Slick-skating blueliner has not played since the 2021-22 season while dealing with his mental health issues

Oliver Kylington is due to take a major step forward in his return to playing for the Calgary Flames.

Kylington, who has not played in the NHL since the 2021-22 season while dealing with his mental health, is expected to participate fully in Monday’s practice.

There is no timetable for Kylington to play in the NHL, and it is not expected he will suit up against the St. Louis Blues on Thursday. The team will give the talented defenceman time to integrate back with the team, get up to speed with the pace of play and decide if and when he is ready to resume playing.

Kylington, 26, was assigned to the AHL Calgary Wranglers on Jan. 4 on a conditioning assignment, participated in several practices and played two games, in which he was held without a point and collected four penalty minutes.

Kylington has remained on the long-term injured reserve list.

Kylington, who is in the final season of a two-year, $5-million contract and is due to become an unrestricted free agent, had a breakout 2021-22 season, in which he collected nine goals and 31 points in 71 games. He added one goal and three points in 12 playoff games.

The Flames have a trio of games this week — which includes home clashes against the Columbus Blue Jackets and Chicago Blackhawks — before the all-star break.

After that, they will be back in action on Feb. 6 to begin a four-game road trip.

With a couple of other pending unrestricted free-agent defencemen in Chris Tanev and Noah Hanifin strong possibilities to be traded if they do not re-sign with the Flames, the club could be in need for NHL-calibre defencemen, and Kylington has proven in the past his abilities.

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