#Flames Roster Update: Jacob Markstrom is unavailable this evening due to illness (flu). Jacob was confirmed too sick to play after the 5 pm MT gameday roster transaction deadline. As a result, Dustin Nickel has been signed to an amateur tryout agreement and will backup tonight.
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Calgary Flames sign emergency backup Dustin Nickel after Jacob Markstrom falls ill; Dan Vladar to start against Vegas
Photo credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
A bit of history will occur on Monday night at the Saddledome. With starting netminder Jacob Markstrom deemed unavailable for the game after the daily roster deadline, the Calgary Flames will dress an emergency backup, Dustin Nickel, as backup behind Dan Vladar in Monday’s game with the Vegas Golden Knights.
Nickel, 32, is a Calgary product who’s served as the in-house EBUG for the past several seasons. He played in the Alberta Junior Hockey League with Calgary Canucks, the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League with the Kindersley Klippers, and suited up with the Mount Royal University Cougars for a few seasons.
As far as we can tell, this is the first time in Flames franchise history that the club has dressed an emergency backup in a game.
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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
$14,201,141
$43,458,334
Active Players
23/23
16/23
Draft Picks
Round
'27
'28
1
1
1
2
2
2
3
2
1