Who would say no to a six-pack?<\/p>\n
As we\u2019ve been power-ranking the Calgary Flames<\/a>\u2019 future pieces at other positions, we have limited each list to five.<\/p>\n But the Flames have such an impressive stockpile of defence prospects that we figured we\u2019d 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\u2019ve gone with that same split here.<\/p>\n Left shots1. Kevin Bahl<\/p>\n Age: 24<\/p>\n 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<\/p>\n Working in his favour: With his 6-foot-6 frame and extended-length Bauer, Bahl\u2019s reach is approximately one city block. He ranked among the NHL\u2019s leaders this season in stick checks.<\/p>\n Still working on it: He doesn\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n Big-league potential: He\u2019s already established as a Top-4 fixture and a trusted penalty-killer.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s believed that general manager Craig Conroy is willing to go as long as five or six years on Bahl\u2019s next contract. With the possibility that Rasmus Andersson could be\u00a0traded, many have already tabbed his towering pal as the ideal partner for top prospect Zayne Parekh<\/a>.<\/p>\n 2. Etienne Morin<\/p>\n Age: 20<\/p>\n How acquired: Selected in second round, No. 48 overall, of 2023 NHL Draft<\/p>\n Working in his favour: Of the Flames\u2019 junior-aged defence prospects, you could make a case that Morin\u2019s game currently is the most mature and well-rounded.<\/p>\n Still working on it: While he\u2019s now riding some positive momentum, the next step is to prove he\u2019s ready for the jump to pro.<\/p>\n Big-league potential: Could he eventually be a fit for a Top-4 job?<\/p>\n Several months ago, Morin would not have cracked this list. The Flames weren\u2019t satisfied with his testing scores in the fall, which explains why he wasn\u2019t 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 \u2014 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.<\/p>\n 3. Yan Kuznetsov<\/p>\n Age: 23<\/p>\n How acquired: Selected in second round, No. 50 overall, of 2020 NHL Draft<\/p>\n Working in his favour: After this\u00a06-foot-5 prospect was called up for a couple of practices in February, Flames head coach Ryan Huska remarked: \u201cYou forget how big he is, you really do, and the way he skates for a big man.\u201d<\/p>\n Still working on it: The key for Kuznetsov is operating at a higher pace.<\/p>\n Big-league potential: He likely projects as a steady, puck-eating presence on the third pairing.<\/p>\n 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<\/a>.<\/p>\n Right shots1. Zayne Parekh<\/a><\/p>\n Age: 19<\/p>\n How acquired: Selected in first round, No. 9 overall, of 2024 NHL Draft<\/p>\n 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<\/a> as just the second defenceman in OHA\/OHL history to score 30-plus goals in back-to-back seasons.<\/p>\n Still working on it: The Flames\u2019 development staff have been stressing to Parekh that, despite his ability to dipsy-doodle, he needs to sometimes stick to the safe play.<\/p>\n Big-league potential: We don\u2019t throw this word around often, but this kid could be a superstar.<\/p>\n Parekh will be on the Flames\u2019 opening-night roster in the fall. He\u2019s not age-eligible for the AHL, can\u2019t go the NCAA route because he already has inked a pro contract and it wouldn\u2019t 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-\u201990s. The expectations are soaring, so remember there will be growing pains as a rookie.<\/p>\n 2. Hunter Brzustewicz<\/p>\n Age: 20<\/p>\n How acquired: Arrived via trade from Vancouver Canucks<\/a>, as part of a five-piece package in return for centre Elias Lindholm<\/p>\n Working in his favour: He\u2019s calm, poised and has terrific vision. That combo helped him to lead all OHLers \u2014 and yes, that includes the forwards \u2014 with 79 assists in 2023-24, which was his final junior campaign.<\/p>\n Still working on it: Brzustewicz needs to bump up his skating speed, something that should come with added lower-body strength. He\u2019s striving to be a bit more deceptive with his shot release, finding that he hit too many shin pads as a rookie pro.<\/p>\n Big-league potential: If Parekh is the top-pairing righty, can Brzustewicz be a staple on the second duo<\/a>?<\/p>\n Brzustewicz arguably was the Wranglers\u2019 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.<\/p>\n 3. Henry Mews<\/p>\n Age: 19<\/p>\n How acquired: Selected in third round, No. 74 overall, of 2024 NHL Draft<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n