With the 55th overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, the Calgary Flames have selected scoring winger Alan Shaikhlislamov out of Russia.
Who is Shaikhlislamov?
Shaikhlislamov is a skilled forward who has played his entire hockey career in Russia. Scoring is the main skill that Shaikhlislamov possesses, as he had a point per game season in the MHL. He is one of the youngest players in the draft, but he does not lack potential. His ability to shoot and get pucks through crowds could assist the Flames with their powerplay in the future.
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | P |
| 2023-24 | Salavat Yulaev Ufa U16 | Russia U16 | 34 | 23 | 23 | 46 |
| 2024-25 | Tolpar Ufa | MHL | 46 | 20 | 13 | 33 |
| 2025-26 | Tolpar Ufa | MHL | 31 | 18 | 17 | 35 |
Analyzing the pick
This pick makes sense for the Flames. They lack talented scoring forwards, and Shaikhlislamov can help with that. The Flames powerplay is in desperate need of some help. The team has not had a solidified shooter on the powerplay in a long time. Shaikhlislamov can serve as an excellent guy to have on the half wall, where he can fire one-timers on net. The six-foot-tall forward can also bring some physicality to the lineup and set the tone every night.
What’s next for Shaikhlislamov?
Shaikhlislamov will head back to Russia for some development. He will likely need at least a couple more seasons outside the NHL to continue to develop his game and get stronger.
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