Flames Add Derek Grant On Two-Way Deal

The Calgary Flames made a smaller move amidst all the hubbub of the big July 1 deals. The club announced that it’s signed 25-year-old Derek Grant to a one-year contract.

Based on the reported structure of the deal, it appears to be primarily a move for the Stockton Heat.

Grant comes to the Flames from the Ottawa Senators organization, which he joined as a fourth round selection in the 2008 NHL Draft. He put up good numbers at Michigan State University, scoring just shy of a point-per-game pace, but he failed to really break through as a professional. He’s big, though, listed as 6’3″ and a shade under 200 lbs. His addition could help provide some proverbial “time and space” to some of the organization’s developing skill players on the farm.

He appeared in 25 games with the Senators, scoring just two assists, while posting 117 points over 256 games with the Binghamton Senators. He seems to be primarily a depth signing, giving the Heat a center group that will likely include Markus Granlund, Max Reinhart, Bill Arnold and Turner Elson. That’s a decent group, but quite heavy on left-handed players.

The signing puts the Flames at 35 NHL contracts, as well as 11 restricted free agents.

We’ll have more updates to come as free agency season continues to unfold.