Headlines

Go To MLB Trade Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Flames Rumors

Calgary Flames Sign Dillon Dube

at CDT | by 1 Comment

The Calgary Flames have signed restricted free agent forward Dillon Dube to a three-year contract. The deal will carry an average annual value of $2.3MM, leaving him an arbitration-eligible RFA in 2024. Pat Steinberg of Sportnet reports that Dube will earn $2.2MM in 2021-22, $2.3MM in 2022-23 and $2.4MM in 2023-24.

It’s been a busy week for Flames GM Brad Treliving, working his way through a long list of restricted free agents in Calgary. He has now signed Juuso Valimaki, Nikita Zadorov, Justin Kirkland, Glenn Gawdin, and Dube in the last few days, leaving just Connor Mackey to negotiate with. While Kirkland and Gawdin are still depth options, the same can’t really be said about Dube, who has worked his way into a full-time role with the Flames over the last two seasons. The 23-year-old recorded 11 goals and 22 points in 51 games for the team this season, averaging 13:38 of ice time.

That’s not a huge role, but this new contract secures him as a fixture in the lineup for the next several years. Originally selected 556th overall in 2016 as a center, he never really has been given an opportunity to play in the middle for Calgary. It will be interesting to follow Flames training camp to see how the lineup shakes out under head coach Darryl Sutter given the influx of gritty, physical presences. The team added Blake Coleman, Tyler Pitlick, and Trevor Lewis to the mix, all three of whom are likely better suited in the bottom six. If Dube, who has built up his two-way game, can find a home on one of the top two lines, there’s a good chance he produces a lot more offense than a $2.3MM contract usually warrants.

Even if he doesn’t take another significant step forward offensively, a $2.3MM cap hit doesn’t pose much risk for the Flames. As long as Dube can keep himself in the lineup, providing solid defensive play, there shouldn’t be many complaints from the Calgary faithful. There’s room for upside in a deal like this, which is key for a team like the Flames that are trying to find their way in the Pacific Division.

Calgary Flames Sign Glenn Gawdin, Justin Kirkland

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

The Calgary Flames have inked a pair of depth forwards, signing Glenn Gawdin and Justin Kirkland to one-year, two-way contracts. Both will carry salaries of $750K at the NHL level.

Gawdin, 24, will actually become a Group VI unrestricted free agent next summer should he fail to secure a full-time role in Calgary’s lineup this season. With just seven games under his belt to this point, that certainly isn’t a guarantee, though he has put up big numbers at the minor league level. Originally selected by the St. Louis Blues in 2015, Gawdin became one of the most dangerous offensive players in the WHL in 2017-18, scoring 56 goals and 125 points in just 67 games for the Swift Current Broncos. He led that team to the WHL championship and then took that success right into the professional ranks, posting seasons of 38 and 47 points in his first two years in the AHL.

Now, after making his debut but recording just one point in seven games, he’ll be in a battle for NHL playing time with several other depth forwards. The fact that the Flames brought in Trevor Lewis and Tyler Pitlick probably doesn’t help Gawdin’s cause, but he still could be in line for a roster spot.

Kirkland on the other hand is a longshot for any consistent playing time at the NHL level. The 25-year-old has yet to make his NHL debut after being the 62nd overall pick in 2014, and had just two goals in 16 games for the Stockton Heat last season. Kirkland is a good minor league player to have in the system and he potentially could bring some size to the bottom of the Flames lineup, but with the number of other forwards under contract, it seems unlikely he’ll break camp with the team.

Flames Have Shown Interest In Jake DeBrusk

at CDT | by 2 Comments

  • A pair of Western Canadian teams still have varying degrees of interest in Bruins winger Jake DeBrusk, reports Fluto Shinzawa of The Athletic (subscription link). The scribe notes the Oilers and Flames as teams interested, though Calgary is to a lesser degree.  DeBrusk is coming off a tough season that saw him post just 14 points in 41 games, hardly worth the $3.675MM AAV (that also carries a $4.85MM salary).  However, he scored at least 16 goals in each of his first three NHL seasons so there is a track record of some success.  Shinzawa suggests that a swap for a center would be Boston’s preference but neither of those teams have a center that could plausibly be had around that particular price tag.

Treliving: Flames Still Hopeful To Sign Nikita Zadorov Long-Term By Next Summer

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

While the Flames and defenseman Nikita Zadorov were only able to agree on a one-year, $3.75MM contract to avoid arbitration, GM Brad Treliving told reporters, including Postmedia’s Wes Gilbertson, that he remains hopeful that a longer-term agreement can be reached by the time he hits unrestricted free agency next summer.  Treliving noted that longer-term deals that would have bought out some UFA years were discussed but they just weren’t able to agree on the money.  Calgary has several other expiring contracts next summer including restricted free agents Matthew Tkachuk and Andrew Mangiapane plus pending UFA Johnny Gaudreau and it stands to reason that they may want to take care of those new contracts to see what they could possibly commit to Zadorov on his next contract.

