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1) The Calgary Flames may still re-sign Jakub Nakladal, or bring in another veteran presence on the back end, but for the most part their defense core is set for the 2016-17 season.
Assuming all defensemen on the roster remain and the Flames don't carry eight blue liners, which is possible but unlikely, there is only one spot open on defense.
One guy who could potentially fill that vacancy is Brett Kulak.
The 22-year-old blue liner is not a guy that has a lot of flare or will put up big numbers but he has been a pretty reliable option in Stockton and has shown well in limited viewings with the big club.
In nine games with the Flames over the last two seasons they have controlled 56% of the shot attempts with Kulak on the ice. His goals for total in that limited span was not good (33%) but his expected goals for% was in the same ball park as his possession numbers at a solid 53.4%.
With with just 115 minutes of 5 v 5 ice to his name the sample size is very small but the results have been encouraging; especially given who he has shared the ice with.
His most frequent defense partner was Deryk Engelland while the forward he spent the most time on the ice with was Brandon Bollig. Both players are anchors when it comes to controlling play.
That Kulak has posted such impressive totals, albeit over a small period of time, is impressive.
He'll probably get a long look at camp.
2) Rasmus Andersson, who I am extremely high on, and Oliver Kylington will probably get longer looks this season as well but I don't think either will crack the team's opening night roster.
Andersson's on-ice results with Barrie have been extremely encouraging but the team still has some concerns about his weight/conditioning. If those concerns are valid, which I can't speak to, he probably isn't ready to play in the NHL on a nightly basis even if skill wise he is. I assume he'll at least start the season in Stockton.
Kylington had a pretty good debut season in Stockton but he is still pretty raw and could use some more seasoning. He needs to bulk up a little more, too.
Defense is Calgary's strongest position organizationally so there is no need to rush these players if they are not yet ready and I don't think GM Brad Treliving is someone who would do that. They may be Flames sooner than later but, as things stand now, I don't expect either player to make the team out of camp.
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