Canucks better pay attention to the Flames' rebuild

Both teams are rebuilding, but the Calgary Flames sending 32-year old Mackenzie Weegar to Utah is definitely a solid rebuild move. Don't forget, this is in addition to moving 29-year old Rasmus Andersson to Vegas earlier this year (who was at 0.63 ppg pace). The Flames have already moved their top 2 defencemen for picks and embraced the future.

The reality is both of these teams won't be competitive for years. So the Canucks' competitor in the future are teams like the Flames. Right now, I would say they have an edge because they are collecting picks like mad.

At the time of this post, the Flames currently have 11 picks in the first 6 rounds of 2026. This includes two 1st rounders, FOUR 2nd rounders, and two 3rd rounders (including one of the Canucks pick).

Meanwhile, Canucks have 7 picks in 7 rounds of the 2026 consisting of two 1st rounders, two 2nd rounders, with nothing in the 3rd or 7th round. This is not good enough. Flames have more picks in the first 3 rounds than the Canucks have in the entire draft!

But it doesn't stop there...

The problem is the Canucks prospects pool is shallow, so we need to make up for that difference. As it currently stands, the Canucks only have 2 prospects in the Top 100. Cootes at 26th and Lekkerimaki at 42nd.

Meanwhile, our division rival has 5 prospects in the Top 100, including a Parekh ranked 2nd, Reschny ranked 19th and Potter at 50th. They already have game-breaking potential.

So even if the Canucks get a top 3 pick, the Flames will likely get a top 5 pick as well adding to their pool.

Canucks should really consider trading Filip Hronek since it is a sellers market. The prices are crazy and he can easily get a high 1st rounder + a solid prospect to start. Imagine the value of Hronek if Weegar went for a million 2nd rounders.