The blueliner acquired from Vegas in the Noah Hanifin trade looking at top-four minutes and power-play time as the Flames prepare for the Colorado Avalanche
The band on his wrist is from a fundraiser years ago, but the message still resonates with Daniil Miromanov.
On a blue silicone band is the words “I have a purpose”, which Miromanov said he has worn since his days with the QMJHL’s Moncton Wildcats.
Since joining the Calgary Flames in the trade that sent Noah Hanifin to the Vegas Golden Knights, the 26-year-old defenceman’s purpose — at least hockey wise — has been to ignite his career. Certainly he is being given a golden chance. In anticipation of Calgary’s clash with the Colorado Avalanche, Miromanov was paired with MacKenzie Weegar during the morning skate and also was on the top power play unit. For a player with only 31 NHL games to his name, that’s quite the role.
“For me, I try to do my best every single shift and every single rep in practice and just trust the guys, trust the teammates,” Miromanov said. “All the guys are here for a reason and every single guy deserved to play in the NHL, so you try to do your job and trust the guys to do their job.
“I’m grateful for it. It’s been a tough couple of games, but I’m really looking forward towards tonight.”
Although Monday was an off day for the club after a late return to Calgary following Sunday’s road game in Carolina, Miromanov made a point of visiting the Saddledome to get his bearings as much as possible instead of it all being new on a game day. That way his focus could be solely on the clash and building on the first couple of games with his new club.
“Puck play, he’s been pretty good,” coach Ryan Huska said. “He’s made some good plays under pressure. He was the one defenceman in Carolina that I though made some plays, and that’s one of the strengths he has. As he gets playing more, we’ll see the pace of play come up, as well.”
With how the Flames coaching staff must implement a bevy of players, expect to see combinations mixed and matched on a regular basis. Miromanov’s offensive skills in the AHL have yet to translate into the NHL, but it stands to reason giving him a look with Calgary’s man-advantage.
“It seems he has ice in his veins,” Huska said. “He’s very composed with the puck. We want to see more pace in his play with it.”
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