Tyler Wotherspoon sent down, Brett Kulak recalled

The Calgary Flames announced that they have sent Tyler Wotherspoon back down to the AHL. Today was the last game to do so before he became waiver eligible and if they had opted to send him back down later, he would have been gone for nothing. Brett Kulak has been recalled, but really he should have never been sent down in the first place.

Flames sent out the official release. Kulak up. Wotherspoon down.

— Kristen Odland (@Kristen_Odland) January 9, 2017

This may mark the end of Wotherspoon's tenure with the organization. He hasn't had much of a chance with the Flames, but then again he's never done well enough to show that he's deserved that extended chance. He's been playing for the Flames since 2013 and of all Flames defensemen who've had at least 250 minutes in five-on-five score adjusted scenarios he's last of all Flames defensemen in relative shot attempt ratio, last in relative unblocked shot attempt ratio, second to last in relative shot ratio, last in expected goal ratio, and second to last in relative scoring chance ratio. In addition to that, he's not had much luck as he's dead last in relative goal ratio.

Kulak was much better before they inexplicably send him down and the Flames are in a push for the playoffs. Hopefully he can come back in and contribute to their run. He’s certainly been much better than Tyler Wotherspoon, Jyrki Jokipakka, and Dennis Wideman, so if he’s in the lineup he’s probably an upgrade.

by Les Mavus