With the Calgary Flames sitting near the bottom of the NHL standings and seemingly destined for a top 10 draft pick in 2026, now seems like an appropriate time to examine how the organization has fared with their previous high selections.
The Flames currently hold 68 points and sit nine points out of a playoff spot with a dismal 10-22-3 road record. While mathematically still alive, they possess the fourth-fewest points in the league and appear headed for a bottom-five finish.
Throughout their history in Calgary, the Flames have made nine selections in the top 10 of the NHL Entry Draft, with varying degrees of success. Here's how each pick developed:
Cory Stillman (6th Overall, 1992)
Calgary's first top 10 pick came more than a decade after relocating to Alberta. Stillman, selected from the Windsor Spitfires, spent seven seasons with the Flames, recording 109 goals and 235 points in 393 games. His best years came in the late 1990s with consecutive 27-goal seasons, though he was eventually traded to St. Louis for current general manager Craig Conroy.
The trade benefited both sides, as Stillman went on to win Stanley Cup championships with Tampa Bay (2004) and Carolina (2006).
Daniel Tkaczuk (6th Overall, 1997)
Not all sixth overall picks worked out as well. Tkaczuk, drafted from the Barrie Colts, managed just 19 NHL games with Calgary in 2000-01, recording four goals and 11 points. He never returned to the NHL, eventually transitioning to coaching roles in various leagues.
Rico Fata (6th Overall, 1998)
Another sixth overall selection, Fata from the London Knights had a slightly more successful career than Tkaczuk but fell short of expectations. He played only 27 games for Calgary before being claimed off waivers by the New York Rangers. His best season came with Pittsburgh in 2003-04, scoring 16 goals and 34 points.
Brent Krahn (9th Overall, 2000)
Perhaps the most disappointing top 10 pick in franchise history, goaltender Krahn played just one NHL game — and it wasn't even with Calgary. He appeared for 20 minutes with Dallas in 2008-09 before finishing his career in the minor leagues.
Eric Nystrom (10th Overall, 2002)
The Michigan forward took time to develop but eventually became a solid NHL player. After minimal early appearances, Nystrom established himself as a regular in 2007-08, scoring 19 goals and 39 points over three seasons with Calgary. He went on to have a respectable career with Minnesota, Dallas and Nashville.
Dion Phaneuf (9th Overall, 2003)
One of Calgary's most successful top 10 picks, the Edmonton-born defenceman made an immediate impact with 20 goals and 49 points in his rookie season. Though he never again reached 20 goals, Phaneuf became a reliable two-way player before being traded to Toronto in 2010. He served as Maple Leafs captain and earned multiple All-Star selections during a lengthy NHL career.
Sean Monahan (6th Overall, 2013)
The Brampton native spent nine productive seasons in Calgary, tallying 212 goals and 426 points in 656 games. His peak came in 2018-19 with 34 goals and 82 points. Declining production in his final Calgary seasons led to him being traded with a first-round pick attached to Montreal in 2022. He has since revived his career, currently playing for Columbus.
Sam Bennett (4th Overall, 2014)
Calgary's highest draft pick proved to be a late bloomer. While showing flashes of potential with the Flames, Bennett truly flourished after being traded to Florida. He won the 2025 Conn Smythe Trophy, leading the Panthers to their second consecutive Stanley Cup championship with 15 goals in 23 playoff games.
Matthew Tkachuk (6th Overall, 2016)
Perhaps the most painful departure for Flames fans, Tkachuk developed into a superstar during his Calgary tenure. His best season came in 2021-22 with 42 goals and 104 points as the Flames won the Pacific Division. However, he was traded to Florida for Jonathan Huberdeau, MacKenzie Weegar, Cole Schwindt and a first-round pick. Like Bennett, Tkachuk has won back-to-back Stanley Cups with the Panthers.
Zayne Parekh (9th Overall, 2024)
The most recent top 10 selection represents the future of Calgary's blue line. After consecutive 30-goal seasons in the OHL, Parekh has appeared in 27 NHL games this season, recording one goal and four points while adjusting to professional hockey.
As the Flames prepare for another high draft selection, their track record shows both the potential rewards and risks of top 10 picks. While players like Phaneuf and the Tkachuk brothers found success, others like Krahn and Tkaczuk never materialized into NHL regulars.
This article is based on reporting from FlamesNation.