special in his own right, but international size ice could easily be hiding some of the questions McKenna is facing, and he still has nowhere close to the upside McKenna once showed.

Basically if McKenna doesn’t go first, I hope it’s because Calgary isn’t picking first.

 

[Volica]

Hard to say, Stenberg is the only guy that I think you can really say is having a 1st overall caliber season, he was great at the U18s last year too. I'm very excited to see them both at the WJC this year.

Nice summary.
I think this WJC is going to mean a lot for someone like McKenna.

Just for those sort of curious, international stage wise in 23-24 McKenna played on the Canadian U18 WJC team. He was second only to Hagens who was in his D-1. At the same age Hagens (16 yo) only contributed 5 points versus McKenna's 20 points. Essentially, if Gavin McKenna went to the U18's last year (he didn't he was busy being the MVP and winning the WHL championship, and then going to the finals of the Memorial Cup) he would very likely be the highest scoring player to ever play in that tournament. There's only one person who's got the same amount of P/G as McKenna in that tournament... Nikita Kucherov. That's it. And his 7 game stint was when he was 17 and not 16.

Just think there's something special there in terms of offence. And it might be something like Kucherov to be honest.
When Nikita was drafted (albeit not a 1OA), the next year he went and played against men in Russia... and it didn't go overly well for him.

I hope the Flames don't overthink this one too much. I like Verhoeff, 6'4'' 220 lbs all situation defender... every team could use him, look at what Schafer is doing on the Island... but I just think you go with the forward who has a chance at being one of the best in the league.

 

[JPeeper]

This notion that McKenna is struggling because he is only a PPG in the NCAA is such a sensationalist, clickbait, look-at-me take.

McKenna, a skinny 17 year old is a PPG in the NCAA and some people think he isn't that good because...? Let's just ignore his 130 points last year where he also was 2+ ppg in the playoffs against the best teams; he had a better D-1 year in terms of points than Bedard. People are losing it because of what Celebrini, Fantilli or Eichel did in their NCAA D-1 years without taking into the account all three of them were far, FAR ahead of McKenna in terms of having a mans body. Eichel was doing Olympic lifts in the 300lbs range, Celebrini's dad is a professional trainer who has athlete clients, Fantilli was 6'2 187.

Johnny Hockey was a PPG his first year and he's the greatest player to ever put on a Flames jersey, come at me. Gaudreau was small and thin and this league is obsessed with cavemen so he went in the 4th round.

 

[Ledge And Dairy]

Does winning just mean picking 1OA?
Because they were the worst team in the league that year, and were positioned to draft 1st overall barring any wins.

No, you have to actively move up in the draft order. If you finish last and pick first, that does not count toward the 2 in 5 year rule.

What I am not sure on is if you finish 2nd last, a team behind you wins #1, but then you win #2. technically you are passing the team that finished last, but you did not improve your position.

Bit of a late response, but I hope this helps.

 

[Lunatik]

In a shocking development. Sam Cosentino, who I think is one of the best when it comes to prospects... has a new #1...

Yes.

Gavin McKenna has dropped to #2 in Sam's rankings.

Sportsnet's 2026 NHL Draft Rankings: November Edition

In his latest draft rankings, Sam Cosentino has a new No. 1, but Gavin McKenna remains in discussion at No. 2 and a few other players may make a push for top spot yet.

www.sportsnet.ca

This isn’t a one-horse race after all.

While the floodgates haven’t opened up to several players making a case to go No. 1 overall, there is a large groundswell of scouts who have commented on the emergence of North Dakota’s Keaton Verhoeff. Those same scouts have also been keeping close tabs on Penn State’s Gavin McKenna. And, due to their recent play, the two are moving spots from where they sat in our October rankings.

No. 1: Keaton Verhoeff, D, 6-foot-4, 208 pounds, North Dakota (NCAA)

The basics of Verhoeff are something every NHL team covets: a big, right-shot defenceman. Beyond that, it’s the mature play he has exhibited as a freshman in the NCAA that has him landing at No. 1 today. Where McKenna’s off-puck play has been brought into question, Verhoeff’s ability to control play and regularly maintain over 20 effective minutes per game have vaulted him into top spot this month.

