Who do NHL Draft experts think the Flames should select at 6th overall?

After losing the draft lottery, the Calgary Flames fell two spots in the draft order. They will now select sixth overall this summer.

Luckily for Calgary, this year’s draft is considered to be stacked at the top. So who should the Flames take with their sixth-overall pick? Here’s what the experts have to say.

Steven Ellis, Daily Faceoff: Carson Carels, LHD

In his first-round mock draft released on Wednesday, Daily Faceoff’s Steven Ellis predicted the Flames will go for Prince George Cougars defenceman Carson Carels:

“Flames fans will feel the pain from falling outside of the top five, but I do wonder if they take the chance to snag Carels. here. Carels was not only one of the best young defenders in the WHL, but he was one of the best defenders in the entire CHL, period. He’s built like a tank and is an absolute powerhouse with the puck. Carels’ defensive awareness, two-way skill, strong physique, and high-end hockey sense make him truly high-end. I think we’re talking about a No. 2-3 defenseman in the NHL, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s the first or second blueliner taken this year.”

Adam Kimelman, NHL.com: Carson Carels, LHD

At NHL.com, deputy managing editor Adam Kimelman and senior draft writer Mike G. Morreale were split on Calgary’s pick. Kimelman is on board with Carels at sixth overall:

“His all-around skill was on full display this season. Carels has strength built through work on the family farm, can be elusive when he’s skating with the puck and makes smart breakout passes. In addition to his strong season in the WHL, he had one assist and was plus-3 in five games as Canada’s youngest player at World Juniors.”

Mike G. Morreale, NHL.com: Viggo Bjorck, C

Meanwhile, Morreale believes Calgary will target Swedish forward Viggo Bjorck:

“The Flames’ top priority is to add an offensive presence after forward Matt Coronato led them with 45 points (18 goals, 27 assists) in 80 games this season. Calgary lacks a forward prospect who can tilt games offensively. Bjorck (5-9, 177) eased any questions concerning his stature with his strong performance as Sweden’s second-line center during its run to the gold medal at the 2026 WJC, when he had nine points (three goals, six assists), averaged 20:23 of ice time and won 54.6 percent of his face-offs in seven games. The right-handed shot is a smart two-way player with strong puck-handling skills, elite passing ability and a relentless approach.”

Craig Button, TSN: Carson Carels, LHD

TSN Director of Scouting Craig Button also selected Carels:

“I think he is a No. 1 defenceman,” said Button. “He can be the bookend to the right shot of Zayne Parekh. They want a centre, they need some offence up front, there’s other ways they’re going to have to do that, I just think Carson Carels is too good to pass even if you might be looking for other things. He’s that good.”

Sam Cosentino, Sportsnet: Tynan Lawrence, C

Sportsnet’s Sam Cosentino went a different route, selecting Boston University’s Tynan Lawrence:

“With this pick the Flames are getting a worker bee, two-way centre who’s had a roller-coaster season, but has enough of a track record dating back to last year to believe he can blossom. They continue to fill their prospect base with skill at a coveted position.”

Scott Wheeler, The Athletic: Carson Carels, LHD

The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler looked at a few options, but landed on Carels:

“My brain immediately goes to the centers (Lawrence and Björck) and the left-shot D (Carels and Smits) here. But finding a potential minute-eating, good-skating, competitive top-pairing D to complement and insulate the right-shot Zayne Parekh makes the most sense for the Flames. The western Canadian farm boy Carels gives them something their pool — which is filled with smart, offensively inclined D who don’t have his bite — could really use. He feels like a perfect match for them. I do wonder about Verhoeff’s connection to Flames prospect Cole Reschny here as well, too. It’s hard not to.”

Give us your thoughts, who would you like to see the Flames select at sixth overall?