NHL Player News

Vanecek stopped 19 of 23 shots in Sunday's 4-1 loss to the Flames.

The Mammoth were a little sloppy in the first period, including Vanecek's own shaky play, and that ended up being the difference. The 30-year-old netminder hadn't played since March 26 versus the Capitals. With the Mammoth locked into a wild-card spot, they may opt to rest Karel Vejmelka ahead of an anticipated heavy workload in the playoffs. Vanecek is at 5-12-3 wit ha 2.93 GAA and an .883 save percentage over 21 appearances this season and hasn't been very effective in the backup role. The Mammoth have two games left on the regular-season slate -- Tuesday versus the Jets and Thursday versus the Blues, both of which are home games.

Suniev registered an assist in Sunday's 4-1 win over the Mammoth.

Suniev is getting an NHL opportunity late in the season to show what he can do at a higher level. This was his first point in four games for the Flames this season, and it was also his first career point. He's added four shots on net and a plus-1 rating. Suniev will likely benefit from more time with AHL Calgary in 2026-27, though he could earn an NHL job with a strong showing in training camp.

Backlund scored a goal on two shots in Sunday's 4-1 win over the Mammoth.

Backlund ended a nine-game goal drought with his third-period marker. The 37-year-old has generally had a good season, but his offense hasn't been able to flourish lately since he's taken on top-line duties following the Flames' deadline trade of Nazem Kadri to the Avalanche. Backlund is at 17 goals, 42 points, 184 shots on net and a plus-8 rating over 80 appearances this year, his most productive campaign in the last three seasons.

Zary scored a goal on three shots in Sunday's 4-1 win over the Mammoth.

This was Zary's first point in six games since he missed five contests due to an upper-body injury to close out March. The 24-year-old forward has struggled throughout the campaign, and that's left him in a bottom-six role late in the year. He's at 12 goals, 25 points, 108 shots on net and a minus-9 rating across 73 appearances.

Coronato scored a goal on three shots and added two PIM in Sunday's 4-1 win over the Mammoth.

Coronato has a point in five straight contests. He got some good fortune Sunday, opening the scoring on a wraparound tuck after Vitek Vanecek misplayed a dump-in. Coronato has 14 points over his last 14 outings and is up to 18 goals, 44 points, 195 shots on net, 32 PIM and a minus-29 rating over 79 appearances. While he's a little behind last year's 24-goal, 47-point pace, he hasn't had a lot of help -- his numbers should improve as the Flames' young players grow into full-time NHL options.

Pachal scored a goal, dished two assists and went plus-2 in Sunday's 4-1 win over the Mammoth.

Pachal had just four assists in 36 games for the whole season prior to this contest. He added helpers on goals by Matthew Coronato and Mikael Backlund before capping the Flames' scoring on a goal midway through the third period. Pachal has played in just five of the last 15 games for the Flames, but he could finish the year in a third-pairing role since injuries have started to stack up on the blue line. He's at seven points, 28 shots on net, 88 hits, 35 blocked shots, 47 PIM and a minus-1 rating over 37 appearances.

Wolf stopped 28 of 29 shots in Sunday's 4-1 win over the Mammoth.

Wolf snapped a three-game slide with this performance, which was his sharpest in a while. The 24-year-old hasn't finished strong, allowing at least four goals in seven of his last 13 appearances, but he has a 6-6-0 record in that span. For the season, Wolf is up to 23-28-3 with a 3.03 GAA and an .897 save percentage across 56 appearances. The Flames' netminder is a risky fantasy option should he start Tuesday versus the Avalanche.

Kreider logged two assists, two PIM and a plus-2 rating in Sunday's 4-3 overtime loss to the Canucks.

Kreider is now 10 games removed from his last goal, supplying six helpers over that span. The 34-year-old winger isn't a leader on offense, but he's chipped in his fair share in a top-six role throughout this campaign. He's at 22 goals, 28 helpers, 138 shots on net, 67 hits, 34 PIM and a minus-4 rating over 74 appearances. Kreider has now reached the 50-point mark in four of the last five seasons.

Carlsson scored a goal on three shots in Sunday's 4-3 overtime loss to the Canucks.

Carlsson's tally at 6:56 of the third period tied the game at 3-3 and forced overtime. The 21-year-old center has five goals over his last seven outings, but he hasn't chipped in an assist in that span. For the season, he's impressed with 29 goals, 66 points, 180 shots on net and a plus-3 rating over 68 appearances. His offense won't keep growing by big chunks year over year, but Carlsson is still young enough to find another level or two before his prime years.

Gauthier scored two goals on four shots and added two hits in Sunday's 4-3 overtime loss to the Canucks.

Gauthier's second goal -- his 40th tally of the season -- came on the power play in the third period and sparked a comeback after Brock Boeser's shorthanded goal put the Canucks up 3-1. The 22-year-old Gauthier missed the previous five games due to an upper-body injury and was limited to 13:47 of ice time in this contest. He's had an impressive breakout year with 40 goals, 67 points, 275 shots on net, 61 hits and a minus-2 rating across 74 appearances. If the Ducks are to make a run in the postseason, Gauthier will likely play a big part in leading their offense.