Yan Kuznetsov pre-dates the Calgary Wranglers days, appearing in his first professional games with the Stockton Heat in the modified 2020-21 season. With time in the AHL in the four seasons following that and an NHL game to his name, he is looking to make that next push in his career. Coming at 19th spot in FlamesNation’s 2025 summer prospect rankings is Yan Kuznetsov.

Yan Kuznetsov

Defenceman, Shoots Left
Born March 9, 2002 (age 23) in Murmansk, Russia
6’5”, 220 lbs
Drafted in the second round (50th overall) by the Calgary Flames in the 2020 NHL Draft. 

Yan Kuznetsov first came to North America in the 2018-19 season to play with the Sioux Falls Stampede. Between some of his international junior play for Russia, he played 34 games with the Stampede and recorded four assists. 

The next two seasons, he played at the University of Connecticut in the NCAA. In his freshman year, he played in 34 games, picking up two goals and nine assists. The following year, he played in 16 games and put up a goal and five assists. That same year is when he debuted with the Stockton Heat and played in six games. 

The following season, he came to Canada and played in the QMJHL for the Saint John Sea Dogs and put up 13 points in 25 games. He also played in 12 more Stockton Heat games that season but didn’t register any points. When the AHL team moved to Calgary, Kuznetsov came along for the ride. He played his first full season in the AHL in 2022-23 playing in 63 games and registering 19 points (5G, 14A) for the Wranglers.

The next season, he played in the same number of games and had a slightly lower stat line with five goals and eight assists to make up a total of 13 points. That same year, he made his NHL debut with the Calgary Flames on Jan. 9, 2024, against the Ottawa Senators. He had just under 12 minutes of ice time in this game and finished with a -1 rating. 

This previous season. He was exclusively with the Wranglers and was the only player on the team to play in all 72 games. He finished the regular season putting up career numbers with six goals and 15 assists. His point totals were up to 21 points and his plus/minus rating was the highest on the team by far with +21. 

FlamesNation’s managing editor, Ryan Pike, shared his evaluation on Kuznetsov saying:

“One of the most reliable blueliners on the Wranglers roster, Kuznetsov was tasked with helping ease 19-year-old Hunter Brzustewicz into professional hockey in 2024-25. It’s hard to imagine it going much better than it did, with Kuznetsov’s steady-eddie tendencies allowing Brzustewicz to adapt and adjust as his on-ice comfort grew. Kuznetsov’s offensive game isn’t anything to write home about, but he’s reliable, consistent and the best kind of predictable in the defensive zone. He was probably the Wranglers’ best all-around blueliner last season and could push for an NHL gig this fall.”

Expectations for 2025-26

Yan Kuznetsov has been patient and reliable in the Flames’ system and has earned a good look with the big club. Depending on how he comes out of the summer, there may or may not be an opportunity for him to put in some NHL time right off the hop. Otherwise, between him, Ilya Solovyov and Hunter Brzustewicz, there are plenty of solid prospects who can push for a spot or be on the shortlist when an injury or situation calls for it. 

If his journey to the Flames is not immediate, he will still be a consistent piece of the Wranglers’ blue line and help continue the development journey of Brzustewicz and lead by example for the other fresh faces who join the team. 

It doesn’t feel like Kuznetsov will go from one NHL game to a full season with the Flames, but this could very well be the season he splits time between leagues. In the AHL, he’ll be playing top minutes and putting in quite a bit of time on the penalty kill and other high-danger scenarios. At the NHL, he will hopefully get a run of games on the third pairing to show his stuff and make a case to stay there longer term.

Kuznetsov signed a contract extension last month for a two-year, two-way contract that will convert into a one-way contract in the 2026-27 season. This season has the makings of a breakout season, and it’s up to Kuznetsov to prove where he belongs at this point in his professional career.