The Calgary Flames are in a bit of a good news/bad news situation regarding their young blueliners. Defenseman Juuso Valimaki missed Saturday’s practice with a lower-body injury, which may open the door for Oliver Kylington to play on Sunday against the Arizona Coyotes.
#Flames head coach Bill Peters said he hasn’t made a decision on the starting goaltender. Valimaki missed today’s practice with a lower body injury. And asked Peters about if they’ve considered sitting James Neal: “I haven’t. We think he’s trending in the right direction.”
— Kristen Anderson (@KdotAnderson) November 24, 2018
Recalled from the American Hockey League’s Stockton Heat earlier this week, Kylington was paired with Travis Hamonic in Saturday’s skate. A second round pick in the 2015 NHL Draft, Kylington has suited up for one NHL game in his pro career – on April 9, 2016, in a meaningless Game 82 outing – and this would be his first big league appearance in two and a half years. By all accounts he’s been superb for the Heat so far this season.
Projected defensive pairings would likely look like this in the two main scenarios:
| Valimaki in | Valimaki out |
| Giordano – Brodie | Giordano – Brodie |
| Hanifin – Hamonic | Hanifin – Andersson |
| Valimaki – Andersson | Kylington – Hamonic |
No other changes are expected to the Flames’ skaters, while it’s unclear which of David Rittich or Mike Smith would start in net.
K, as far as Defense goes, last year I was in the trade TJ camp! I see now how that was a mistake! When he plays on the proper side, he is better! This overall defence impresses me! Curious to see one more new face! Gonna be interesting!