The 2025-26 NHL season hasn’t brought many fireworks for the Calgary Flames-and that’s more or less what was expected. Sitting at 20-23-4 and near the bottom of the league standings, Calgary is right where most analysts pegged them to be: in the thick of a retooling phase, still figuring out what the next version of this team will look like.
The lack of elite, top-end talent has been a clear hurdle. Nazem Kadri leads the team in scoring, but with just 32 points through 47 games, it’s a reminder that this roster isn’t built to light up the scoreboard on a nightly basis. Players like Jonathan Huberdeau, Morgan Frost, Connor Zary, and Yegor Sharangovich have struggled to find consistent form, contributing to the team’s offensive woes.
But even in a season that’s largely about development and evaluation, there have been some bright spots-players who’ve not only met expectations but exceeded them. Let’s take a closer look at four Flames who’ve stood out for all the right reasons.
Rasmus Andersson: Rebounding in a Big Way
After a down year in 2024-25, Calgary needed Rasmus Andersson to bounce back-and the 29-year-old blueliner has delivered. With 10 goals already through 47 games, he’s just one shy of matching his career high, and he’s doing it while playing a solid two-way game.
Andersson has looked much more like the player who once flirted with top-pairing status. His puck movement has been sharp, his reads have been sound, and his ability to contribute offensively without sacrificing his responsibilities in his own zone has been a major plus. With trade rumors swirling, Andersson’s resurgence couldn’t have come at a better time-for both his value and the Flames’ future asset pool.
Mikael Backlund: The Captain Turns Back the Clock
At 36, Mikael Backlund is supposed to be slowing down. Instead, he’s having one of the best seasons of his career. On pace for 54 points, Backlund has rediscovered his offensive touch without compromising the defensive reliability that’s defined his game for years.
He’s always been a coach’s dream-responsible, consistent, and quietly effective-but this year, he’s added a little extra flair to his game. That’s why his name is starting to creep into Selke Trophy conversations.
Backlund’s leadership has also been invaluable for a young Flames squad still trying to find its identity. He’s setting the tone both on and off the ice.
Yan Kuznetsov: From Waivers Risk to Defensive Mainstay
It wasn’t long ago that Yan Kuznetsov was placed on waivers without much reaction. Fast forward three months, and the 23-year-old defenseman looks like a key piece of Calgary’s blue line for the foreseeable future.
Since being recalled from the AHL’s Calgary Wranglers early in the season, Kuznetsov has averaged over 20 minutes of ice time per game-an impressive workload for a rookie. He’s shown poise beyond his years, making smart decisions with the puck and holding his own against top competition. The Flames may have stumbled upon a legitimate top-four defenseman, and that’s a big win for a team in transition.
Devin Cooley: Making the Most of His Moment
Devin Cooley’s season didn’t exactly start with a vote of confidence. After a shaky preseason, he watched Dustin Wolf start both games of the opening back-to-back. But Cooley stayed patient-and when his chance came, he made it count.
In 15 appearances, Cooley has posted a 2.20 goals-against average and a .921 save percentage. Those numbers are strong enough to earn him a two-year, $2.7 million contract extension in December. Now firmly in the mix as Wolf’s backup, Cooley has gone from roster bubble to reliable No. 2, providing stability in the crease when the Flames have needed it most.
Beyond the Standouts
Outside of these four, it’s slim pickings when it comes to standout performances in Calgary this season. Blake Coleman deserves a nod-he’s been a solid contributor, especially when paired with Backlund-but beyond that, the list gets short in a hurry.
And that’s part of the story here. The Flames are where they are in the standings not just because they’re rebuilding, but because too many players simply haven’t stepped up.
Still, seasons like this are about more than wins and losses. They’re about identifying who’s part of the solution moving forward. And thanks to players like Andersson, Backlund, Kuznetsov, and Cooley, Calgary has a few more answers than they did when the season started.