Flames re-sign Justin Kirkland to one year, two-way deal

Off-season dominoes are beginning to topple for the Calgary Flames. One such domino was nudged over on Monday, as the Flames announced they’ve re-signed forward Justin Kirkland to a one year, two-way contract.

Kirkland, 24, joined the Flames last off-season and spent the entirety of 2019-20 with the AHL’s Stockton Heat. He had six goals and 28 points in 53 games, and was generally a consistent, steady veteranish presence for a team with a ton of young players new to the pro game. Originally a third round selection by the Nashville Predators in 2014, Kirkland spent three years with the AHL’s Milwaukee Admirals before joining the Flames organization.

Kirkland was slated to become a restricted free agent on Oct. 9, but instead he gets a shiny new contract. The left shot winger spent his junior days with the WHL’s Kelowna Rockets where he was teammates with Dillon Dube and was briefly coached by current Flames assistant Ryan Huska. It seems evident that the Flames have a book on Kirkland and seem comfortable with him continuing on in his depth role.

Kirkland is the second Flames minor leaguer getting a new contract, following the re-signing of Artyom Zagidulin earlier in the summer.