No. 2: Gavin McKenna, LW, 5-foot-11, 170 pounds, Penn State (NCAA)

There’s never been a question about the prolific offensive skills McKenna brings to the table. He’s a threat to produce with every puck touch past centre ice. McKenna’s brain and creativity force teammates to be on the lookout at all times. He has a bag of tricks at his disposal to ward-off would-be defenders and put him and his teammates in a position to produce. Questions have started to arise regarding off-puck play and defensive awareness. And for that reason, he gets moved down one spot in this month’s rankings.

Sam also suggested this Bukala piece, who also now has Verhoeff at #1. FOr those who don't know, Bukala was a pro scout in the NHL from 2006-07 to 2019-20. He was a scout for Nashville from 2006-07 thru 2010-11. He was hired away from Nashville by the Panthers, in 2011-12 and promoted to Asst dir of amateur scouting, after 5 years he became the director of amateur scouting. So like Button who we always pay a little extra attention to, Bukala has a comparable resume as a scout. Bukala founded The Pro Hockey Group (the source Elite Prospects and Puckpedia use for their scouting) during the pandemic and left working for an NHL team.

Scout's Analysis: Why Keaton Verhoeff is the No. 1 NHL Draft prospect

Gavin McKenna has held the distinction of being the No. 1 ranked prospect for the 2026 NHL Draft. And while he may still go first overall next June, Jason Bukala writes about why he currently has Keaton Verhoeff ranked atop his own list.

www.sportsnet.ca

For the past couple of years, most of the attention for the top prospect available in the 2026 NHL Draft has revolved around Gavin McKenna. He’s most often been identified as the consensus candidate to go first overall next June and described as a generational talent with incredible offensive upside.

There’s a real chance McKenna will have his name called first by the team that wins the draft lottery but, as is the case almost every draft cycle, competition is ramping up. And there's at least one other prospect to be aware of challenging for No. 1.

In my opinion, North Dakota freshman defenceman Keaton Verhoeff has overtaken McKenna. Today, he is my new number one draft prospect.

FROM THE WHL TO THE NCAA
Like McKenna, Verhoeff made the move to the NCAA (North Dakota) this fall after playing for the Victoria Royals in the WHL last season. He produced 21G-24A in the regular season for Victoria and added 1G-9A in 11 playoff games. So far this year Verhoeff has contributed 4G-4A with a responsible plus-4.

BREAKING DOWN VERHOEFF'S GAME: WHY HE'S NO. 1
To date, Verhoeff has earned between 18-23 minutes of ice time. All of his shifts have come at even strength or on the power play. He is the quarterback on North Dakota’s top power-play unit and, although he’s an efficient playmaker, he's not shy about directing pucks on net.
Through Verhoeff’s first 12 games he has attempted 44 shots on goal and connected on 24 of them. Most of his shots come from his strong side, but it’s interesting to note how many high danger scoring chances Verhoeff has produced with the puck on his stick. Here’s a look at the areas of the offensive zone where Verhoeff has been credited with a shot on net. The chart speaks to how active he is moving to the middle of the zone to create high danger scoring opportunities for himself and the rest of his teammates.

 

[Lunatik]

f*** it was already posted. I am a dumb

 

[Lunatik]

No, you have to actively move up in the draft order. If you finish last and pick first, that does not count toward the 2 in 5 year rule.

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What I am not sure on is if you finish 2nd last, a team behind you wins #1, but then you win #2. technically you are passing the team that finished last, but you did not improve your position.

Bit of a late response, but I hope this helps.

I thin it counts as winning since after the first pick, your natural placement becomes 3rd.

 

[Tkachuk Norris]

Hoping Flames brass doesn’t overthink this as much as the fan base.

McKenna still handily number one.

Saying you won’t pick a D who is challenging McKenna for number one with a top pick just because of his position is clinically insane.

No it’s not. That’s literally the one position outside of G I think the Flames are strong in going forward. Verhoeff is excellent, but he’s not Makar or Schaefer good (at this point). To me the four guys at the top are all comparable. Why take a RD when this team clearly needs an elite scoring forward?