The final steps of the Flames’ rebuild likely happened at the 2016 draft, where the Flames came up loaded with draft picks and returned with a handful of very, very promising prospects. One of them is already trending towards being an elite NHL player, and there are two or three that look to at least be regular contributors. Given that NHL teams usually get around one player per draft, it’s not a bad haul.
The next in line to graduate is Dillon Dube, the second Flames pick of that draft. The youngish (still 19) centre has grown immensely, starting his career as an under the radar energy player and finishing it as a potential top six winger.