Calgary Flames are reportedly among the teams eyeing Carter King as the undrafted forward garners NHL attention.
University of Denver captain Carter King is on the brink of making history, chasing his third national championship in five years. But as he looks to close out his collegiate career on a high note, NHL teams are taking notice, including his hometown Calgary Flames.
The 23-year-old forward has been a standout for the Pioneers this season, tallying a career-best 36 points (18 goals, 18 assists) in 38 games while maintaining a strong +14 rating. His defensive skills haven’t gone unnoticed either, as he’s in the running for the NCHC Defensive Forward of the Year award.
Despite going undrafted, King has proven himself as a reliable two-way center, often anchoring Denver’s top line. He’s played alongside NHL-drafted talent like Aidan Thompson (Blackhawks) and Jack Devine (Panthers), helping the latter reach another 50-point season.
Since he turns 24 in August, King is only eligible for a one-year entry-level deal for the 2025-26 season. And because he wasn’t on an NHL reserve list before the trade deadline, he won’t be able to join a team this season. However, that hasn’t stopped multiple organizations from showing interest in signing him once Denver’s campaign concludes.
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For the Flames, adding a promising center like King makes sense. Their prospect pipeline at the position isn’t particularly deep, with only three centers ranked among their top 15 prospects. One of them, 2023 first-round pick Samuel Honzek, has already shifted to the wing in his limited NHL action.
Wherever King lands, he’ll likely start his pro journey in the AHL next season. But with Calgary only having 23 players signed to standard contracts for 2025-26, there’s plenty of room in the organization should he choose to sign with his hometown club.
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