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5 dark-horse players who could crack Calgary Flames roster this season

Colton Pankiw
Colton Pankiw
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Sep 4 2025, 5:47 pm
5 dark-horse players who could crack Calgary Flames roster this season
Sergei Belski/Imagn Images

Hockey is right around the corner, with the Calgary Flames set to kick off their 2025-26 regular season on Oct. 8.

As excited as everybody is for the regular season, many within the Flames organization are eager to get camp underway, as there will be a number of players duking it out in hopes of earning a spot on the NHL roster.

Though there isn’t a large number of spots up for grabs, there are a few that can be earned through a strong training camp. With that said, here are dark horses who can step up and earn a spot with the Flames this coming season.

Rory Kerins

  • Position: C/LW
  • 2024-25 stats: 63 GP, 33 G, 28 A, 61 PTS (AHL)

There is growing support for Rory Kerins in Calgary, with several Flames fans hoping to see him get a legitimate shot this coming season. The 23-year-old doesn’t seem to have much more to prove in the AHL after scoring 33 goals and 61 points in 63 games this past season.

The issue for Kerins is that he lacks both speed and sound defensive play. What that means is that when he’s not producing, he is rather ineffective. It will be interesting to watch him in training camp to see how he goes about trying to improve his overall game.

Sam Morton

  • Position: C
  • 2024-25 stats: 70 GP, 20 G, 25 A, 45 PTS (AHL)

The one thing Kerins really has in his corner is that he can play down the middle, a position that the Flames lack. That said, if they would prefer a centreman with better defensive abilities, they could instead give a long look to the undrafted 26-year-old Sam Morton.

flames-morton

Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Imagn Images

Morton played in his rookie professional season in 2024-25 and didn’t look out of place, scoring 20 goals and 45 points. The organization clearly has some hope that he can morph into an NHLer, as he was one of four call-ups prior to their regular season finale in 2024-25.

Ilya Solovyov

  • Position: D
  • 2024-25 stats: 59 GP, 6 G, 22 A, 28 PTS (AHL)

Ilya Solovyov has come close to cracking the Flames roster permanently before, but a lack of foot speed has seemingly held him back. Now, at the age of 25, you can’t help but wonder how many more cracks he’ll have to prove himself as an everyday NHLer.

There are a few spots that could be had on the Flames’ back end this coming season, and though Solovyov certainly isn’t the favourite to take it, he could grab it should he have a strong camp.

Yan Kuznetsov

  • Position: D
  • 2024-25 stats: 72 GP, 6 G, 15 A, 21 PTS (AHL)

Another true dark horse to crack the Flames roster on the back end is Yan Kuznetsov. The recently turned 23-year-old is coming off of is third professional season, and has turned into a strong defender during his time with the Calgary Wranglers.

Kuznetsov will be competing against several, including Solovyov, for a spot. He doesn’t seem to be getting much attention when it comes to making the team, but could wind up surprising many.

Hunter Brzustewicz

  • Position: D
  • 2024-25 stats: 70 GP, 5 G, 27 A, 32 PTS (AHL)

After a rough start to his professional career in 2024-25, Hunter Brzustewicz was able to settle in with the Wranglers and had a strong second half of the season. The offensively gifted defenceman remains one of the better prospects in the Flames organization.

flames-brzustewicz

Andy Abeyta/The Desert Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The good news for Brzustewicz is that a right-handed spot should be open soon, with Rasmus Andersson set to be traded. The bad news is that the Flames also have Zayne Parekh, who has a very strong chance of making the roster out of training camp. Either way, there may be room for Brzustewicz as well if his defensive game has come far enough.

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