The 2024–25 season is beginning to wind down, and we’re seeing the fruits of these players’ labour. There are a few Calgary Flames that deserve some extra recognition. Today, I thought we could take a walk through my nominations for the Calgary Flames’ most improved player.
Honourable mention
Dustin Wolf has been outstanding for the Calgary Flames. It almost feels like a cop out to name him. He spent last season bouncing between the AHL and the Flames, never really finding his footing. Between Jacob Markstrom’s injury and an emergency recall, it never felt like his first 18 games were a true showcase of the Wolfie we were getting.
Wolf was thrown into a chaotic situation and asked to step up right off the bat. He had tall orders for someone with little experience. It felt like he was tossed into the deep end with no life raft in sight.
Here are your nominees
Jonathan Huberdeau – 27 goals, 57 points in 70 GP
Huberdeau’s consistent efforts this season have put the Flames in the wild card race. His resurgence has been incredible to watch. Preseason predictions took his last three campaigns into account when they declared this Flames team a bottom-feeder.
There is a chance that Huberdeau hits 30 goals this season. He’s currently at 27, with 12 games remaining. This officially marks his most productive season as a Calgary Flame with a 57-point season. Huberdeau also recently celebrated his 900th career game played.
Being the highest-paid player on the team at $10.5M, you fully expect a player to consistently hit that 85–90+ point mark. Unfortunately, Huberdeau’s offence in Calgary has fallen flat. He has yet to crack even 60 points. Is this season what he needed to officially get his groove back?
Matt Coronato – 20 goals, 39 points in 65 GP
Matt Coronato has had something to prove all season long. From starting the season as a 13th forward to being re-assigned to the Calgary Wranglers. He knew he had to play better hockey if he wanted to stick around. Coronato answered the call. He has shown up in moments that matter, whether it’s an overtime winner or smooth success on the power play. Coronato has recorded three game-winning goals. Clutch Coronato?
His skating and stamina were two concerns that he had to address. He spent the summer working with the Flames’ skating coach to iron out some of those kinks. Coronato has come leaps and bounds in those skills since his first NHL game. Now, with 100 games under his belt, I think it’s safe to say there is no slowing the “Bison” down.
Coronato recorded his first 20-goal season this year. He is the third Flame to hit the 20-goal threshold this season.
Connor Zary – 13 goals, 26 points in 53 GP
Connor Zary’s rookie campaign consisted of 14 goals and 34 points in 63 games. He came in and made an impression amongst fans and management. Zary scored a number of clutch goals or put the finishing touch on a teammate’s shot. He was the burst of energy and offence the lineup needed.
His efforts have continued into this season. He has rotated through the lineup as a centre or wing and has seen success at both. Zary missed some time due to a lower-body injury suffered against the Anaheim Ducks in January. He jumped back into the lineup and didn’t miss a beat.
And the winner is…
Matt Coronato has claimed the title as the most improved Calgary Flame of 2024–25. Playing with a chip on his shoulder has shown all the right people what they were missing. What would the Flames be doing if they didn’t have Coronato’s quick hands and shot?
Coronato may be on his way to being the “game-breaker” the Calgary Flames have been missing since the departures of Matthew Tkachuk and Johnny Gaudreau.
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