The Calgary Flames are narrowing their roster, this time sending a group of players back to the AHL, including Hunter Brzustewicz.
The Calgary Flames announced on Thursday that they have made a handful of roster cuts, assigning Jonathan Aspirot, Clark Bishop, Hunter Brzustewicz, Martin Frk, Justin Kirkland and Sam Morton to the Calgary Wranglers of the AHL.
The roster is now down to 30 players. Interestingly, Sam Honzek, who is having a tremendous preseason, remains with the club.
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The biggest surprise of the group might be the demotion of Hunter Brzustewicz. He has been fantastic for the Flames in the preseason, showing off his skating and puck-moving abilities. Ultimately, the organization has decided that his lack of experience means that more seasoning is required before making the jump full-time. He'll likely get power-play minutes with the Wranglers and when he's ready and arguably over-ripened, he'll get another look.
Aspirot and Bishop were returned to the Wranglers after being recalled on Wednesday. Aspirot, 26, is starting his sixth pro season in the AHL. After four years with Belleville, he joined the Calgary Wranglers in 2023-24 and re-signed on July 3 to a two-way deal ($775K/$140K), keeping him in Calgary’s system for another year.
Bishop, 28, last played in the NHL during 2021-22 with Ottawa and has 47 career games between the Senators and Hurricanes. The former fifth-round pick is entering his third season with the Flames, posting 22 points and 72 PIMs in 57 games for the Wranglers last year.
Martin Frk scored a goal in the Flames' loss to the Winnipeg Jets on Wednesday. After the game, he said, "I think, overall, it was pretty good. Good learning and good experience for us, with younger guys."
Justin Kirkland had five points in three preseason games. Undrafted 25-year-old Sam Morton impressed in his first pro season, scoring five goals and seven points in 13 games for the Wranglers.
Tyson Barrie remains at camp on a professional tryout, having survived another round of cuts. The veteran defenseman appears to be nearing a contract offer.