The Flames moved three youngsters to the AHL Wranglers heading into their bye week but more transactions are expected as NHL trade deadline approaches
Not every member of the Calgary Flames gets to enjoy the extended break of the bye week and NHL All-Star weekend.
The Flames made some moves right after their shutout win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday, shipping Matt Coronato, Adam Klapka and Cole Schwindt to the American Hockey League’s Calgary Wranglers.
So while the regulars are set to heal up at home, or head out for mini vacations, the prospects still fighting for NHL spots are going to work on their game in the minors.
You can bet one or more of them will be back, though.
The team activated Martin Pospisil off Injured reserve, but with A.J. Greer’s injury keeping him out for eight weeks and the NHL trade deadline just around the corner, the Calgary Flames are going to need some support from the farm.
It’s expected that at least two of their three big impending unrestricted free agents will be moved at the deadline. Elias Lindholm, who scored the only goal at the Saddledome on Saturday, and Chris Tanev are both on several teams’ wish lists. Noah Hanifin, too, with the big question mark being whether the 27-year-old and the Flames decide to prolong their relationship with a contract extension.
More on that this week, but the belief is that decision will be up to the player.
Tanev is a hugely popular member of the Flames but deserves a shot at a Stanley Cup as age and injuries make every opportunity more valuable.
Lindholm has gone from Selke finalist and 40-goal scorer to a shell of his best self, but some of that may be due to the way he’s dealing with his circumstances.
The youth movement is on pause for now, but reinforcements will rejoin the Flames after the all-star break as they hit the road for four games starting next Tuesday in Boston.
Coronato earned one assist in four games bouncing around the top six and getting some powerplay time on the second squad. Klapka had no points in four games as a member of the fourth line, but did throw his enormous body around. Schwindt was played three games alongside Klapka and had no points but made enough of an impression for the Flames to risk losing Adam Ruzicka to waivers — which they did when the Arizona Coyotes claimed him.
The moves offer the Flames more salary cap savings and they have plenty to spend around the NHL trade deadline, giving them the ability to take back a bad contract for more assets if they get some decent offers.
The Wranglers play Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday before AHL’s All-Star Break.