Calgary Flames’ Targets With No. 6 Pick in 2026 NHL Draft

The Calgary Flames are loaded with eight picks in the first three rounds of the 2026 NHL Entry Draft. Over the next few days, we’ll look at some prospects the Flames should target, starting with the most important: the sixth overall pick.

First, I’ll look at the ‘stop the fall’ possibilities – players who are unlikely to be available when the Flames are on the board, but are must-drafts if they are. Then I will look at the ‘prime suspects’ – the most likely options, and then the potential reaches.

Stop the Fall: Chase Reid and Caleb Malhotra

Two of the biggest risers of this year’s draft class are Caleb Malhotra of the Brantford Bulldogs and Chase Reid of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, who dominated the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) this season.

Malhotra finished the season with 84 points (29 goals, 55 assists) and added another 26 (13 goals, 13 assists) in 15 playoff games. The Hockey Writers’ Jordan Orth recently noted: “His offensive game is led by the fact that he is very detail-oriented, with playmaking abilities, and the knack for always being in motion and looking to make a play, making him a threat at any point in time. To top it off, Malhotra is a two-way center who is very responsible, acting as the ‘third defenseman’ in the defensive zone from his center position.”

Reid is the best defensive prospect in this year’s draft. He has a full toolbox of offensive skills, which allowed him to put up 48 points in 45 games – the highest point-per-game pace among draft-eligible defencemen in the OHL. He is also as steady as they come defensively, as one of the better skaters in the class, which will make his transition to the next levels much smoother.

It will be shocking if neither player is selected in the top five, but if one is sitting there, the Flames will have an easy choice with their first selection.

Chase Reid – 2026 NHL Draft Prospect Profile | Caleb Malhotra – 2026 NHL Draft Prospect Profile

Prime Suspects: Carson Carels and Albert Šmits

Ideally, the Flames will add offensive help with the sixth overall pick, but there are just too many good blueliners to pass on in this spot. Carson Carels of the Prince George Cougars finished second among draft-eligible defencemen with 73 points (20 goals, 53 assists) in the Western Hockey League (WHL). He played in all situations, showing the ability to kill penalties, quarterback a power play, and play a shutdown role defensively, in addition to the offence he adds.

Albert Šmits doesn’t have eye-popping numbers given the lower-scoring nature of European leagues, but he’s already playing at the professional level in Germany’s Deutsche Eishockey Liga. Orth noted: “He has the skating and puck-handling to lead rushes and to set up in the offensive zone.”

The main draw for Šmits is his defensive ability. He plays a mature game, staying in position to take away time and space and has no problem using his size and physicality to finish off plays in the defensive zone. These two have somewhat similar skill sets and would both be great complementary pieces alongside Zayne Parekh in the future.

Carson Carels – 2026 NHL Draft Prospect Profile | Alberts Šmits – 2026 NHL Draft Prospect Profile

A Small Reach: Viggo Björck

Viggo Björck has flown up draft boards in recent months after catching mainstream attention at the World Junior Championship, where he put up nine points (three goals, nine assists) en route to Sweden’s gold medal.

In addition to playing pro hockey in Sweden for most of the season, the 5-foot-10 centre is still showing he can thrive against players at the next level, with six points (one goal, six assists) in seven games at the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship, currently being held in Switzerland.

Andrew Forbes noted, “He’s quick and drives the play up the ice. He sees the game extremely well, and it allows him to create plays off the rush, controlling the game and the pace of play.”

Despite his small stature, he is said to be willing and capable of winning board battles. A speedy, dynamic offensive player is exactly what the Flames need in their organization. He is expected to go anywhere between fourth and tenth overall and would be at the top of my draft board if I were general manager Craig Conroy.

Viggo Björck – 2026 NHL Draft Prospect Profile

The Bottom Line

Regardless of who the Flames select, they will be getting a good player. There is a ton of high-end talent at the top of this draft. While none of it is really considered ‘generational’, it’s almost like splitting hairs to choose between the players expected to be drafted between five and 10. The talent of the player they get won’t be in question; it will come down to what Conroy is looking for.