Nation Sites
The Nation Network
FlamesNation has no direct affiliation to the Calgary Flames, Calgary Sports and Entertainment, NHL, or NHLPA
Flames recall Rinat Valiev from Stockton

Photo credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
The Calgary Flames have made another roster move. With an eye towards having an extra healthy body around, they’ve recalled defenseman Rinat Valiev from the American Hockey League’s Stockton Heat.
Originally acquired in the swap that sent Brett Kulak to Montreal, Valiev has played 20 games with the Heat this season and has three assists. The 23-year-old is a left-shot defender originally from Russia, but he played his junior hockey as an import with the Western Hockey League’s Kootenay ICE. He’s played 12 NHL games in his young career: 10 with the Toronto Maple Leafs and two with the Montreal Canadiens.
With the Flames playing back to back games, it made sense to have a player around as an insurance policy. Having Valiev on the roster gives them the option to swap a defender out for Sunday’s game in Edmonton, or potentially even go with 11 forwards and seven defenders if needed.
Though not indicated in the media release, presumably Valiev is taking Mikael Backlund’s roster spot and the Flames forward has likely been placed on the injured reserve.
Breaking News
- Flames centre Nazem Kadri climbs to top tier in latest Daily Faceoff trade board
- Recap: Wranglers take step in right direction with a close game in Bakersfield
- Flames trade rumours: open to futures deal or ‘hockey trade’ involving Nazem Kadri
- Wranglers Game Day: A road meeting with the Oilers farm team
- Zayne Parekh looked like, well, Zayne Parekh in first NHL game since November