Juuso Valimaki Signs With Calgary Flames

at CDT | by 2 Comments

The Calgary Flames have inked another defenseman today, this time reaching a two-year deal with Juuso Valimaki. The contract will carry an average annual value of $1.55MM.

Valimaki, 22, has had a turbulent start to his NHL career, including missing the entire 2019-20 season with a torn ACL. He returned this year and played in 49 games for the Flames but failed to really take the big step forward that some were hoping for. He looked outstanding while playing in Finland for the start of the 2020-21 campaign, scoring 19 points in 19 games, but that kind of offense has still failed to materialize in the NHL.

Still, even considering the lost development year, the young defenseman is still a valuable piece for Calgary moving forward. He will be a regular in the lineup again this season and with Mark Giordano now there are a lot of minutes on the left side up for grabs. The Flames did add Nikita Zadorov in the offseason, but that’s really it in terms of players competing with Valimaki for ice time.

There’s a real opportunity to step into the top-four, but that would be quite the leap for a player that has averaged just over 15 minutes a night through his first 73 NHL games. Valimaki was used sparingly on the penalty kill this season as Giordano and Chris Tanev ate up most of the short-handed minutes, but that is somewhere he could really help in 2021-22. The powerplay duties that Giordano held seem likely to go to Noah Hanifin, though that potentially is another spot that Valimaki could compete. He was a big goal-scoring threat in junior when he played with the Tri-City Americans of the WHL, but has just three in his time with the Flames.

Overall, this is a very interesting player to watch in Calgary this season as a big step in his development could mean a big step for the Flames in general. Locking him in at a reasonable amount for two seasons could prove brilliant if he runs away with a top-four job. The young defenseman will be arbitration-eligible when the contract expires, but still a restricted free agent under the Flames control.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images

Calgary Flames, Nikita Zadorov Avoid Arbitration

at CDT | by 4 Comments

Another arbitration hearing can be canceled, as Nikita Zadorov has reached a one-year contract with the Calgary Flames. The deal will carry a cap hit of $3.75MM and takes the defenseman right to unrestricted free agency next summer. Zadorov had a hearing set for August 26 which will no longer be required.

It’s another fresh start for Zadorov in Calgary this season after spending just a single year with the Chicago Blackhawks. Originally drafted by the Buffalo Sabres, 16th overall in 2013, he’s onto his fourth NHL team before he even turns 27. There’s been a theme to Zadorov’s entire career. The 6’6″ defenseman is an incredible physical presence on the rink, one of the most dangerous open-ice hitters in the league, but simply has never been able to find enough consistency in his own end. To that end, none of his teams have ever trusted him enough to play him 20 minutes a night despite the obvious raw talent he has.

In 55 games for the Blackhawks, Zadorov recorded eight points and 190 hits while averaging 19 minutes a night. He played a good bit on the penalty kill and had heavy defensive deployment, but once again didn’t do all that well in either area. When the Blackhawks left him unprotected in the expansion draft, the Seattle Kraken essentially forfeited their pick instead of taking him, selected a minor league UFA that has since gone overseas. The Flames sent a third-round pick to the Blackhawks to see if they could do what other teams haven’t been able to–turn Zadorov into a top-four defenseman.

The thing is, Calgary doesn’t have a lot of other options ahead of him. Zadorov should get a great opportunity for the Flames now that he’s signed, for only slightly less than the team’s top three players. Now that Mark Giordano is gone, the depth chart in Calgary is relatively thin. Committing $3.75MM to Zadorov means that he’s obviously a big part of their plans this season; whether he can handle it is still to be seen.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images

Tyler Parsons Accepts Qualifying Offer, Stays With Calgary Flames

at CDT | by 1 Comment

August 16: The Flames have officially announced the one-year, two-way contract for Parsons, confirming the NHL salary of $771,750.

August 6: PuckPedia is reporting that Calgary Flames goalie prospect Tyler Parsons has accepted his qualifying offer. A 2016 second-round pick of the team, Parsons will stay with the organization for the 2021-22 season on a $771,750 salary next season with $70,000 paid in the minors.

Parsons, a Michigan native, is now entering his fifth season within the Flames organization. While it’s common to see goaltenders take longer to develop, most would agree that Parsons hasn’t progressed as most would have expected and hoped. Parsons had a spectacular draft year in the OHL with the London Knights and repeated his performance the following season, posting save percentages above .920 in both the regular season and playoffs both years. But after turning pro for the 2017-18 season, Parsons hasn’t been able to perform well above the ECHL level. He boasts a save percentage above .900 and a record above .500 with the Kansas City Mavericks, but that success has failed to translate to his starts with the AHL’s Stockton Heat. He’s yet to post a save percentage above .900 in a full AHL season. This past season was even tougher for Parsons, who only got into one hockey game all year. His one start with Stockton didn’t go too well either, allowing five goals and posting a .800 save percentage.

