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Death, taxes, and the Calgary Flames signing former Vancouver Canucks.
Having already brought in Jacob Markstrom and Chris Tanev this off-season, GM Brad Treliving went back to the well and added another former ‘Nuck to the mix in free agency.
This time around it was depth shooter Josh Leivo putting pen to paper on a deal to play with the Flames, the third Canadian team he’s been a part of since becoming an NHLer.
It is a one-year contract worth $875K. Leivo is the third forward to sign in Calgary over the last few days (Joakim Nordstrom and Dominik Simon were the others).
I’m not at all surprised to see the Flames stocking up and making these low-risk gambles. Their bottom-6, as we all know, was widely inconsistent last season. Other than some good hockey in the playoffs, when Sam Bennett woke up, the Flames got almost nothing from their depth up front.
I’m not a big Nordstrom fan but I think Simon and Leivo, especially, will help provide more pop in that group.
Leivo has experience playing up and down the lineup. He’s nothing special, per se, but he can hang in the top-6 if he is 3rd wheeling with a couple of quality players. He is also capable of producing and taking advantage of the softer matchups that come with playing a depth role.
There isn’t a clear spot in the lineup that screams he should slot there, however, I am a firm believer in adding as much talent as you can and figuring out the rest later.
Injuries always pop up and we’re heading for a grueling, condensed season. Teams will need a lot of bodies so the more quality depth pieces you have, the better off you’ll be.
The Flames are smart to pile ‘em up.
Recent posts:
Flames make smart gamble on Dominik Simon
Flames sign Andrew Mangiapane to two-year bridge deal
Flames make risky bet on Chris Tanev
Flames sign Jacob Markstrom to long-term deal
Are the Flames ready to move on from Noah Hanifin?
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