Flames extend qualifying offers to four players, including Andrew Mangiapane

The first big roster decisions of the 2020 off-season have been made by the Calgary Flames. The club announced Wednesday afternoon that they’ve extended qualifiying offers to four players: forwards Andrew Mangiapane and Glenn Gawdin, defenseman Oliver Kylington, and goaltender Tyler Parsons.

Not qualified, and becoming free agents on Friday morning, are forward Mark Jankowski, defenseman Andrew Nielsen, and goaltender Nick Schneider.

Mangiapane (24), Gawdin (23) and Kylington (23) were probably easy calls. Mangiapane is an NHL regular playing on the Flames’ shutdown line with Matthew Tkachuk and Mikael Backlund. Gawdin was an AHL All-Star and seems destined for fourth line duty in the NHL soon. Kylington is a strong NHL/AHL tweener trying to get a foothold as an everyday player.

Parsons (23) hasn’t played consistently over the past few seasons – due to mental health challenges and injury issues – but he’s been quite good when he’s been healthy. He seems destined to platoon with Artyom Zagidulin in Stockton for 2020-21.

The three players not receiving qualifying offers probably weren’t tough decisions for the Flames. Jankowski (26) was a healthy scratch at times in the playoffs and was owed a hefty $1.75 million qualifying offer. Under a flat salary cap, that was probably too rich for the Flames. Nielsen (23) was a depth piece for Stockton and has already signed in Austria. Schneider (23) was the backup goalie for Calgary’s ECHL affiliate in Kansas City.