Looking forward, though, Parsons stands to have a backup role carved out for him in Stockton next season. He’ll likely serve behind a goalie from his same draft class, Adam Werner, who wasn’t qualified by the Colorado Avalanche this offseason despite impressive performances at the minor league level. Werner’s track record and brief NHL experience likely give him the inside track to the starting job in Stockton, but as with many things in minor hockey, it’s not set in stone. There’s also a bit of a wild card in Dustin Wolf, who’ll be playing his first full professional season next year and is the organization’s most highly touted goaltending prospect. Parsons still has one more year to make an impression with Calgary’s front office.

Calgary Flames Sign Oliver Kylington

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

The Calgary Flames have reached an agreement with one of their many restricted free agents, signing Oliver Kylington to a one-year deal. The two-way contract will carry an NHL salary of $750K. Kylington, though eligible for salary arbitration this year, chose not to file.

Interestingly enough, that NHL salary is quite a bit lower than the $826,875 qualifying offer that Kylington would have received. The difference comes in the AHL salary, which Ryan Pike of Flames Nation reports is $300K, a healthy number for the minor leagues. That may suggest Kylington is expecting to see considerable time in the AHL, but also could actually help his case when trying to make the NHL club. A bottom-pairing or seventh defender at $750K is a valuable one for a team trying to fit everyone in under the cap.

Of course, Kylington won’t be surprised if he ends up on waivers once again, given he cleared at the beginning of this season even after playing 48 games for the Flames in 2019-20. He spent nearly the entire year on the taxi squad, suiting up for just eight games with the Flames and three with the Stockton Heat. Now 24, he’s transitioning out of the prospect phase of his career and is in trouble of being labeled a fringe NHL player.

This training camp will be key. If Kylington can establish himself as one of the Flames best six defenders and secure a full-time NHL role, there’s still a chance for him to fulfill his potential as a second-round pick. If he’s in the minor leagues once again, it’s hard to see him ever really becoming an impact player.

Calgary, Ottawa Announce ECHL Agreements

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

The Ottawa Senators have announced a new partnership with the Atlanta Gladiators of the ECHL, who will serve as their affiliate for the 2021-22 season. The deal is only for one year, though the release calls that an “initial duration,” suggesting there could be an extension if things go smoothly.  Senators GM Pierre Dorion released a statement on the deal:

We’re pleased to partner with the Gladiators and to have Atlanta serve as our ECHL affiliate next season. Our prospects who spend time in the ECHL in 2021-22 will be well served under a coaching staff led by Jeff Pyle who we know will positively impact our players’ development.

The Senators needed a new affiliate after the Brampton Beast announced they were folding following a tough few years financially. Atlanta had previously been affiliated with the Boston Bruins, but they recently announced a new partnership with the Maine Mariners.

That wasn’t the only ECHL news today, as the Calgary Flames also announced an extension of their agreement with the Kansas City Mavericks. The one-year extension will make it five seasons the two have been together, initially partnering for the 2017-18 campaign. Flames AGM Brad Pascall released a statement explaining the move:

The Calgary Flames and the Stockton Heat are pleased to continue our affiliation agreement with the ECHL’s Kansas City Mavericks. Kansas City is a first-class franchise with quality ownership and management that shares the same winning culture and player development objectives as our organization.

The ECHL is a proving ground for prospects that still need development, especially goaltenders that can use the playing time a professional organization provides.

Calgary Flames Sign Matthew Phillips, Luke Philp

at CDT | by 2 Comments

The Calgary Flames have announced two minor signings, inking Matthew Phillips and Luke Philp to one-year, two-way deals. Both contracts will carry a $750K salary at the NHL level.

The pair of young forwards will stay in the organization on short-term deals, giving them another chance to compete for NHL playing time. Phillips, 23, actually got into one game with the Flames this season, after once again being a strong contributor in the minor leagues. The tiny, 5’7″ forward was a dominant player in the WHL, scoring 90 and 112 points his last two seasons of junior hockey, and has had no trouble continuing to produce in the AHL. During the 2019-20 season. Phillips had 15 goals and 33 points in just 38 games, earning a spot at the All-Star Game. This season he scored eight goals and 21 points in 30 games, continuing his strong minor league career.

Still, it’s hard to really believe he will ever become an impact player for the Flames. Though there are other examples of small players finding success at the highest level, the fact is that those are exceptions, not the norm. The Flames obviously believe in him enough as a valuable piece of the organization to bring him back, but there will be real hurdles to clear if he wants to be a full-time NHL forward.

For Philp, those same hurdles exist, even if he is a bit bigger than his Stockton Heat teammate. The 25-year-old went undrafted out of the WHL and actually attended the University of Alberta, since he was no longer eligible for the NCAA. On the Canadian college hockey circuit he became a star, scoring 45 points in 24 games during his junior year. That earned him an entry-level contract with the Flames, but he still hasn’t had a whiff of the NHL. In two seasons for Stockton, Philp has 48 points in 82 games. That’s good, but likely not enough to really put him on a path to the Flames given his age (26 in November) and size (5’10”, 185). He would have to take a significant step forward this season to really push for more than spot duty.

Pro Hockey Rumors is not affiliated with National Hockey League, NHL or NHL.com

scroll to top