Should the Calgary Flames trade up to snag the second overall pick? It’s a bold move that definitely won’t come cheap. Flames fans were likely hoping for better luck at the NHL Draft Lottery, but landing at sixth overall is where they currently stand. While the sixth spot offers a solid prospect, the Flames need a franchise-altering forward to spark excitement, sell tickets, and provide hope. With a new arena on the horizon, the team needs to be competitive and exciting from day one - ownership has said as much. They need elite goal scoring, and forwards like Gavin McKenna and Ivar Stenberg - who are slated to go in the top two picks [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/calgary-flames/latest-news/mckenna-or-bust-flames-face-defining-night-at-2026-draft-lottery] - could potentially provide that. © Gavin McKenna - Barry Reeger-Imagn Images [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/5aec56ca-fdb0-4211-ab72-e4d7a74f93c3.jpeg] © Gavin McKenna - Barry Reeger-Imagn Images The current draft order is: 1. Toronto Maple Leafs 2. San Jose Sharks 3. Vancouver Canucks 4. Chicago Blackhawks 5. New York Rangers 6. Calgary Flames With a surplus of second-rounders and two first-round picks, the Flames have the assets to move up. It might seem very unlikely for San Jose to part with the second pick, but as the saying goes, "If Gretzky can be traded, anyone can be moved." So, what would it cost to move into that number two slot? It would be significant. The Sharks could identify a cornerstone defenceman at the draft, like Carson Carels, Chase Reid or Keaton Verhoeff [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/calgary-flames/latest-news/mckenna-or-bust-flames-face-defining-night-at-2026-draft-lottery] to complement their established phenom Macklin Celebrini. Meanwhile, with Matt Sundin at the helm in Toronto, they could potentially lean toward a Swedish selection like Stenberg, which would result in McKenna sliding to number two. If the Flames can get there, somehow, they could finally land the star player the fanbase has been clambering for. San Jose needs defence and better goaltending after finishing last season with the third most goals against, with 290. They also need veteran leadership. This is where the Flames can build a compelling package. THE MOCK TRADE To Calgary Flames: * 2026 1st Round Pick (2nd Overall) To San Jose Sharks: * 2026 1st Round Pick (6th Overall) * 2026 1st Round Pick (via Vegas - late 1st) * Blake Coleman (F/C) * Devin Cooley (G) © Jerome Miron-Imagn Images [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/fa502455-9e66-44c4-afa9-3b6f1a09ad19.jpeg] © Jerome Miron-Imagn Images This package offers the Sharks two first-rounders, a two-time Cup winner in Coleman, and Cooley, a California native (and former Shark) who posted a .909 save percentage last season (6th highest) [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/calgary-flames/latest-news/devin-cooley-named-calgary-nominee-for-masterton-trophy]. For the Flames, with eight picks in the first three rounds, this is the perfect time to make a franchise-altering splash. Whether it’s to secure Stenberg or McKenna, the Flames should be aggressive. Is it a heavy price? Maybe. Is it possible, sure, although not likely. But for a chance at a superstar, it’s a gamble worth taking. The NHL Draft is on Jun 26-27, 2026 at Keybank Center in Buffalo and Craig Conroy will undoubtedly be looking for ways to level up this roster.
