On Sunday the Calgary Flames brought the hammer down and cut 15 players from their camp roster.
Kenny Agostino, Bill Arnold, Ryan Culkin, Jon Gillies, Keegan Kanzig, Morgan Klimchuk, Oliver Kylington, Kenney Morrison, Emile Poirier, Blair Riley, Pat Sieloff, and Bryce Van Brabant were assigned to AHL Stockton while forwards Turner Elson and Derek Grant were placed on waivers.
The Flames also sent 18-year-old defenseman Rasmus Andersson back to Barrie (OHL).
Some thoughts:
- There aren't too many surprises in that group. The Flames wanted to give some of their kids up front - notably Morgan Klimchuk and Emile Poirier - a good look but the team simply has too many bodies in front of them. There are a ton of forwards on one-way deals so in order to make the team a guy like Poirier would have to completely outplay guys in front of him on the depth chart. So much so that GM Brad Treliving would be comfortable moving a body or waiving one to make room. That obviously didn't happen and that's OK. Klimchuk and Poirier could benefit from some more seasoning in the AHL.
- Oliver Kylington had a pretty good camp and has been playing against men in Sweden for years so I think sending him to Stockton is the right move. If he can't handle it I believe he could always be reassigned to Brandon (WHL) but I doubt that will be necessary. Kylington has the skating ability and puck skills to survive against men while playing as a teenager.
- I'm surprised the Flames didn't keep Andersson around a little longer. I think another year of development in Barrie is definitely the way to go but Bob Hartley seems sky high on Andersson so I figured he'd stick around at least another couple games before the Flames finally returned him to junior. Andersson will join fellow Flames prospect Andrew Mangiapane and the already 2-0-0 Barrie Colts.
- Speaking of Mangiapane he's off to a scorching hot start as he has three goals, five points and 11 shots on goal in two winning efforts. It's probably safe to say he'll finish top-5 in league scoring if he stays healthy.
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