When Marek Hrivik elected to sign with the Calgary Flames organization in free agency, it wasn't because he wanted to spend his time playing in a warm weather city like Stockton.
He wants to play in the NHL, and he made that quite clear during a recent interview with NHL.com.
"I had a bunch of teams interested but I thought I had the best chance in Calgary and that's why I signed there....
Whether he sticks in Calgary or is assigned back to the AHL, in Stockton, will be determined at Flames' training camp, opening mid-September.
"There are bunch of guys in a similar position as I am, I'd say, for a fourth-line spot,'' Hrivik reasons. "Money-wise, age-wise. So I think it's going to be a decent battle.
Hrivik is right. He is battling with a lot of young, cheap, unproven players in Spencer Foo, Curtis Lazar, Garnet Hathaway, Freddie Hamilton and Mark Jankowski, among others, and is in a place where he has a realistic shot of sticking.
Some of those guys are more likely to make the team than others -- the Flames invested a 2nd rounder into Lazar and Jankowski was spectacular at the AHL level last season -- but if Hrivik deserves a spot, he'll get one, be it on the 4th line or as a rotational player.
Based on last year's numbers, it certainly wouldn't be a surprise if he outperforms a few of those guys.
Hrivik was second to only Freddie Hamilton in individual shots and chances per 60 and by far the best of the bunch in possession. He wasn't spoon fed offensive zone starts, and the Rangers aren't a strong possession team, so it's not like all he had to do is step on the ice to garner positive results.
If Hrivik is given the fair shot he thought he was getting when he signed in Calgary, he could very well crack the 23-man roster.
Recent posts: Are the Flames eyeing Jagr?