Flames year-end awards: Rookie Dustin Wolf is definitive MVP
For as good as many veterans were in 2024-25, it’s hard to argue for anyone other than Dustin Wolf as Calgary’s MVP. He was just that good. Pat Steinberg hands out year-end awards for the Flames.
Where would the Calgary Flames have been this season without Dustin Wolf?
It’s a question we asked in this market many times during Wolf’s rookie campaign, and there’s at least one definitive answer: not in the playoff fight until the very end.
For as good as many veterans were over the last eight months, it’s hard to argue for anyone other than Wolf as Calgary’s 2024-25 Most Valuable Player.
He was just that good.
/* if ( "1" == true && 'undefined' !== typeof window.getIndexAds ) { var so = {preroll:{1:{1:{siteID:191888},2:{siteID:191889}}}}; adServerUrl = window.getIndexAds( 'http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6371692236112&cmsid=384', so, permalink); } else { adServerUrl = "http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6371692236112&cmsid=384"; } */ adServerUrl = "http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6371692236112&cmsid=384"; var adServerUrl_result = adServerUrl.includes("cust_params"); var queryString=''; if(adServerUrl_result){ var gettheDUFI = false; if (localStorage.getItem("consent") !== null && localStorage.getItem("consent-targeting") !== null) gettheDUFI = localStorage.getItem("theRED_loc");
if(gettheDUFI){ queryString += "dufiid=" + gettheDUFI + '&'; queryString += "ppid=" + gettheDUFI + '&'; var ppid = "ppid=" + gettheDUFI + '&'; }
var DUFI_IP = false; if (localStorage.getItem("consent") !== null && localStorage.getItem("consent-targeting") !== null) DUFI_IP = sessionStorage.getItem("DUFI_IP");
if(DUFI_IP){ queryString += "dufiip=" + DUFI_IP + '&'; }
adServerUrl = adServerUrl.replace(/cust_params=/, ppid + 'cust_params=' + encodeURIComponent(queryString) ); }
$el.after( unescape("%3Cscript src=\"" + (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https://sb" : "http://b") + ".scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js\" %3E%3C/script%3E") );
$( document ).one( 'ready', function() { $( "#video_container-580512" ).SNPlayer( { bc_account_id: "1704050871", bc_player_id: "JCdte3tMv", //autoplay: true, //is_has_autoplay_switch: false, bc_videos: 6371692236112, is_has_continuous_play: "false", adserverurl: adServerUrl, section: "", thumbnail: "https://www.sportsnet.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/6371692236112-1024x576.jpg", direct_url: "https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/video/heck-of-an-experience-flames-wolf-reflects-on-first-nhl-season/" }); });
Wolf, who turned 24 last month, went 29-16-8 with a 0.910 save percentage and will almost certainly be named a Calder Trophy finalist on Monday. Along the way, Wolf set new franchise rookie single-season records with 53 starts and three shutouts. Both marks were previously held by Hall of Famer Mike Vernon.
Oh, and he also shattered the glass ceiling that seems to hover over goaltenders “lacking size”.
For those into nerdy stats, Wolf checks those boxes, too. Wolf finished the regular season with a 0.926 SV percentage at five-on-five, which tied him for ninth overall (minimum 500 minutes played). And Wolf’s 0.835 SV percentage on high-danger chances, via Natural Stat Trick, was good for 14th overall.
But perhaps most telling was Wolf’s 5.2 wins above replacement (WAR) as calculated by Evolving Hockey, which placed him fifth overall behind only Connor Hellebuyck (8.5), Anthony Stolarz, Andrei Vasilevskiy, and Darcy Kuemper.
Anyone who watched the Flames regularly this season won’t have any issue with Wolf being in that company.
Most Valuable Skater: Nazem Kadri
With Wolf as Calgary’s definitive MVP this season, we’ll reflect that in the rest of our year-end awards. But it would be a shame not to recognize Kadri’s outstanding year, which saw him set a career high with 35 goals to go along with 67 points, his third highest total ever.
Approaching 1,000 NHL games, Kadri is as important to his current team as he’s ever been. His 20 goals and 35 points at five-on-five led the Flames, as did his totals at all strengths, while Kadri’s 38 drawn penalties tied him with Ottawa’s Tim Stützle for the league lead.
