The Flames summoned forward Adam Klapka from AHL Calgary on Friday, per a team announcement. Defenseman Yan Kuznetsov is headed back to the minors after being summoned earlier this week to practice with the club in a corresponding transaction. They have 22 players on the active roster but will have 21 after Tyson Barrie clears waivers or is claimed.
Klapka, 24, had been up with the Flames for a couple of weeks prior to the 4 Nations break. The massive 6’8″, 235-lb right-winger made the opening night roster but has been shuttled between leagues on a few occasions since, only suiting up in 12 NHL contests this season. He’s got a goal, a plus-one rating, 15 PIMs, and 16 shots in those appearances while averaging a paltry 8:12 per game. His career NHL games played tally is now at 18 after suiting up six times for the Flames last year.
An undrafted free agent signing out of the Czech Extraliga in 2022, Klapka is now in his third season in the Flames organization. Most of that time has been spent with the AHL’s Wranglers, where he’s emerged as a strong scoring threat with 47-49–96 in 156 career games. The power forward has upped his game this year, recording 25 points and 50 PIMs through 31 minor-league appearances. His 13 goals are tied for fourth on the club despite spending a good chunk of time on the NHL roster.
He should continue getting some looks in a fourth-line role, although playing time will be harder to come by with Connor Zary widely expected to come off injured reserve before Sunday’s game against the Sharks. If that’s the case, he projects to serve as the 13th forward for that contest while Martin Pospisil skates with Ryan Lomberg and Kevin Rooney on the fourth line.
Kuznetsov heads back after being recalled along with Ilya Solovyov earlier in the week. The latter remains on the roster, but his inclusion in the lineup this weekend is dependent on the health of Rasmus Andersson and Kevin Bahl. Andersson may join the list of players returning from the 4 Nations Face-Off who are getting rest this weekend, while Bahl remains on injured reserve for the time being with the upper-body injury he sustained late last month.