The Calgary Flames have their leadership group to supplement new captain Mikael Backlund for the 2023-24 season, reports Sportsnet’s Eric Francis. Defenseman Rasmus Andersson, left wing Jonathan Huberdeau, center Elias Lindholm, and defenseman Chris Tanev will rotate in and out of the two alternate captain spots per game throughout the campaign.
Flames Rumors
Training Camp Cuts: 10/7/23
While teams have considerably whittled down their rosters compared to where they were just a weekend ago, there are still plenty more cuts to be made in the coming days. Here are today’s roster trimmings excluding earlier waiver placements.
Buffalo Sabres (via team Twitter)
D Ryan Johnson (to Rochester, AHL)
F Lukas Rousek (to Rochester, AHL)
Calgary Flames (via team release)
D Nick DeSimone (to Calgary, AHL)
F Mathias Emilio Pettersen (to Calgary, AHL)
F Martin Pospisil (to Calgary, AHL)
Carolina Hurricanes (per team release)
G Yaniv Perets (to Norfolk, ECHL)
Columbus Blue Jackets (per team release)
D Marcus Bjork (to Cleveland, AHL)
D Jake Christiansen (to Cleveland, AHL)
F Joshua Dunne (to Cleveland, AHL)
F Brendan Gaunce (to Cleveland, AHL)
F Carson Meyer (to Cleveland, AHL)
D Billy Sweezey (to Cleveland, AHL)
Dallas Stars (via team Twitter)
D Alexander Petrovic (to Texas, AHL)
Detroit Red Wings (via team Twitter)
F Austin Czarnik (to Grand Rapids, AHL)
F Timothy Gettinger (to Grand Rapids, AHL)
F Taro Hirose (to Grand Rapids, AHL)
G John Lethemon (to Toledo, ECHL)
D Jared McIsaac (to Grand Rapids, AHL)
D Wyatt Newpower (to Grand Rapids, AHL)
D Brogan Rafferty (to Grand Rapids, AHL)
F Nolan Stevens (to Grand Rapids, AHL)
Nashville Predators (per ESPN’s John Buccigross)
D Marc Del Gaizo (to Milwaukee, AHL)
New Jersey Devils (via team Twitter)
D Santeri Hatakka (to Utica, AHL)
G Isaac Poulter (to Utica, AHL)
New York Rangers (per team Twitter)
F Jonny Brodzinski (to Hartford, AHL)
D Ben Harpur (to Hartford, AHL)
Philadelphia Flyers (via team Twitter)
F Wade Allison (to Lehigh Valley, AHL)
San Jose Sharks (via team Twitter)
F Ryan Carpenter (to San Jose, AHL)
F Oskar Lindblom (to San Jose, AHL)
F Quentin Musty (to Sudbury, OHL)
F Jacob Peterson (to San Jose, AHL)
Seattle Kraken (per team Twitter)
D Ryker Evans (to Coachella Valley, AHL)
F Shane Wright (to Coachella Valley, AHL)
Washington Capitals (per team Twitter)
F Nicolas Aube-Kubel (to Hershey, AHL)
G Mitchell Gibson (to Hershey, AHL)
F Alex Limoges (to Hershey, AHL)
D Dylan McIlrath (to Hershey, AHL)
F Joe Snively (to Hershey, AHL)
F Michael Sgarbossa (to Hershey, AHL)
G Hunter Shepard (to Hershey, AHL)
This post will be updated throughout the day.
Latest On Cole Schwindt
- Forecasting the Calgary Flames’ depth chart after the team underwent serious training camp roster cutdowns, The Athletic’s Julian McKenzie reports that there could be a new face handling fourth-line center duties for the Flames this fall. (subscription link) McKenzie writes that 22-year-old 2019 third-round pick Cole Schwindt “has that fourth-line centre spot by default,” as despite Schwindt not being “that impressive, or noticeable, at camp” he remains a preferred option for the role over Dryden Hunt and Walker Duehr, two natural wingers. It would be a major opportunity for Schwindt, who arrived in Calgary as part of the blockbuster Matthew Tkachuk–Jonathan Huberdeau trade. He’s scored decently well in the AHL, (72 points in his last 142 games) which could give the Flames confidence that he will be able to hold down an NHL role.
All Parties Involved Sign Off On New Flames Arena Deal
- All parties involved have now officially signed off on a new arena deal for the Calgary Flames that was originally approved in April, according to multiple members of the Calgary media pool. Sportsnet’s Eric Francis reported Wednesday that a rather significant announcement was coming on the arena front today, and he wasn’t wrong – as part of this approved agreement, the Flames will open up their new home with a 35-year lease to keep the team in Alberta. Construction will begin on the site next year, and is anticipated to be NHL-ready for the 2026-27 campaign, meaning the Flames have three seasons left (including this one) at the historic Scotiabank Saddledome.
