The 2025/26 Calgary Flames season has just two games remaining, and with a record of 33-38-9, they've long been eliminated from Stanley Cup Playoffs contention. That doesn't mean the season has been a complete waste however, as the front office made some very effective trades for the future, with the young core pieces of the team settling into place at the NHL level as well.
All eyes coming into the season were on the likes of Zayne Parekh, Matvei Gridin, Hunter Brzustewicz, Aydar Suniev and others, all of whom have ended up playing multiple games in the NHL in a season for the first time in their career. One name that came out of nowhere was Yan Kuznetsov, who has been with the AHL team since the Stockton Heat back in 2020/21.
Over the past two seasons, he's emerged a a key piece on the Calgary Wranglers blue line, playing in 135 games between 2023/24 and 2024/25, tallying 11 goals and 34 points in that time while playing solid, stay at home minutes for the team. Then, he got his big break this season, and when given the opportunity, he took it with both hands, appearing in 57 games for the Flames this season as a very consistent presence on their left side.
Unfortunately, the 24-year old has been rather banged up as of late, and ahead of Game 81 on Tuesday night against the Colorado Avalanche, Head Coach Ryan Huska confirmed that he will be out for the remainder of the season.
#Flames head coach Ryan Huska provides updates on Yan Kuznetsov and Matt Coronato and talks about what he's looking to see from Rory Kerins tonight. pic.twitter.com/GXvECUQgd3
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) April 14, 2026
While he came to the NHL as a stay-at-home defenseman, Kuznetsov was a solid producer in his 57 games, posting 4 goals and 12 points in a limited role for the team, with Huska clearly growing confident and comfortable with his young blue liner throughout the year.
The Flames blue line has plenty of improving to do moving forward, but with Kuznetsov and Kevin Bahl on the right and Parekh, Brzustewicz and Zach Whitecloud on the right, things are looking up, but unfortunately, Yan won't get another opportunity in 2025/26, although he'll be a favourite to win a key role on the blue line next season.
Add us as a preferred source on Google