Craig Conroy has nailed multiple drafts in a row for the Calgary Flames and built up a solid prospect pool. Let’s go over the Flames’ top 10 prospects at the midpoint of the 2025–26 season. Players must be under the age of 23 and have played less than 25 NHL games to be considered for this list.
1. Zayne Parekh
Parekh remains the undisputed #1 prospect in the Flames’ organization. He had a historic junior career, during which he became the first OHL defender in over a decade to reach the 100-point mark. Parekh has spent the 2025–26 season navigating the difficult transition to the professional game. In his limited NHL action, the Flames have used him primarily in a sheltered third-pairing role. He recorded one power play assist while averaging 14:46 of ice time. Parekh was recently loaned to Team Canada for the 2026 World Junior Championship, where he delivered one of the most dominant performances by a defenceman in the tournament’s history. He set a new all-time Canadian record for points by a defenceman in a single WJC. Parekh had 13 points (5G, 8A) in seven games. Following the WJC, Parekh returned to Calgary banged up with a minor injury. Hopefully, he will get into an NHL game for the Flames soon and show the hockey world what he’s capable of.
2. Matvei Gridin
Gridin checks in as the top forward prospect in the Flames’ organization after a monster 2025 calendar year. He spent the first half of 2025 torching the QMJHL with the Shawinigan Cataractes. He became the inaugural recipient of the Sidney Crosby Trophy as the QMJHL’s Rookie of the Year. Gridin led all rookies in goals (36), assists (43), and points (79). His NHL debut was on October 8, 2025, against the Edmonton Oilers. He scored his first career NHL goal in his very first game. After playing in four NHL games, he was assigned to the AHL’s Calgary Wranglers to ensure he received top-line minutes. Through his first 32 AHL games, he has recorded 10 goals and 18 assists for 28 points, placing him among the league’s top rookie scorers.
3. Cole Reschny
Reschny, who the Flames selected at 18th overall in the 2025 NHL Draft, has transitioned seamlessly to the college ranks. After a dominant 92-point final season in the WHL with the Victoria Royals, Reschny joined the University of North Dakota for the 2025–26 campaign. He has quickly become a key playmaker for the Fighting Hawks. He recorded three goals and 17 assists for 20 points through his first 18 collegiate appearances. Reschny represented Team Canada at the 2026 World Junior Championship, where he played a pivotal secondary scoring role. He finished the tournament with four goals and five points in seven games, helping Canada secure a bronze medal. Overall, Reschny’s success in his Draft+1 season suggests that the Flames may have found a long-term fixture at the centre position, which is a critical organizational need.
4. Cullen Potter
Potter is one of the most unique prospects in the Flames system. He bucked the traditional development path by fast-tracking to college at just 17 years old. After being selected 32nd overall by the Flames in the 2025 NHL Draft, he made program history by being the first-ever player drafted in the first round from Arizona State University. After a strong freshman year (13G, 22PTS), Potter has taken another leap in his sophomore 2025–26 campaign. Through 24 games, he has already smashed his previous season’s point total, recording 12 goals and 14 assists for 26 points. While his 5’10” frame remains a concern, Potter’s high-end offensive play and elite skating ability suggest he has the tools to become an impactful top-six NHL forward.
5. Hunter Brzustewicz
Brzustewicz, whom the Flames acquired in the Elias Lindholm trade, is already looking like a full-time NHL defenceman. He had a 92-point season for the Kitchener Rangers in his Draft+1 season. He then transitioned to the AHL level in his Draft+2 season. There, he established himself as a top-four fixture for the Wranglers, recording 32 points in 70 games as a pro rookie. Recently, Brzustewicz was recalled to the NHL by the Flames. So far, he has appeared in 12 NHL games, recording one assist. While he has occasionally been rotated as a healthy scratch, Brzustewicz’s steady play on the third pairing has made it difficult to justify sending him back down.
6. Ethan Wyttenbach
Wyttenbach has quickly emerged as the steal of the Flames’ 2025 draft class. 22 games into his freshman season at Quinnipiac University, Wyttenbach leads all NCAA freshmen in scoring with 31 points (12G, 19A). Before joining Quinnipiac, Wyttenbach became the inaugural recipient of the USHL’s Gaudreau Award. The honour is given to the player who best embodies the legacy of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau through on-ice excellence and a spirit of care and responsibility.
7. Samuel Honzek
Honzek, who was just starting to find his rhythm at the NHL level, unfortunately got sidelined with an injury after a freak collision with teammate Mikael Backlund. Before the injury, Honzek had appeared in 18 games for the Flames this season, recording two goals and two assists. While his offensive totals were modest, he had established himself as a reliable defensive presence on a shutdown line alongside Backlund and Blake Coleman. Additionally, he was a shoo-in to represent Slovakia at the 2026 Winter Olympics. However, the injury has officially ruled him out of the tournament. If he can finally string together a healthy season in 2026–27, he may be a valuable asset for the Flames’ future.
8. Henry Mews
Mews rounds out the Flames’ impressive trio of high-skill, right-shot defensive prospects from the OHL alongside Parekh and Brzustewicz. Mews finished the 2024–25 season split between the Ottawa 67’s and Sudbury Wolves. He had a career-high 82 points (14G, 68A), ranking third among all OHL defencemen in scoring. Looking to refine his defensive game against older, stronger opponents, Mews committed to the University of Michigan for the 2025–26 season. He didn’t miss a beat in the NCAA, recording nine assists in his first 10 games for the Wolverines. In a devastating blow to his development, Mews suffered a season-ending injury in early November. It prematurely ended his freshman campaign just as he was emerging as one of the top freshmen in the Big Ten. Despite the unfortunate injury, Mews’ production at Michigan reaffirmed his status as a high-ceiling prospect.
9. Jacob Battaglia
Battaglia is an intriguing prospect for the Flames. He finished among the OHL’s top scorers in his Draft+1 season, as he recorded 40 goals and 90 points in 68 games with the Kingston Frontenacs. This performance earned him an entry-level contract with the Flames. Following his second NHL training camp in September, Battaglia was returned to Kingston for the 2025–26 season and was immediately named the team’s captain. However, some team-wide scoring slumps caused Battaglia’s offensive numbers to take a huge dip. The Frontenacs would then trade Battaglia to the Flint Firebirds, who currently sit atop the OHL standings. This is a great opportunity for Battaglia to get his offence back on track.
10. Andrew Basha
The hometown product Basha rounds out this prospect ranking. He missed the majority of the 2024–25 season due to injury. Despite that, he played in the WHL Championship Series and recorded five points in five games to help the Medicine Hat Tigers secure the Ed Chynoweth Cup. Basha began the 2025–26 season with the Wranglers. He appeared in 27 games, recording one goal and four assists. In early January, the Flames reassigned Basha back to Medicine Hat for the remainder of the season. He immediately made an impact upon his return, recording eight points in his first four games back in the WHL.
