Roster management is never-ending, especially when dealing with NHLers that require waivers. For the Calgary Flames, Wednesday’s off-day after a road trip offered the perfect opportunity to make some moves.
The Flames sent forwards Jakob Pelletier and Walker Duehr down to the AHL, although it’s unclear if either will dress in the Calgary Wranglers’ game against the Manitoba Moose.
It’s also not certain who will be called up for Thursday’s game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, which kicks off a five-game homestand before the holidays. Both Pelletier and Duehr had been praised by head coach Ryan Huska during their time with the Flames after being re-called on Dec. 2.
In four games apiece, Pelletier scored a goal and earned an assist, averaging just over eight minutes of ice time per game. Duehr has contributed one assist, averaging a little over 10 minutes per game and using his physical presence to make an impact.
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Because they cleared waivers before the start of the regular season, they’re able to be assigned back to the AHL until they hit certain limits in days on the NHL roster (30) or once they suit up for 10 NHL contests.
The actual cost savings on the pro-rated cap are negligible, and the Flames have plenty of space under the ceiling (more than $18 million projected to the end of the season and just under $30M in current space). However, the opportunity to save waiver time can add up with largely paper transactions.
The Flames will need to bring at least one player back for Thursday night’s game against the Lightning, with just 11 forwards on the active roster after Justin Kirkland was placed on injured reserve to undergo season-ending knee surgery.
The Flames also lost top free-agent signing Anthony Mantha for the year because of a similar knee injury.
The Wranglers boast the AHL’s top scorer in Rory Kerins (17 goals and 27 points in 24 games), who has certainly earned a chance for an NHL twirl. But unless the Flames plan to play Kerins or Zary on the wing, it’s more likely either Pelletier, Duehr, or both are back if the availability of winger Ryan Lomberg is in question with a baby on the way.
