6 Former Flames Still Competing in the Stanley Cup Playoffs

The Calgary Flames may not have made the playoffs this year, but that doesn’t mean their fan base doesn’t have some rooting interest. Not only has this postseason been worth tuning into for the great action alone, but for Flames fans, it’s also featured plenty of familiar faces.

The Flames have six former players still alive as the final eight teams are continuing their quest to hoist the Stanley Cup. Suffice to say, there are several different ways the Flames fan base could go in terms of who they are rooting for the rest of the way. With that said, here are the six Flames alumni who are still battling it out in the postseason.

Rasmus Andersson (Vegas Golden Knights)

One former player Flames fans would really like to see have success is Rasmus Andersson. The 29-year-old was a very valuable member of the organization throughout his 584-game tenure. He was in the midst of a very strong season with the Flames before being dealt to the Vegas Golden Knights in mid-January.

After taking some time to adjust to his new surroundings, Andersson has played a big role for the Golden Knights. Though he’s only registered one assist through seven playoff games, he has averaged north of 24 minutes in ice time, and should continue to play a big role on the back end as he and his teammates look to defeat the Anaheim Ducks and advance to the Western Conference Final.

Noah Hanifin (Vegas Golden Knights)

When Andersson was traded to the Golden Knights, it gave him a chance to reunite with another former Flames defenceman in Noah Hanifin. The 29-year-old was traded from Calgary to the Golden Knights during the 2023-24 season, and has also served as a key member of their blueline.

After putting up a rather disappointing 28 points during the regular season, Hanifin has stepped up his offensive production in the playoffs with five assists through seven outings. He’s playing even more than Andersson, averaging a ridiculous 24:57 thus far in the playoffs.

Nazem Kadri (Colorado Avalanche)

Another player many Flames fans have been rooting on in the playoffs is Nazem Kadri. The 35-year-old was leading the Flames with 41 points before being traded to the Colorado Avalanche at this year’s trade deadline. The move allowed Kadri to rejoin the team he won his first and only Stanley Cup with back in 2022.

Kadri was relatively quiet with the Avalanche to close out the regular season, scoring four goals and nine points in 16 games. He’s continued to produce at a similar rate in the playoffs with a goal and two helpers through six games, though that doesn’t matter a whole lot given how many offensive weapons the Avalanche possess.

Brett Kulak (Colorado Avalanche)

The 2025-26 season has been chaotic for Brett Kulak, to say the least. After a lengthy stint with the Edmonton Oilers, he was traded alongside Stuart Skinner to the Pittsburgh Penguins in December. His stint with the Penguins wound up lasting just 25 games, as he was flipped once again at the trade deadline to the Avalanche.

Kulak, who had a big role for the Oilers in each of their trips to the Stanley Cup Final, has continued to play big minutes, averaging north of 21 minutes for the Avalanche through six playoff outings. He’s come a long way since departing the Flames organization after the 2017-18 campaign.

Mark Jankowski (Carolina Hurricanes)

After spending some time in the American Hockey League (AHL) for three years between 2021 and 2024, Mark Jankowski has become an everyday NHLer once again since joining the Carolina Hurricanes late in the 2024-25 campaign. He managed 11 goals and 21 points through 68 games this regular season.

Jankowski has skated in all six Hurricanes playoff games thus far, registering one assist. Though the 31-year-old never turned into the player Flames fans had hoped when he was taken 21st overall in 2012, he’s found a way to be a useful bottom-six forward for the ‘Canes.

Garnet Hathaway (Philadelphia Flyers)

Last but not least is Garnet Hathaway, who has carved out an impressive 672-game career to date. It’s quite a feat for a player who has played a bottom-six role the entire way. That, of course, began with the Flames, who Hathaway spent 175 games with spanning from 2016 to 2019.

Hathaway had a rough 2025-26 campaign in what was his third season with the Philadelphia Flyers, scoring just one goal and three points through 66 games. Despite the rough season, however, he’s suited up for six of the eight Flyers playoff outings, where he’s chipped in with a goal and an assist.

Plenty of Teams to Pick From

While it’s not anywhere near as exciting as being able to root on your own team, the fact that there are still six former Flames on four different teams gives fans in Calgary plenty of options in regards to where their allegiance lies over the coming weeks. Based on what these playoffs have provided so far, those tuning in should expect to see some great action as these final eight teams battle it out in hopes of winning the Stanley Cup.