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4 former Calgary Flames from 2024-25 roster off to strong starts this season

Colton Pankiw
Colton Pankiw
|
Oct 21 2025, 5:10 pm
4 former Calgary Flames from 2024-25 roster off to strong starts this season
Eric Hartline/Imagn Images

Some former Calgary Flames from last season’s roster are having strong starts to the 2025-26 campaign.

The Flames didn’t have a ton of turnover in the offseason. In fact, the two free-agent signings they made, Ivan Prosvetov and Nick Cicek, are both currently on the Calgary Wranglers roster.

That said, the Flames do have a number of players who suited up for at least a portion of games in 2024-25 that have since moved on and are proving to be good fits for their new teams. Here’s a look at four that are off to solid starts.

Dan Vladar

  • Team: Philadelphia Flyers
  • 2025-26 stats: 4 GP, 1.75 GAA, .929 SV%

The Flames were open to having Dan Vladar return as their back-up goaltender for the 2025-26 season and perhaps beyond. The 28-year-old was looking for a bigger opportunity, however, and seems to have found that with the Philadelphia Flyers.

Vladar has started four of the Flyers’ six games to begin the 2025-26 season, and the early results have been impressive. He’s managed a 3-1-0 record, along with a dazzling 1.75 GAA and a .929 SV%.

Anthony Mantha

  • Team: Pittsburgh Penguins
  • 2025-26 stats: 6 GP, 2 G, 2 A, 4 PTS

When the Flames signed Anthony Mantha to a one-year deal prior to the 2024-25 season, many felt he would be the type of player the organization would wind up moving at the trade deadline for future assets. Instead, he was able to suit up for just 13 games before having his season come to an end due to a torn ACL.

Mantha was forced to sign another one-year deal this offseason, this time with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He’s provided some solid secondary scoring in the early going, registering two goals and four points through six games.

Andrei Kuzmenko

  • Team: LA Kings
  • 2025-26 stats: 6 GP, 2 G, 2 A, 4 PTS

After bouncing around a bit in 2024-25, Andrei Kuzmenko seems to have found a home with the LA Kings. The 29-year-old excelled with the organization to close out the 2024-25 campaign, and was rewarded with a one-year, $4.3-million extension.

After managing 17 points in 22 regular-season games with the Kings in 2024-25, along with another six points in six playoff contests, Kuzmenko seems to be picking up right where he left off in 2025-26. Through six games, he’s managed both a pair of goals and assists.

Ilya Solovyov

  • Team: Colorado Avalanche
  • 2025-26 stats: 4 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PTS

His point totals may appear disappointing, but Ilya Solovyov will never be the type of defenceman to produce big numbers at the NHL level. When the Colorado Avalanche claimed him off waivers, they were hoping he could be a player who could fill in on the third pairing when called upon, and so far, he’s done just that.

Solovyov has suited up for four of the Avalanche’s six games to begin the 2025-26 campaign, three of which have been wins. He’s been a solid piece so far, albeit in a limited role, averaging just under 13 minutes of ice time. That said, his usage appears to be trending in the right direction, as he logged 15:28 in a 4-1 win over the Boston Bruins on Saturday.

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