Waivers: 10/05/23
Another set of familiar and intriguing players are set to hit the waiver wire this afternoon, with the Seattle Kraken containing the most quantity of any organization. Per James Mirtle of The Athletic, the entire list is as follows:
Calgary Flames
D Nick DeSimone
F Mathias Emilio Pettersen
F Martin Pospisil
Pittsburgh Penguins
F Andreas Johnsson
F Joona Koppanen
F Alexander Nylander
Seattle Kraken
D Connor Carrick
F Cameron Hughes
F Kole Lind
F Max McCormick
D Gustav Olofsson
F Andrew Poturalski
D Mitch Reinke
D Jimmy Schuldt
F Devin Shore
F Marian Studenic
Training Camp Cuts: 10/05/23
Less than a week away from the opening night of the 2023-24 NHL season, teams continue to make roster cuts in an effort to finalize their official roster heading into the year. As always, we’ll track roster moves here.
Calgary Flames (via a team release)
F Lucas Ciona (to Calgary, AHL)
D Yan Kuznetsov (to Calgary, AHL)
D Jeremie Poirier (to Calgary, AHL)
G Dustin Wolf (to Calgary, AHL)
F Connor Zary (to Calgary, AHL)
Colorado Avalanche (via a team release)
F Brandon Kozun (released from PTO)
F Joel Kiviranta (released from PTO)
F Jason Polin (to Colorado, AHL)
Columbus Blue Jackets (via Aaron Portzline/The Athletic)
D Tim Berni (released from PTO)
G Pavel Cajan (to Cleveland, AHL)
D Corson Ceulemans (to Cleveland, AHL)
G Aaron Dell (released from PTO)
D Stanislav Svozil (to Cleveland, AHL)
Minnesota Wild (via a team release)
D Daemon Hunt (to Iowa, AHL)
Nashville Predators (via a team release)
F Mark Jankowski (to Milwaukee, AHL)
New Jersey Devils (via a team release)
G Jeremy Brodeur (to Utica, AHL)
Ottawa Senators (via a team release)
F Tyler Boucher (to Belleville, AHL)
Pittsburgh Penguins (via a team release)
F Avery Hayes (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL)
F Rem Pitlick (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL)
F Samuel Poulin (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL)
F Valtteri Puustinen (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL)
D Xavier Ouellet (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL)
D Ty Smith (to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL)
Seattle Kraken (via a team release)
D Connor Carrick (to Coachella Valley, AHL) pending waiver clearance
F Luke Henman (to Coachella Valley, AHL)
F Cameron Hughes (to Coachella Valley, AHL) pending waiver clearance
F Kole Lind (to Coachella Valley, AHL) pending waiver clearance
F Max McCormick (to Coachella Valley, AHL) pending waiver clearance
D Gustav Olofsson (to Coachella Valley, AHL) pending waiver clearance
F Ville Petman (to Coachella Valley, AHL)
F Andrew Poturalski (to Coachella Valley, AHL) pending waiver clearance
D Mitch Reinke (to Coachella Valley, AHL) pending waiver clearance
D Jimmy Schuldt (to Coachella Valley, AHL) pending waiver clearance
D Peetro Seppala (to Coachella Valley, AHL)
F Devin Shore (to Coachella Valley, AHL) pending waiver clearance
G Ales Stezka (to Coachella Valley, AHL)
F Marian Studenic (to Coachella Valley, AHL) pending waiver clearance
Winnipeg Jets (via a team release)
F Henri Nikkanen (to Manitoba, AHL)
D Elias Salomonsson (to Skelleftea, SHL)
This page will be updated throughout the day
Samuel Honzek Out Day-To-Day With An Undisclosed Injury
The longer 2023 first-round pick Samuel Honzek sticks with the Calgary Flames through their preseason, the more likely it becomes that he receives, at the very least, a nine-game trial in the NHL to begin the season. Especially after Calgary Flames winger Jakob Pelletier was lost to a long-term injury, there could be room for Honzek in new head coach Ryan Huska’s forward lineup. But now, the possibility of Honzek making Huska’s opening-night lineup could be in question. CapFriendly wrote on X that Honzek “left last night’s game with an undisclosed injury. He’s considered day-to-day.”
Pacific Notes: Whitecloud, Karlsson, Canucks, Flames
The Vegas Golden Knights are grappling with uncertainty surrounding the availability of defenseman Zach Whitecloud for their opening night banner-raising against the Seattle Kraken next Tuesday. Head coach Bruce Cassidy, during a press conference Wednesday, expressed hesitance to confirm Whitecloud’s participation in the season opener.
Cassidy said that until Zach is on the ice, he can’t say he expects him to play. Whitecloud, a key depth piece for the Golden Knights, has been dealing with an undisclosed issue that has kept him off the ice during preseason activities for around a week. The 26-year-old missed significant time last season with injury, playing 59 out of 82 games and recording 12 points and a +10 rating. When healthy, he’s expected to resume his usual role on the team’s third pairing behind Alex Pietrangelo and Shea Theodore on the team’s right side.
