I think it has to be a 4th line guy like Gross or Kerins or something. That line is the only guys I would think by merit need to sit if they aren't going (maybe Sharply). Otherwise I don't wanna mess with Honzek or Zary or anyone else in the lineup.
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Who gets Jonathan Huberdeau’s NHL roster spot to start the season?
Photo credit: © Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Pals, as we approached Calgary Flames training camp ahead of the 2026-27 season, we thought we had a pretty good handle on who would be on the team when the regular season begins on Oct. 1.
On paper, the team seemed set. They had two goalies on one-way deals. They had seven defencemen on one-way deals, plus Zayne Parekh. They had 11 forwards on one-way deals, plus Sam Honzek and Matvei Gridin. That adds up to 23 players, which means that all of the roster spots looked spoken for.
Well, then news came down from the Flames just before camp started that Jonathan Huberdeau, still recovering from major hip surgery back in March, won’t quite be ready to start the season. With Huberdeau starting the campaign on the injury reserve list, that leaves a forward roster spot open for somebody.
So who gets it?
In our first roundtable of the season, we put the question both to the Daily Faceoff Calgary writing staff, as well as our great readers.
Cynthia Ryley Delaney, staff writer
Aydar Suniev, he’s been really good this pre-season.
Mike Gould, staff writer
I think the Flames’ 13th forward should be Alex Nylander. He’s never lived up to his draft billing, but he’s a skilled and versatile vet who you don’t have to feel bad about keeping in the press box. He reminds me a bit of Tobi Rieder, one of the better Flames 13th forwards in recent memory.
Adrian Kiss, staff writer
I think Adam Klapka is the true 13th forward but Brennan Othmann could be the guy who gets Jonathan Huberdeau’s spot.
Ryan Pike, managing editor
I’m going with the Flames’ erstwhile utility forward, Dryden Hunt. If he needs to play on the fourth line, he can provide quality minutes. If the coaching staff wants to give a bunch of time to Maxim Tsyplakov, Martin Pospisil and Adam Klapka as a fourth line unit, Hunt is a pro that understands a depth role and will be ready if called upon. There’s really no downside in using him as the NHL 13th forward short-term.
Paige Siewert, staff writer (Calgary Wranglers coverage)
Aydar Suniev, Brennan Othmann or Rory Kerins.
Flash Stevens, staff writer (Beyond the Boxscore post-game analysis)
William Stromgren. He needs waivers, got a taste last year, I’d rather Tyson Gross/Aydar Suniev/Andrew Basha/Jonathan Castagna play some quality minutes in the AHL, and he’s got the size to find success if relegated to a more energy role.
The readers
We took to social media to see what Flames fans (and DFO Calgary readers) thought the club should do with the roster flexibility. As with our writers, we got a lot of different responses!
Rory Kerins
Stromgren for me. Gotta know what he is in the NHL
Really want to see Suniev get a shot.
It’s the perfect short opportunity for a young guy from the AHL level to taste the NHL. IMO, Suniev earned this opportunity in the pre-season so far. If Suniev can score in October, then when Huberdeau comes back, Huska will be forced to keep Suniev and bench someone else.
Hunt. The they stick with the lines from last night
Few interesting potential waiver claims
Who do you think the Flames will carry as their 13th forward to start the season? Let us know in the comments!
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Calgary FlamesTeam Cap Summary
Cap Summary
2026-27
2027-28
Projected Cap Hit
$90,091,666
$70,041,666
Projected Cap Space
$13,908,334
$43,458,334
Current Cap Space
$13,908,334
$43,458,334
Active Players
23/23
16/23
Draft Picks
Round
'27
'28
1
1
1
2
2
2
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1