Flames make major cuts, reduce camp roster to 28

With just over a week until the NHL actually drops the puck, the Calgary Flames have begun to solidify their roster for the upcoming 2019-20 season. The Flames announced today that they have sent 13 players to the Stockton Heat, as well as returned Jakob Pelletier to the QMJHL and released Alexandre Grenier from his PTO.

Those headed to Stockton include forwards Adam Ruzicka, Matthew Phillips, Luke Philp, Glenn Gawdin, Martin Pospisil, Eetu Tuulola, defencemen Robert Hamilton, Zac Leslie, Corey Schueneman, Alex Yelesin, and goaltenders Tyler Parsons and Artyom Zagidulin. With no prospect making a convincing case for an NHL spot and with Stockton’s camp opening soon, these cuts were mostly a formality.

Rinat Valiev, Andrew Nielsen, Justin Kirkland, Byron Froese, and Buddy Robinson will join that group tomorrow after clearing waivers.

2019 first rounder Pelletier has also been reassigned to the Moncton Wildcats, where he’ll likely play for the entire year. The Flames draft pick wasn’t expected to win a job in his first training camp, and with no other place to play, he’ll have to hone his skills in the QMJHL for at least one more season.

RW PTO Alexander Grenier was also part of the cuts. He might get an AHL contract with Stockton, or perhaps find an opportunity elsewhere. PTOs Andrew Macdonald, Devante Smith-Pelly, Tobias Reider, and Zac Rinaldo are still on the roster for now.

The Flames have 28 players -three goalies, nine defenceman, and 16 forwards- remaining at camp.