An early look at Calgary Flames draft targets playing in the WHL

It’s no secret that the Calgary Flames have had a rough start to the year. Currently, they sit with a 1–7–1 record, which is the worst in the league and their worst ever start. This stretch includes zero regulation/overtime wins, and the leading point scorer, Nazem Kadri, has only five points. Things are looking very bleak, with buzz about considering this a lost season.

It is only October, but many have started to pay some attention to the draft and the possibilities of who could be in the Flames’ range come the time in June. The WHL provides top prospects every year for the NHL draft. The Flames, being a Western Canada-based team, keep a close eye on the league and have a strong history of selecting players from it. With the Flames poised to pick in the top 10, maybe one of the top WHL finds an NHL home not too far away.

What should the Flames be targeting?

Like almost every NHL team, the Flames have their own set of holes in their depth charts. As of right now, the Flames are in desperate need of top-end scoring help for forwards. Preferably, they should be going after a centre, but any type of elite offence is needed. The back-end has more flair than up front (thank you, Zayne Parekh); however, the left side could use a little bit more bolstering.

The WHL has tons of talent coming out of it this year. Although it may not produce a lot of what the Flames are looking for. A majority of the WHL’s top talents this year seem to be right-handed defencemen, which the Flames shouldn’t necessarily be going after unless it is the best player available. Nonetheless, there are still a good number of options that the WHL presents around the top 10 for the Flames this year.

Flames WHL draft targets near the top 10 range

Mathis Preston

Mathis Preston has been a highly regarded prospect for some time now. His great rookie season with the Spokane Chiefs certainly helped solidify that. Last season, Preston put up 23 goals and 45 points in 54 games and was a solid piece on the stacked Chiefs team. Now, to begin 2025–26, Preston has had a rollercoaster start. He currently sits with six goals and 11 points in 12 games, which he has accumulated from streaky play. Even with the inconsistent production, Preston is way too talented to see him fall hard outside of the top 10.

A natural goal-scorer is what Preston is. His shot is diverse, being able to make an impact in multiple ways. A quick wrist shot release with pinpoint accuracy and power is Preston’s go-to and the main scoring weapon of his game. You may also see him take a nice snapshot in motion or a heavy one-timer. To complement his scoring touch, Preston has great skating that is controlled by smooth edgework and a fast pace and speed. He’s also a good playmaker and puckhandler who adds an extra layer to his offensive flair. When you throw in a relentless effort, it’s hard to believe Preston won’t succeed.

Preston has split time between centre and wing, but regardless of where he plays, he’d be a much-needed offensive weapon for the Flames.

J.P. Hurlbert

A name crashing on into the scene, J.P. Hurlbert has had a tremendous start to his draft campaign. Playing for the USNTDP last year, Hurlbert committed to his WHL team, the Kamloops Blazers, near the start of the season. He was projecting well, but no one expected the immediate impact he’s had. So far in 2025–26, Hurlbert has 11 goals and 28 points in only 13 games. That grabs him the point, goals, and assists leads in the WHL to begin the year. If Hurlbert keeps up this pace, there’s a good chance he can find himself inside the top 10.

Hurlbert shines through a combination of skill and hard work. Obviously, with 28 points in 13 games, Hurlbert has a great amount of talent in the offensive zone. He loves to get shots on net and is constantly trying to generate chances. He packs a good shot, whether it be a snappy wrist shot or a quick one-timer.

A high hockey IQ allows him to be a creative playmaker, having an effect with simple or convoluted touches. Some amazing flashes of high-level skill also roll off him from time to time, which is to be expected. His work effort is fantastic, constantly moving and trying to do something with the puck. When he doesn’t have it, he’s hunting down the opposing players and trying to get it back.

It’ll be interesting to watch Hurlbert as the season continues. His production isn’t really sustainable, and some question his top-end skill, but he is still projecting as a very good prospect. If the Flames continue their awful start, I don’t know if Hurlbert will be in the range. However, if Hurlbert’s start continues or the Flames climb the standings, they may find a match. It certainly helps that Hurlbert is a centre.

Carson Carels

Carson Carels has been steadily moving himself up the rankings for the past year or so. The Prince George Cougars’ defenceman has continued to grow and become more of a standout. In his rookie season for 2024–25, Carels produced 35 points in 60 games, pretty solid for a defender. Carels has been off to a hot start this season with improved production. Across 12 games so far, Carels has scored 11 points in 12 games, putting him on pace to almost double his totals from last year. If Carels carries out this start, he’s a sneaking option for the top 10.

Carels is among the top defencemen in the league when it comes to all-around style. He is incredibly stable and smart with his plays. The skating is probably the best attribute, allowing him to create impacts at both ends of the ice. Swift and fluid is the way to describe Carel’s skating. Keeping his positioning or attacking the ongoing play is often a move you see Carels make.

He creates breakouts on his own with simple yet effective passes or transitions to the neutral zone. Carels portrays a strong sense for the game, often making plays in either zone before anyone else with a high success rate. He doesn’t fall out of position too often and almost always keeps himself as an option for the developing ice.

This is the type of defenceman that’s never a lock for a top 10 selection, but one that can sneak in if a team loves his game. If the Flames continue their current trends, I don’t think Carels will be in consideration. But if the Flames find improvements and their draft pick drops, I would expect Carels to be in mind. A smooth-skating, left-handed, two-way defenceman would be perfect on the Flames d-core.

A decent year to target talent out of the WHL

While certainly not as viable as other years, some great players are residing in the WHL for the Flames to go after. Mathis Preston is likely the best of the bunch. A highly talented, scoring forward who can score goals like crazy and has experience at both centre and right wing. Something that sounds perfect for the Flames. Then comes J.P. Hurlbert, who is having a tremendous start to his season and displays great skills of dual-threat abilities, effort, and IQ. While he’s not a lock for the top 10, he can certainly jump his way into it. Finally, it is Carson Carels. The nifty two-way defenceman who may just win the Flames over with his steady play and left-side positioning.

If the Flames keep up this lousy start, I’m not sure if their own pick will be used on a WHL prospect. But if they get screwed by the lottery or they climb the standings, any of these three players may just become a viable option.