As we enter the final stretch of the NHL regular season, the playoff picture is anything but clear. In the Eastern Conference, a mere 12 points separate the top seed from the second wild card spot.
Over in the Western Conference, the Central Division is flexing its muscles with three teams boasting over 90 points. Meanwhile, the Pacific Division-leading Anaheim Ducks are still trying to crack the 80-point mark.
This season has been anything but ordinary, especially with NHL players making their return to the Olympics in 2026. The condensed schedule has stirred up a whirlwind of unpredictability across the league. Yet, amidst the chaos, the Calgary Flames have been playing the long game, stockpiling draft picks and prospects at the trade deadline.
Let’s dive into the Flames' treasure trove of 2026 first-round picks and see where they stand if the draft were held today.
2026 First-Round Draft Picks Owned by the Flames
Calgary is sitting pretty with two first-round picks in 2026:
- Their own pick, which currently holds the second-best odds in the draft lottery.
- The Vegas Golden Knights’ pick, projected at 18th overall, thanks to Vegas’ third-place standing in the Pacific and the Senators’ penalty dropping them to 32nd due to the Evgenii Dadanov situation.
Though the deadline only brought in second-round picks, they include selections from the New York Rangers (35th overall), Ottawa Senators (47th overall), and Utah Mammoth (52nd overall). With these moves, the Flames now control four of the top 35 picks in 2026, making up about 11% of the early draft selections.
Weekly Recap
The Flames faced the Islanders on Long Island last Saturday. Devin Cooley struggled early, conceding three goals on just 10 shots before being pulled.
Despite a late rally with two goals in the third, Calgary couldn’t complete the comeback, falling 3-2. The woes continued on Monday in Detroit with a tough 5-2 loss.
Back at home on Wednesday, the Flames edged out the St. Louis Blues 2-1 in a shootout, despite having three goals disallowed.
The Golden Knights had a mixed week, splitting their four games. They started strong with a 6-2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins and a 4-2 victory against the Chicago Blackhawks. However, they hit a snag with consecutive shutout losses to the Buffalo Sabres (2-0) and Utah Mammoth (4-0).
Upcoming Games
The Flames are set to host the Florida Panthers tonight, followed by the Tampa Bay Lightning on Sunday. Next week, they’ll face divisional rivals Anaheim and Vancouver at home on Tuesday and Thursday.
Meanwhile, the Golden Knights embark on a three-game road trip, starting in Nashville on Saturday and Dallas on Sunday, before heading to Winnipeg on Tuesday. They’ll return to host the depleted Edmonton Oilers next Thursday.
14 Games to Go: The Final Push
With just four weeks left, the Flames are poised to finish as a top 3-5 lottery team. Despite their low standing, the atmosphere in Calgary remains optimistic. The team seems to be finding its groove amid roster changes.
Morgan Frost and Joel Farabee have shone, both individually and together, while young talent like Matvei Gridin is making waves in the NHL. Prospect Ethan Wyttenbach is also leading the NCAA in scoring.
The Flames are on a promising path, and fans are hopeful for a return to playoff hockey at Scotia Place. With substantial draft capital lined up for the next few seasons, the future looks bright.
Stay tuned as we continue to track the Flames’ 2026 first-round picks throughout the rest of the season.