Who would say no to a six-pack?
As we’ve been power-ranking the Calgary Flames’ future pieces at other positions, we have limited each list to five.
But the Flames have such an impressive stockpile of defence prospects that we figured we’d go a little deeper on this one. Besides, you dress a half-dozen rearguards for every game, ideally three left shots and three righties. For that reason, we’ve gone with that same split here.
Left shots1. Kevin Bahl
Age: 24
How acquired: Arrived via trade from New Jersey Devils, along with a first-round pick in 2025 NHL Draft, in exchange for goaltender Jacob Markstrom
Working in his favour: With his 6-foot-6 frame and extended-length Bauer, Bahl’s reach is approximately one city block. He ranked among the NHL’s leaders this season in stick checks.
Still working on it: He doesn’t need to be looking for open-ice hits or picking fights, but if he could develop a bit more of a mean streak, it would be bad news for opponents.
Big-league potential: He’s already established as a Top-4 fixture and a trusted penalty-killer.
One of three Flames regulars to average north of 20 minutes a night this season, Bahl has cemented his status as an important presence both now and for the future. As he skates toward restricted free agency, it’s believed that general manager Craig Conroy is willing to go as long as five or six years on Bahl’s next contract. With the possibility that Rasmus Andersson could be traded, many have already tabbed his towering pal as the ideal partner for top prospect Zayne Parekh.
2. Etienne Morin
Age: 20
How acquired: Selected in second round, No. 48 overall, of 2023 NHL Draft
Working in his favour: Of the Flames’ junior-aged defence prospects, you could make a case that Morin’s game currently is the most mature and well-rounded.
Still working on it: While he’s now riding some positive momentum, the next step is to prove he’s ready for the jump to pro.
Big-league potential: Could he eventually be a fit for a Top-4 job?
Several months ago, Morin would not have cracked this list. The Flames weren’t satisfied with his testing scores in the fall, which explains why he wasn’t tapped for a single exhibition appearance before he was reassigned to junior. They were, however, thrilled with the way that Morin responded to their challenge — both on the ice, where he piled up 81 points and posted a plus-43 rating in 85 total outings as a workhorse for the QMJHL champion Moncton Wildcats, and in the weight room.
3. Yan Kuznetsov
Age: 23
How acquired: Selected in second round, No. 50 overall, of 2020 NHL Draft
Working in his favour: After this 6-foot-5 prospect was called up for a couple of practices in February, Flames head coach Ryan Huska remarked: “You forget how big he is, you really do, and the way he skates for a big man.”
Still working on it: The key for Kuznetsov is operating at a higher pace.
Big-league potential: He likely projects as a steady, puck-eating presence on the third pairing.
There were a couple of other candidates for this spot. Ilya Solovyov already has totalled 15 appearances in the Flaming C and Jeremie Poirier led the Wranglers in assists this season, but we believe Kuznetsov is the most likely to carve out a regular role at the NHL level. With his size and skating ability, some around the Saddledome believe he has the ingredients to be a Bahl knock-off.
Right shots1. Zayne Parekh
Age: 19
How acquired: Selected in first round, No. 9 overall, of 2024 NHL Draft
Working in his favour: Parekh is a gifted skater and an elite offensive talent. He must still be pinching himself as he thinks about one of his latest junior milestones, joining the legendary Bobby Orr as just the second defenceman in OHA/OHL history to score 30-plus goals in back-to-back seasons.
Still working on it: The Flames’ development staff have been stressing to Parekh that, despite his ability to dipsy-doodle, he needs to sometimes stick to the safe play.
Big-league potential: We don’t throw this word around often, but this kid could be a superstar.
Parekh will be on the Flames’ opening-night roster in the fall. He’s not age-eligible for the AHL, can’t go the NCAA route because he already has inked a pro contract and it wouldn’t make much sense to send him back to junior, where he just put up the highest point total by any OHL rearguard since the mid-’90s. The expectations are soaring, so remember there will be growing pains as a rookie.
2. Hunter Brzustewicz
Age: 20
How acquired: Arrived via trade from Vancouver Canucks, as part of a five-piece package in return for centre Elias Lindholm
Working in his favour: He’s calm, poised and has terrific vision. That combo helped him to lead all OHLers — and yes, that includes the forwards — with 79 assists in 2023-24, which was his final junior campaign.
Still working on it: Brzustewicz needs to bump up his skating speed, something that should come with added lower-body strength. He’s striving to be a bit more deceptive with his shot release, finding that he hit too many shin pads as a rookie pro.
Big-league potential: If Parekh is the top-pairing righty, can Brzustewicz be a staple on the second duo?
Brzustewicz arguably was the Wranglers’ best blue-liner during the last stretch of the season, which is quite a compliment when you consider that he also was the youngest of their regular rearguards. He was rewarded with an opportunity to log his NHL debut in Game 82. With his cool-under-pressure demeanour, he reminds some of Andersson.
3. Henry Mews
Age: 19
How acquired: Selected in third round, No. 74 overall, of 2024 NHL Draft
Working in his favour: This mobile teen has superb playmaking skills. He notched 68 assists in the same number of regular-season games this winter. Among OHL defenceman, only Parekh had more apples.
Still working on it: As a converted forward, Mews realizes that some doubt his defensive work. He’ll need to continue to muscle up, too.
Big-league potential: Ask us in a year or so. This coming season will tell us a lot.
The biggest roadblock for Mews is that he could be stuck behind both Parekh and Brzustewicz on the Flames’ long-term depth chart. A team only needs two power-play quarterbacks, but if all three develop into difference-makers, that would be a good problem to have. Mews is now enrolled at the University of Michigan, which boasts an impressive list of blue-line alums — among them, Quinn Hughes, Owen Power and Zach Werenski.