Centres the Flames must target at the 2025 NHL Draft

The NHL Draft is less than a month away. Craig Conroy must create a sense of direction to go in at this year’s draft. Looking at the current prospect pool of the Calgary Flames, they seriously lack some talent at centre. This missing piece must be addressed at the NHL Draft. Let’s take a look at some centremen the Flames should target at the end of June.

Braeden Cootes, Seattle Thunderbirds

First up on the list is Braeden Cootes of the Seattle Thunderbirds in the WHL. He is coming off his best season in the WHL, where he put up 63 points in 60 games. The captain led the Thunderbirds back to the playoffs for the first time since their championship run in 2023. Here, he scored eight points in six games, being the best playoff performer on the team. Cootes is projected to go in the second half of the first round. This will provide the Flames with a great opportunity to draft him.

Cootes grew up in Sherwood Park, Alberta. He was drafted 10th overall in the 2022 WHL Draft and has grown into a star in the WHL. One of his biggest strengths is puck handling. He uses this skill in all aspects of his game, helping break the puck out of the defensive zone and setting up teammates on offence. Another advantage in his game is his shot. He uses this on the power play and has scored plenty of goals using the toe-drag release technique. NHL stars such as Auston Matthews and Connor Bedard often do this.

Cole Reschny, Victoria Royals

Cole Reschny is arguably the best option for the Flames. He is coming off a phenomenal season with the Victoria Royals, where he had 92 points in just 62 games. His best games came in the playoffs, where he carried the Royals to game six of the second round. Reschny’s 25 points in 11 games were not enough to help the team advance. However, he showed how clutch of a player he can be. The 18-year-old is projected to go in the 10–32 range of the first round. His ranking has gone up and down throughout the year. He recently impressed many people in the playoffs and the U18 World Junior Championship.

The strengths of Reschny’s game are playmaking and his ability to play a 200-foot game. Reschny was one of the best two-way players in the WHL this past season. This has provided him with the chance to play in the NCAA. Reschny recently committed to the University of North Dakota for the 2025–26 season. This will help him advance in his development, as the forward has already proven he can dominate at the WHL level.