Calgary Flames
Training camp cuts: seven gone, 33 remaining at camp, 10 to go
We're just a week away from the regular season.
Another preseason game, another day off, another round of cuts. The season begins just one week from today, and the Flames‘ preseason games will come to an end this Saturday. Despite a slew of day-to-day injuries, the Flames’ opening day roster is beginning to take form.
Today's cuts are:
- Bill Arnold (assigned to Adirondack)
- Max Reinhart (assigned to Adirondack)
- Corban Knight (assigned to Adirondack)
- Brett Kulak (assigned to Adirondack)
- Sena Acolatse (requires waivers to be assigned to Adirondack, he’ll clear)
- Sheldon Brookbank (released from PTO)
- Nolan Yonkman (released from PTO)
Kulak had a fantastic showing. He was calm and poised throughout his preseason games, and should be getting big minutes in Adirondack. Acolatse, meanwhile, showed some promise, and should add to what will be an interesting defence group down in Glens Falls.
Speaking of Diaz, he's still around. And is almost certainly going to be given a contract. WHEN that actually happens, we don't know, but if he doesn't get one… After Bob Hartley's gushing and Diaz's general excellent performance… He's getting a contract before the season starts. He's the only camp invite remaining.
Then there are a handful of prospects still remaining:
- Sven Baertschi
- Sam Bennett (minor injuries)
- Michael Ferland
- Johnny Gaudreau
- Markus Granlund (suspected concussion)
- Josh Jooris
- Morgan Klimchuk (injured)
- Corey Potter (injured)
- Patrick Sieloff
- Tyler Wotherspoon (injured)
- Joni Ortio
Bennett continues to suffer minor injuries, but he's still skating. The lineup is really filling up, though. At this stage he may get a couple of NHL games, but eventually be sent down.
With veterans injured, that leaves just a handful of spots left. Ortio is almost certainly going to be sent down, it's just a matter of when. That leaves four wingers, two who are not so surprising (Gaudreau and Baertschi), one you wouldn't have predicted before the preseason, but now seems obvious (Ferland), and one shocker that shows just how far he's come (Jooris).
Gaudreau, Baertschi, and Ferland are all LWers, so there's tight competition there, and a lot depends on how the roster and veteran situations shake out. Jooris, who is definitely a step below the first two, and not quite on Ferland's level yet, however, naturally plays on the RW. It isn't just position that's kept him up, as he's definitely performed well, but to see him still in main camp is impressive, and pretty intriguing.
by Ari Yanover