His skill is noteworthy but if it doesn’t translate to the NHL, what does it mean for the Flames rebuild?
Rory Kerins scored three goals and added four assists in two games this weekend. It’s why he was named the AHL Player of the Week, and it’s only a part of what’s been a great season for the young forward. Kerin has 21 goals and 32 assists, and the prospect is one of the bright spots in what’s been a rough season for the Calgary Wranglers.
The catch with Kerins is that his skill doesn’t translate from the American Hockey League to the NHL. For the Calgary Flames, it’s a bad sign as they try to rebuild after tearing things down at the 2026 trade deadline.
Kerins as a Skilled AHLer
Kerins does a lot on the AHL team. He has a great shot and plenty of skill on the offensive end. Kerins also has a burst of speed that makes him tough to defend, and it’s why he can both score and create scoring chances for his linemates.
The problems are everywhere else with him. Kerins doesn’t defend well or have a great hockey IQ to play in the NHL. Moreover, he doesn’t play a physical game, and it’s why the Wranglers sit at the bottom of the Pacific Division (along with their NHL affiliate).
The Flames are hoping that some of these issues are teachable. If the 23-year-old Kerins can develop into a complete player, he can be a valuable part of the rebuild. The Flames need forward talent, and Kerins has the skill to help. The problem is he isn’t a two-way player, and skill alone won’t get him into the NHL and keep him there.
Kerins is Part of the Flames Gamble
The Flames are looking for talent and hoping everything else figures itself out. In fairness, their hands are tied as Calgary isn’t a destination and they won’t attract top free agents (so, they must take their risks elsewhere). The problem for the Flames is that this bet is resulting in another lost season.
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They acquired Brennan Othmann at the NHL trade deadline, hoping the talent would win out. Othmann has the talent to be in the NHL but his struggles to learn the pro game and adapt in different situations are why he never worked out with the New York Rangers or their AHL affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack. The Flames are learning firsthand of his shortcomings as they sent him back to the AHL this week, where he’ll presumably finish the season with the Wranglers.
These forwards aren’t regulars in the NHL but they can still develop into depth forwards at that level. The problem is that they don’t solve the Flames' problems. The Flames need top-end scoring and players who can drive play. Right now, they don’t have them.
How The Flames Piece Together a Successful Rebuild
The Flames built their roster from the net out, with Dustin Wolf being the goaltender they are building around. They have the goaltending to be great, and likewise, the defense is also set for years to come with a handful of young blueliners already on the NHL roster.
The problem is the forward group. They don’t have great forward talent and lack the stars who can take over games. Ideally, a young player like Kerins, Othmann, or Yegor Sharangovich is that but none of them are.
So, the Flames rebuild kicks off with the draft. They must find that game-changing forward, and they should do so with a top-five pick. It’s easier to work from there if the Flames land that elite talent, and if they can’t find one in this draft (which, based on the projections, they should), they must look for one in the coming drafts, which they should find with a top-five pick at some point.