Now that we’re officially halfway through the Calgary Flames’ 2025-2026 season, it’s time to hand out some midseason Calgary Flames awards. As always in Calgary, this season has been quite a wild ride as the Flames went from calling themselves a playoff team to the bottom of the NHL standings in quite a hurry.
There have been some standout players in the first half of the season so far, both in good and bad ways. I’m handing out Flames awards for MVP, Best Defenseman, Biggest Disappointment and Breakout Player.
MVP – Nazem Kadri
Second place: Blake Coleman
This was the Flames’ toughest award to hand out, simply because no one has been a true MVP for this team. On a team that was absolutely atrocious offensively, 35-year-old Nazem Kadri was one of the only bright spots. The veteran center is currently the only Flame with more than 30 points this season. At his current pace, he’s projected to score around 57 points this season, no small feat for a team that ranks 31st in the NHL in goals per game.
To put Kadri’s performance into context, no other Flames forward is on track to even reach the 50-point threshold this season. Even during his recent slump, he still leads the Flames in assists, points, power play points and shots through 46 games.
Who knows where the Flames offense would be right now without him? As my second choice I chose Blake Coleman. The fellow veteran forward is also having a strong season and ranks first on the Flames in goals scored.
Best defender – Rasmus Andersson
Second place: Kevin Bahl
Rasmus Andersson is playing with an expiring contract and may have the best season of his entire career in 2025-2026. The 29-year-old is currently second on the Flames with 29 points, behind only Nazem Kadri. The next closest Flames defenseman only has 16 points.
At his current pace, he is on pace to reach 52 points, which would mark a new career high. He also ranks second on the Flames in assists, fourth in goals, and leads the team in average ice time of over 24 minutes per game. Andersson had an otherwise weak Flames defensive group this season. As number two, I selected Kevin Bahl, who is quietly having a very strong defensive season.
Breakout player – Yan Kuznetsov
Second place: Devin Cooley
Who would have thought that of all the prospects in the Flames system, Yan Kuznetsov would be the one playing regular NHL minutes come January. The 2020 second-round pick has kind of fallen off the radar in recent seasons due to all the shiny new toys in the Flames system. And yet here we are halfway through the 2025-26 season and Kuznetsov is the only regular rookie on the Flames roster.
Kuznetsov has done an excellent job of earning the trust of head coach Ryan Huska, which is no small feat for a U24 player. Averaging just over 20 minutes per night, Kuznetsov was exactly what the Flames’ defense group needed as a big, heavy left-shooting defenseman. Once considered an AHL lifer, Kuznetsov looks like a potentially big part of the Flames’ blueline now and in the future.
Second I went with journeyman Devin Cooley. The veteran goaltender has gone from an NHL tweener to one of the best backups in the NHL this season.
Biggest disappointment – ​​Connor Zary
Second place: Yegor Sharangovich, Johnathan Huberdeau
In a season like this, there were several options to choose from. In the end, I chose the player who had the highest expectations at the start of the season. Connor Zary appeared poised for a breakout season in 2025-26 following his new contract and new bill of health. Unfortunately, it has been a nightmare season for Zary, who currently has just 17 points in 44 games. That total ranks 10th among the Flames. For a player who once looked like he had 60-plus point potential, Zary is on pace for just 32 points in his third NHL season.
In second place I went with both Yegor Sharangovich and Johnathan Huberdeau. Sharangovich kicks off his big five-year extension, but performs terribly for the second year in a row. At a 31-point pace, Sharangovich is quickly becoming one of the worst signings in Flames history.
Huberdeau now has a chance to win this prize every season, it seems. The veteran is having his worst season yet as a Flame, playing at a 42-point pace and making $10.5 million per season.
The early leaders
When the Flames are in third place in the NHL, handing out awards is no easy task. Midway through the 2025-26 season, there have been some definite standout performances in Calgary, for good and bad reasons. That said, the season still has three months left to surprise us, and it will be interesting to see who will claim these prizes at the end of the season.
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