Elsewhere in the Pacific Division today:
- Sticking with Vegas, they’re also dealing with a day-to-day injury to center William Karlsson that is not expected to stretch into the regular season. Cassidy said he’s been dealing with an undisclosed issue throughout training camp to date and that he will not play in tomorrow’s preseason contest against the Colorado Avalanche. Karlsson played a crucial role in the Knights’ run to the 2023 Stanley Cup, recording 11 goals and 17 points in 22 games. His 53 points last season were his highest since 2018-19, his sophomore campaign with Vegas, after potting 43 goals in the 2017-18 season.
- The Vancouver Canucks are bringing in some reinforcements, recalling multiple players from the AHL’s Abbotsford Canucks today. Goaltender Arturs Silovs, defenseman Filip Johansson, and forwards Arshdeep Bains, Linus Karlsson, Aatu Räty, and Max Sasson will be available to the team for tonight’s preseason contest against the Seattle Kraken. All will likely get returned to the minors tomorrow after being cut from Canucks camp earlier this week.
- Sportsnet’s Eric Francis believes a “significant announcement” regarding a new arena for the Calgary Flames could come tomorrow. Plans for a new home to replace the aging Scotiabank Saddledome are already well underway, with their ownership group and the Alberta government reaching a preliminary agreement for a new arena after the end of last season. The provincial government also greenlit the first C$39MM dedicated to the project last month.
Flames’ Kevin Rooney Out Long-Term After Shoulder Surgery
In addition to confirming young winger Jakob Pelletier underwent successful surgery today as planned, the Calgary Flames announced that forward Kevin Rooney also underwent a shoulder procedure and is out for the foreseeable future without a specific return timeline. Rooney will almost certainly begin the season on injured or long-term injured reserve, with the 2023-24 campaign commencing in six days.
Rooney sustained the shoulder injury in practice last Sunday after sliding awkwardly into the boards. Flames head coach Ryan Huska confirmed this morning, prior to Calgary’s announcement, that Rooney would be out longer-term.
It’s a disappointing start for Rooney, who was looking to regain traction in Calgary entering the second season of a two-year, $2.6MM contract. Initially expected to play a pivotal role on the team’s fourth line last season, Rooney fell far short of expectations and played just 17 contests for the Flames, posting just one assist. It earned him a demotion to the AHL’s Calgary Wranglers, where he played out the majority of the season. Things didn’t go much better for him there, as he posted just 17 points in 51 regular-season contests on one of the AHL’s best teams. His $1.3MM cap hit was not fully buriable in the minors, resulting in a $175K cap charge for the Flames while he was buried with the Wranglers.
Rooney had looked better coming into this season’s training camp, but today’s news means he won’t be on the opening night roster. That’s especially unfortunate, given Rooney was actually projected to start the season as the team’s fourth-line center – the team lost some minor depth this summer due to cap constraints. Instead, a younger centerman like 22-year-old Cole Schwindt (acquired from Florida in the Jonathan Huberdeau/Matthew Tkachuk blockbuster) or 2020 first-round pick Connor Zary could get a crack at centering the team’s fourth line to start the season.
If Rooney will be out long enough to qualify for LTIR, that could allow Calgary to carry an expanded roster to start the season. The team’s delicate cap situation was projected to force them to carry the bare minimum of 20 skaters to start the season, but with Rooney (and Pelletier) on LTIR, they could afford a pair of healthy extras to kick off the campaign.
Latest On Elias Lindholm, Noah Hanifin
Eric Francis joined Sportsnet’s Big Show with Rusic and Rose podcast and provided updates on some of the Calgary Flames’ biggest extension rumors. Francis shared, most notably, that the return to training camp has provided top center Elias Lindholm with a newfound energy to get a deal done. This increased motivation was also seen in negotiations with Mikael Backlund, who recently signed a contract extension and received the team’s captaincy. Francis shared that the new excitement could see Lindholm signing an extension as soon as the start of the regular season.
However, Francis didn’t share that optimism on Noah Hanifin’s looming contract extension. He shared with the Sportsnet crew that Hanifin is close friends with Matthew Tkachuk – his former teammate with the USNTDP and the Flames – who left Calgary for an exciting life in Florida. Francis said that Hanifin is drawn by the idea of moving to America as a result, drawing a line in the sand for talks of a new deal in Calgary.
These updates could leave Calgary with a locked-in top-line center, but without their top defender, entering the 2024-25 campaign. Their ability to replace Hanifin will likely depend on how much Lindholm demands on a new deal, with Francis sharing that he may be able to receive a salary around, or above, $9MM on the open market. A discount may be needed to keep him with a Flames lineup that currently has 11 players set to become free agents next summer, although Lindholm is still sure to get a significant raise from his current $4.85MM cap hit. The Flames are currently projected to have $30.95MM in cap space next summer, with notable players like Lindholm, Hanifin, Chris Tanev, and Nikita Zadorov all needing new deals. What space they can find in that budget to add new talents to the roster will be worth monitoring.