Flames recall Rinat Valiev from Stockton

The Calgary Flames have made a roster move in advance of Sunday’s game against the Carolina Hurricanes. The club has recalled defenseman Rinat Valiev from the Stockton Heat of the American Hockey League.

With Travis Hamonic’s status for Sunday’s game in question, adding Valiev gives the team a bit of insurance.

Valiev, 23, was acquired from the Montreal Canadiens at the beginning of the season in the trade that sent Brett Kulak to the Habs. Valiev is a left-shot defender who’s put up 12 points in 36 games with Stockton. It’s his second callup this season; he was previously up from Dec. 8-10, also as an insurance policy.

As a depth guy making the league minimum cap hit ($650,000) at the NHL level, Valiev makes a lot of sense to bring up as a short-term move.