/* if ( "1" == true && 'undefined' !== typeof window.getIndexAds ) { var so = {preroll:{1:{1:{siteID:191888},2:{siteID:191889}}}}; adServerUrl = window.getIndexAds( 'http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6370564480112&cmsid=384', so, permalink); } else { adServerUrl = "http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6370564480112&cmsid=384"; } */ adServerUrl = "http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6370564480112&cmsid=384"; var adServerUrl_result = adServerUrl.includes("cust_params"); var queryString=''; if(adServerUrl_result){ var gettheDUFI = false; if (localStorage.getItem("consent") !== null && localStorage.getItem("consent-targeting") !== null) gettheDUFI = localStorage.getItem("theRED_loc");
if(gettheDUFI){ queryString += "dufiid=" + gettheDUFI + '&'; queryString += "ppid=" + gettheDUFI + '&'; var ppid = "ppid=" + gettheDUFI + '&'; }
var DUFI_IP = false; if (localStorage.getItem("consent") !== null && localStorage.getItem("consent-targeting") !== null) DUFI_IP = sessionStorage.getItem("DUFI_IP");
if(DUFI_IP){ queryString += "dufiip=" + DUFI_IP + '&'; }
adServerUrl = adServerUrl.replace(/cust_params=/, ppid + 'cust_params=' + encodeURIComponent(queryString) ); }
$el.after( unescape("%3Cscript src=\"" + (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https://sb" : "http://b") + ".scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js\" %3E%3C/script%3E") );
$( document ).one( 'ready', function() { $( "#video_container-162265" ).SNPlayer( { bc_account_id: "1704050871", bc_player_id: "JCdte3tMv", //autoplay: true, //is_has_autoplay_switch: false, bc_videos: 6370564480112, is_has_continuous_play: "false", adserverurl: adServerUrl, section: "", thumbnail: "https://www.sportsnet.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/6370564480112-1024x576.jpg", direct_url: "https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/video/gotta-see-it-kadris-beautiful-breakaway-goal-wins-it-for-flames-in-ot/" }); });
And if you’re a believer in how “clutch” a player is, consider this: 24 of Kadri’s 35 goals, and 50 of his 67 points, came when the score was either tied or within a goal either way. As such, almost 70 per cent of Kadri’s goals (and 75 per cent of his points) helped Calgary tie a game, take the lead, or give the team a crucial two-goal cushion.
Unsung Hero: Joel Hanley
I don’t know if Hanley will be back as a pending unrestricted free agent this summer. But I do know the 33-year-old defenceman played a bigger role for Calgary this season than anyone could have ever expected.
Claimed off waivers from Dallas in March 2024, Hanley entered training camp as Calgary’s eighth D-man, if not further down the depth chart. And then everything changed in mid-December when Hanley got the call to play on MacKenzie Weegar’s left side.
/* if ( "1" == true && 'undefined' !== typeof window.getIndexAds ) { var so = {preroll:{1:{1:{siteID:191888},2:{siteID:191889}}}}; adServerUrl = window.getIndexAds( 'http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6369243984112&cmsid=384', so, permalink); } else { adServerUrl = "http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6369243984112&cmsid=384"; } */ adServerUrl = "http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6369243984112&cmsid=384"; var adServerUrl_result = adServerUrl.includes("cust_params"); var queryString=''; if(adServerUrl_result){ var gettheDUFI = false; if (localStorage.getItem("consent") !== null && localStorage.getItem("consent-targeting") !== null) gettheDUFI = localStorage.getItem("theRED_loc");
if(gettheDUFI){ queryString += "dufiid=" + gettheDUFI + '&'; queryString += "ppid=" + gettheDUFI + '&'; var ppid = "ppid=" + gettheDUFI + '&'; }
var DUFI_IP = false; if (localStorage.getItem("consent") !== null && localStorage.getItem("consent-targeting") !== null) DUFI_IP = sessionStorage.getItem("DUFI_IP");
if(DUFI_IP){ queryString += "dufiip=" + DUFI_IP + '&'; }
adServerUrl = adServerUrl.replace(/cust_params=/, ppid + 'cust_params=' + encodeURIComponent(queryString) ); }
$el.after( unescape("%3Cscript src=\"" + (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https://sb" : "http://b") + ".scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js\" %3E%3C/script%3E") );
$( document ).one( 'ready', function() { $( "#video_container-170316" ).SNPlayer( { bc_account_id: "1704050871", bc_player_id: "JCdte3tMv", //autoplay: true, //is_has_autoplay_switch: false, bc_videos: 6369243984112, is_has_continuous_play: "false", adserverurl: adServerUrl, section: "", thumbnail: "https://www.sportsnet.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/6369243984112-1024x576.jpg", direct_url: "https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/video/flames-joel-hanley-picks-top-corner-to-snipe-first-goal-of-the-season/" }); });
A healthy scratch for 24 of the team’s first 31 games, Hanley seized his opportunity and never looked back. Prior to this year, Hanley had recorded just three NHL games with more than 20 minutes of time on ice. He added 18 more in the back half of this season, including a career high 24:14 in an April 5th game vs. Vegas.
