Hunter Laing’s Development Has Flames Facing a Key Decision
Drafting in the NHL is always a balancing act - part science, part gut instinct, and a whole lot of projection. Especially in the later rounds, teams aren’t just looking for the most polished prospect.
They’re looking for upside, for traits that might blossom with time and the right development. That’s exactly the kind of bet the Calgary Flames made in 2024 when they selected Hunter Laing with the 170th overall pick.
At the time, Laing was a bit of a mystery. He had just one full WHL season under his belt - 74 games total - which isn’t a ton when you’re trying to evaluate long-term potential.
Scouts and analytics departments typically prefer a larger sample size to get a clearer read on a player’s trajectory. With Laing, the Flames were working with less data but saw enough to take the swing.
And there were reasons to be intrigued. For starters, Laing has NHL size - 6-foot-6, 205 pounds - and that kind of frame always draws attention.
There’s also the hockey bloodline: his father, Quintin, played 14 seasons of pro hockey, including time in the Flames system with the Abbotsford Heat. Add in Laing’s background in Kelowna minor hockey and his connection to Flames legend Jarome Iginla through RINK Academy, and there was a familiarity factor at play too.
But potential only gets you so far. What’s mattered since then is how Laing has developed on the ice - and the progress has been steady.
In his draft year, Laing posted 25 points with the Prince George Cougars, finishing 12th in team scoring. Not eye-popping numbers, but solid for a first full WHL campaign.
The next season, he took a step forward. He started with 22 points before being dealt midseason to the Saskatoon Blades, where he added another 26, finishing his Draft+1 year with 48 points.
Now, in his 19-year-old season, Laing has continued that upward trend. Through 47 games, he’s produced 40 points - a noticeable bump in his points-per-game pace.
He’s locked into a top-six role in Saskatoon, mostly playing on the right wing but showing some versatility by sliding over to center when needed. In just three full WHL seasons, Laing has gone from a raw, unproven prospect to a reliable contributor on a strong junior team.
That brings us to the decision point. The Flames hold Laing’s NHL rights until June 1.
By then, they need to decide: sign him, or let him walk. There’s also the possibility Laing could commit to a college program, which would change the timeline, but as it stands, the clock is ticking.
The evaluation isn’t simple. Laing has been a productive WHL player, but not a dominant one.
He’s got the physical tools that could translate to the pro level - size, strength, and some offensive touch - but projecting him beyond junior hockey is where things get tricky. Could he carve out a role like Parker Bell or Lucas Ciona, players who’ve become useful depth pieces in the AHL?
That’s one path. But the question is whether there’s another level to his game - and whether the Flames believe they can help him get there.
There’s also the matter of development environment. Laing is already physically mature, which raises the question: would a college route give him the right kind of challenge to round out the rest of his game? Or would turning pro now, even at the AHL level, better serve his growth?
No matter how this plays out, Laing has done what you hope a late-round pick will do - he’s made himself part of the conversation. He’s shown growth, adaptability, and a willingness to take on bigger roles. Now, it’s up to the Flames to decide if they see a future for him in their system.
The next few months will be pivotal. And for a sixth-round pick, that’s already a win in itself.