Arizona claims Freddie Hamilton off waivers, Flames recall Marek Hrivik

Ladies and gentlemen, the Calgary Flames are down to one Hamilton brother in their organization. Forward Freddie Hamilton, elder brother to Flames blueliner Dougie Hamilton, has reportedly been claimed off the waiver wire by the worst team in the National Hockey League, the Arizona Coyotes.

In a corresponding move, the Flames have recalled forward Marek Hrivik from the American Hockey League’s Stockton Heat.

Hamilton, 26, was originally acquired by the Flames in a trade with the Colorado Avalanche for a conditional seventh round pick. The condition never converted because Hamilton didn’t get enough NHL time, so essentially they got him for free. The Avalanche were up against the contract limit and didn’t really know what to do with him, so playing on his brother’s team was a natural fit.

He spent much of 2015-16 with Stockton and only ended up playing 38 NHL games and amassing five points during roughly two full seasons on the Flames’ big league roster. He was a frequent healthy scratch, but was praised by the coaching staff for always being ready to play when called upon. Hamilton’s a fairly versatile player and his low, low cap hit ($613,000 AAV) is definitely useful for a budget team like the Coyotes, but he’s more or less a fringe body at this juncture.

Hrivik, 26, was signed as a free agent this summer after spending his North American career in the New York Rangers organization, primarily with their AHL affiliate in Hartford. A useful depth body – strong in the AHL and decent in the NHL in limited use – Hrivik has 29 points in 28 games with Stockton. Listed as a left wing, he can play all three forward positions and gives the Flames’ bottom six group a bit of versatility and energy.

With Hamilton’s claim, the Flames are down to 46 active NHL contracts.