Hanley’s emergence came out of nowhere and helped the Flames solidify an unsettled blueline. It allowed Weegar to play his strong side after swapping back and forth with different partners prior. By the end of the year, Hanley and Weegar were clearly Calgary’s top pair, with Kevin Bahl and Rasmus Andersson rounding out the top four.
Most Frustrating Season: Rasmus Andersson
We know Andersson’s future is the number one story of the off-season in this market as he enters the final season of a six-year contract. And if that decision ends up being made this summer, it’ll be on the heels of an inconsistent and frustrating campaign.
Andersson finished the season with a minus-38, which was the lowest mark on the team and the third lowest in the league behind Boston’s Mason Lohrei (minus-43) and Chicago’s Tyler Bertuzzi (minus-39). And per Natural Stat Trick, Andersson was minus-33 in five-on-five high danger chances; he was on ice for 259 chances for and 292 against.
“If we think about it, I mean, points-wise and me chewing on minuses every night, it’s not my best season,” Andersson admitted when the Flames cleaned out their lockers at the end of the season.
“Is it smart for me to sign (now)?”
/* if ( "1" == true && 'undefined' !== typeof window.getIndexAds ) { var so = {preroll:{1:{1:{siteID:191888},2:{siteID:191889}}}}; adServerUrl = window.getIndexAds( 'http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6371693587112&cmsid=384', so, permalink); } else { adServerUrl = "http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6371693587112&cmsid=384"; } */ adServerUrl = "http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6371693587112&cmsid=384"; var adServerUrl_result = adServerUrl.includes("cust_params"); var queryString=''; if(adServerUrl_result){ var gettheDUFI = false; if (localStorage.getItem("consent") !== null && localStorage.getItem("consent-targeting") !== null) gettheDUFI = localStorage.getItem("theRED_loc");
if(gettheDUFI){ queryString += "dufiid=" + gettheDUFI + '&'; queryString += "ppid=" + gettheDUFI + '&'; var ppid = "ppid=" + gettheDUFI + '&'; }
var DUFI_IP = false; if (localStorage.getItem("consent") !== null && localStorage.getItem("consent-targeting") !== null) DUFI_IP = sessionStorage.getItem("DUFI_IP");
if(DUFI_IP){ queryString += "dufiip=" + DUFI_IP + '&'; }
adServerUrl = adServerUrl.replace(/cust_params=/, ppid + 'cust_params=' + encodeURIComponent(queryString) ); }
$el.after( unescape("%3Cscript src=\"" + (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https://sb" : "http://b") + ".scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js\" %3E%3C/script%3E") );
$( document ).one( 'ready', function() { $( "#video_container-480231" ).SNPlayer( { bc_account_id: "1704050871", bc_player_id: "JCdte3tMv", //autoplay: true, //is_has_autoplay_switch: false, bc_videos: 6371693587112, is_has_continuous_play: "false", adserverurl: adServerUrl, section: "", thumbnail: "https://www.sportsnet.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/6371693587112-1024x576.jpg", direct_url: "https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/video/love-playing-here-flames-andersson-discusses-future-in-calgary/" }); });
Offensively, Andersson posted his lowest totals in four seasons with 31 points in 81 games. Making matters worse was the fact 11 of those points came in Calgary’s first eight games, as Andersson recorded 20 points in his final 73 games.
It’s important to note Andersson’s season stands out negatively because of the high level we’ve come to expect. Even in an up-and-down campaign, Andersson still averaged 23:59 of ice time, the second highest mark of his career.
