American Thanksgiving serves as the NHL season’s unofficial quarter-way marker. While the majority of teams, including the Calgary Flames (19 games played), have played fewer than the true 25 percent (20.5 games) of their 82-game campaign, this time of year is often when teams and their respective fanbases begin to have a fairly clear picture of what their club is made of.
At the beginning of the season, Flame For Thought came up with some just-for-fun Calgary Flames awards that we could track throughout the year and hand out, virtually, at the conclusion of the regular season. In this article, we’ll revisit each award, name a front-runner, and mention any other candidates as things stand at this juncture in the season.
The Pat Steinberg Passion Award
Recognizes the player or other member of the Calgary Flames organization deemed to have the highest level of passion for the Calgary Flames and the game of hockey in general
Frontrunner: Martin Pospisil
In the mix: Noah Hanifin, Jacob Markstrom
Visit The Pat Steinberg Passion Award for more details on the award →
The Mangiapane’s Hairline Bounce-back Award
Given to the player deemed to have the most significant bounce-back during the regular season
Frontrunner: At this point in time, no player on the Calgary Flames has done enough to be considered a frontrunner for this award.
In the mix: Jonathan Huberdeau and Nazem Kadri have each had extended streaks of underperformance, but both have also showed flashes of brilliance. If either of them is able to find consistent production, he could emerge as a frontrunner for the Mangiapane’s Hairline Bounce-back Award. At the same time, Huberdeau and Kadri are in advantageous positions when it comes to having “bounce-back” seasons due to their sub-par bodies of work in 2022-23.
Visit The Mangiapane’s Hairline Bounce-back Award for more details on the award →
The Darryl Sutter Controversy Award
Awarded to the player, coach, manager, moment, event, or other person or thing to responsible for the most controversy
Frontrunner: Nikita Zadorov trade request
In the mix: UFAs, tank versus rebuild, Rasmus Andersson suspension
Visit The Darryl Sutter Controversy Award for more details on the award →
The Meaghan Mikkelson Newcomer Award
Given to the newcomer who provides the greatest positive impact on the Flames on-ice performance during the regular season
Frontrunner: Connor Zary
In the mix: Martin Pospisil
Visit The Meaghan Mikkelson Newcomer Award for more details on the award →
The Jim “Uncle Hockey” Gaudreau Commitment Award
Awarded to the member of the Flames organization who displays the greatest commitment to the club
Frontrunner: Blake Coleman
In the mix: Jonathan Huberdeau
Visit The Jim “Uncle Hockey” Gaudreau Commitment Award for more details on the award →
The Chris Sutter Entertainment Award
Given to the player, staff member, or simply a moment that most entertains the fan base
Frontrunner: Rasmus Andersson OT winner versus Kraken
In the mix: “Kadri and the kids” line (Nazem Kadri, Connor Zary, Martin Pospisil)
Visit The Chris Sutter Entertainment Award for more details on the award →
The Tim Hunter PIM King Award
Goes to the player who earns the most PIMs
Frontrunner: Andrew Mangiapane (25 PIM)
In the mix: Nikita Zadorov (23), Blake Coleman (22)
Visit The Tim Hunter PIM King Award for more details on the award →
The Jarome Iginla MVP Award
Awarded to the Calgary Flames’ MVP
Frontrunner: N/A
In the mix: Nazem Kadri, Jacob Markstrom
Visit The Jarome Iginla MVP Award for more details on the award →
The Chris Snow Memorial Analytics Darling Award
Given to the player with the most outstanding advanced hockey analytics numbers at the end of the season
Frontrunner: Nazem Kadri
In the mix: Noah Hanifin, MacKenzie Weegar, Connor Zary, Martin Pospisil
Visit The Chris Snow Memorial Analytics Darling Award for more details on the award →