Ice time and game action will benefit the rookie winger in a season marred by two injuries
As much as Calgary Flames would love to integrate Jakob Pelletier back into the lineup on a full-time basis as they try to remain in the playoff fight, the club made the right move Tuesday by re-assigning the affable rookie left winger to the AHL Wranglers.
Pelletier, who has been through a rough season due to a couple of injuries, had been scratched the past couple of Flames game. A return to the Wranglers will allow the 23-year-old first-round pick (2019) to log big minutes for the AHL squad that has a busy next couple of weeks, starting with Tuesday night’s clash against the Bakersfield Condors at the Saddledome. The Wranglers will also benefit from having Pelletier in the fold. He collected two goals and three points during a four-game stint at the end of January.
Pelletier, in his third pro season, was expected to make the Flames roster to start the campaign, but was on the receiving end of a hit from behind by Seattle Kraken farmhand Marian Studenic in his first pre-season game and required shoulder surgery. Pelletier returned to the Flames in early February, but in his fourth NHL game was drilled by Jacob Trouba of the New York Rangers, which cost him another four games.
Pelletier understandably struggled to find his form afterward. In 13 NHL contests this season, he collected one goal and two assists. With rookie forward Connor Zary expected back soon, maybe as early as Saturday’s road game against the Vancouver Canucks, it would add another player ahead of Pelletier on the current depth chart.
Don’t be surprised if the Flames also send goaltender Dustin Wolf to the Wranglers by Saturday, with number-one netminder Jacob Markstrom expected back from injury in time to face the Canucks. Wolf, who has played well during his recent stint, was summoned on an emergency basis, so he must be re-assigned upon Markstrom's return.
The Wranglers — who sit seventh in the Pacific Division, three points out of fourth spot — also face the Condors on Wednesday before a road trip to face the Ontario Reign on Friday and Sunday. The Wranglers return home for four games in six days next week, and finish the regular season April 20.
