Just under two weeks ago, the Calgary Flames sent signs of starting a true rebuild at this year’s trade deadline. Lots of speculation surrounded the Flames, and it finally came to fruition when Mackenzie Weegar was shipped off to the Utah Mammoth. Then on deadline day, the Flames were incredibly quiet. That was until after the deadline had passed and a trio of Flames trades trickled in. The biggest one obviously being the deal that saw Nazem Kadri return to the Colorado Avalanche. The package coming to Calgary was a 2028 1st, a 2027 2nd, winger Victor Olofsson, and prospect Max Curran. Of these four pieces, the one with the most intrigue and likely the most detail needed is Max Curran. So, let’s break down what the Flames received in Curran.
Curran’s career so far
Until his draft season, Curran was developing in his home country of Czechia. With the HC Slavia Praha program, Curran’s strong numbers were drawing interest from CHL teams. In the 2023 CHL import draft, he was selected 39th overall by the Tri-City Americans.
Across the 2023–24 season, Curran produced a respectable draft year campaign of five goals and 32 points in 40 games with the Americans. His performance impressed the Colorado Avalanche as they selected him 151st overall inside the fifth round of the 2024 NHL draft.
The following year, Curran would return to Tri-City with a much bigger role to fill. Most of the Americans’ offensive firepower had disappeared from the team. This left Curran a chance to step up and become an offensive leader. He fully seized this opportunity, with his numbers improving significantly to 22 goals and 74 points in 65 games, finishing as the team’s leading point producer. Curran’s performance would help lead Tri-City back to the playoffs. However, they would get eliminated in five games by the Victoria Royals.
Before this season began, Curran was involved in a blockbuster deal that saw him become an Edmonton Oil King. During this year’s campaign, Curran totalled 14 goals and 41 points in 31 games. This placed him third on his team in points per game. Curran also helped Czechia claim silver at the World Juniors. He had five points in seven games, three of which came in an upset victory over Canada in the semi-finals. Unfortunately, Curran’s 2025–26 season would end on January 14th. He sustained an injury against the Medicine Hat Tigers. Two months later, it was announced that he had shoulder surgery and would be out for the remainder of the year.
Curran is currently committed to the University of Massachusetts for the 2026–27 season.
Curran’s play-style
Curran brings a very intriguing style of play that sparks a good amount of hope for projectability inside the NHL one day. It definitely helps that Curran brings a proper-sized frame at 6’3″ and 187lbs, which really sells that he can be a centre at the next level.
I would say the main pull of Curran’s game is his playmaking ability. He’s quite smart with his passes, being patient for openings to be created and then finding his teammates. His playmaking isn’t consistently flashy, but it’s incredibly effective. Simple tape-to-tape feeds, cross-zone passes, give-and-gos, etc. Curran can pull off almost any pass needed in any situation. In addition to his playmaking skills, Curran has great hands and intelligence. He can consistently beat out opponents with intelligent reads and swift moves with the puck. With space, Curran plays his best. The space allows him to find his teammates with quick passes, or draw intrigue to himself, allowing a teammate to be open with that space he just had. At both ends of the ice, he positions himself nicely, allowing him to be an impactful piece in shutting down the opposing team or generating high-quality chances.
Curran isn’t the greatest skater. He has solid top-end speed and can blast off if he gets a straight line, but it isn’t very dynamic, and his agility is below average. His shot could also use some work. Curran has a pretty alright shot, but it’s not really going to do any damage at the professional level if it stays how it currently is.
How does Curran project?
Since being drafted, Curran has improved every single year. He likely has surpassed the value of his original draft position inside the fifth round. Next year, he’ll be in the NCAA, and then it’ll probably be 1–2 years in the AHL.
When it comes to Curran’s projection inside the NHL, I think you can place a comfortable bet on him being a bottom-six forward. He has the tools to be a good two-way, passing centre that can play in any situation. There’s a chance for him to reach the middle-six, although I would consider it more of an outside shot.
Regardless, receiving a possible third/fourth line centre alongside the other pieces the Flames received in the Kadri deal is very strong value.
A solid prospect to add to the depth chart
The acquisition of Max Curran is a nice bolster to the Flames’ prospect pool. With the depth it already had, a player like Curran only continues to make it grow deeper. Curran’s size, playmaking, smarts, and two-way play make him a very projectable prospect. I’d safely bet on him being at least a bottom-six forward for the Flames one day.