Flames cut Mason McDonald, Dustin Stevenson

Still with four preseason games to go, the Calgary Flames are slowly whittling away at their camp roster. Two more are now gone: junior goaltender Mason McDonald, and AHL defenceman Dustin Stevenson.

McDonald, the starting goaltender of the QMJHL’s Charlottetown Islanders, saw limited game action in Flames camps. He played one game in the Penticton tournament, surrendering four goals – including a penalty shot goal – in what was ultimately a 6-3 loss (empty netters be damned), and one period in preseason split squad action, giving up two goals in a 4-2 loss (dang empty netters). Both games were against the Edmonton Oilers.

Considering the three-way goaltending battle at camp between Jonas Hiller, Karri Ramo, and Joni Ortio, there was never going to be a spot for McDonald on this team. He’s also only 19 years old, though, so he’s young yet.

Charlottetown's season started on Friday, Sept. 11. Their next game is Sunday, Sept. 27. McDonald missed five games while at training camp.

Stevenson, 26, played just one preseason game for the Flames. He was part of the very raw defence group sent to Denver to play the Colorado Avalanche. The Flames won the game 1-0; Stevenson played 20:05 in the win, fourth out of all Calgary defencemen. His 2:44 on the penalty kill made him a leader on the team when down a man.

Stevenson, who played 45 games for the AHL's Adirondack Flames in 2014-15, has been assigned to the Stockton Heat. He has an AHL deal with the team.

Forty-seven players remain at Flames camp: four goalies, 17 defencemen, and 26 forwards.

And because I’m mentioning this every time until he goes: Rasmus Andersson, the only remaining player who is guaranteed to be sent to junior if cut, it still at main training camp. There are a few other players there who could still be sent back to junior – Keegan Kanzig, Morgan Klimchuk, Oliver Kylington, Sam Bennett – but the first three have the option to go to the AHL, and Bennett is almost certainly going to be in the NHL. It’s the OHL or NHL for Andersson – and he’s still around. His Colts have their second game of the season on Sunday, Sept. 27; their third game isn’t until Thursday, Oct. 1 – so that might be a date to keep in mind for his potential departure.

by Ari Yanover