Flames send three players back to junior

According to Homer Simpson, the hardest part of camp is the cuts. For the Calgary Flames, they began the tough process with the easiest decisions possible: they’ve assigned Dustin Wolf, Milos Roman and Dmitry Zavgorodniy back to their respective junior clubs.

Wolf, 18, didn’t play in either pre-season game but saw some action in the prospect series with the Oilers. He’s poised for another big season as the starter for the Western Hockey League’s Everett Silvertips.

Roman, 20, is also headed back to the Dub, where he plays with the Vancouver Giants. A two-spotter – he counts as an overager and an import – he’ll be counted upon to be an on-ice leader for the Giants. The Flames have to decide whether or not to sign him to an NHL deal following the season.

Zavgorodniy, 19, already has an NHL deal which begins next season. He’s headed back to be an offensive force with the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League’s Rimouski Oceanic – where presumptive top 2020 NHL Draft prospect Alexis Lafreniere also plays.

None of these three were going to make the NHL roster, so it makes a ton of sense to send them back to start their junior seasons on time. The Flames’ camp roster now sits at 53 players – six goalies, 16 defensemen and 31 forwards – excluding the injured Juuso Valimaki and unsigned restricted free agent Matthew Tkachuk.

The Flames are back in action on Wednesday night when they host the San Jose Sharks.