Alex Gallant further cemented position as one of the AHL’s toughest in 2022-23
1 year ago
Alex Gallant is not a name you hear much of when you are referring to the Calgary Flames’ AHL team, but he is actually one of the longer standing players in this organization. He finished up his fourth season in Calgary’s AHL system playing with the Calgary Wranglers as a depth forward option. The big plays Gallant was known for usually resulted in some gloves on the ice and some big blows to his opponent’s general facial area. Here’s how Gallant looked in Calgary this season.
By the numbers
Regular season
In Gallant’s year with the Wranglers, he played in just over half of their regular season games. In 46 games for Calgary this season, he put up one goal and five assists for a total of six points. His only goal of the season came on March 17th against the Tucson Roadrunners.
Alex Gallant’s role wasn’t exactly a scoring one and what he did excel in, was making room for his teammates on the ice and dropping the gloves in some heavyweight tilts when called upon. One in particular earned him a three game suspension that was served in the last two regular season games and the first playoff game of the 2022-23 run. This fight was also by far the most memorable of the season.
He racked up 114 PIMs in his eighth season in the AHL and just one less minute than last season. This was Gallant’s fourth season playing for the Flames’ AHL affiliate and he matched his scoring numbers from last year’s run. His career high for points in the AHL came in 2019-20 in his first season with the Stockton Heat. He earned eight points that year.
Gallant was typically slotted into the fourth line and spent most of his time playing with Adam Klapka and Mitch McLain on a bruiser line that could all hold their own in a fight. You wouldn’t want a line brawl with those guys.
Post-season
With some reinforcements coming down from the NHL including Jakob Pelletier and Walker Duehr, Gallant’s semi-regular spot was taken away to make room for those guys. Other players were able to fill in for his physical game and as a result, Gallant did not play in any of the postseason games.
Last year for the Heat, he played in 11 out of 13 playoff games and earned three points in that run.
Next season
Gallant’s two year AHL contract he signed back in 2021 has now come to an end and he is currently not re-signed for next season. With someone who’s got the history in the league and with this team, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to keep him around for another season if both sides are willing and able to work something out.
I wouldn’t expect to see much news about him until much later into the summer and possibly the early days of training camp. There are bigger contracts to hash out before his is considered.
Rating
Gallant did not have a season to blow anyone away by any means but he also did not hurt the team much when he was in the lineup. Yes, there were times when some penalties maybe could have been timed better but ultimately, he gave the Wranglers options on the bench and made a seamless transition back into his line when called upon.
For Gallant’s efforts in the regular season, I give him a C+.
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