The Calgary Flames called up forward Dryden Hunt a couple days ago from the American Hockey League’s Calgary Wranglers. On Saturday, they re-assigned Hunt back to the AHL.

The Flames had a road game in Winnipeg on Friday night. After Nazem Kadri took an elbow to the face late in Wednesday’s loss to the Montreal Canadiens, he missed Thursday’s practice for “maintenance” reasons.

With an open roster spot available, the Flames called up Hunt from the Wranglers later on Thursday, probably as insurance in case anybody wasn’t available on the road. Typically, the Flames prefer to have a couple healthy bodies around in case somebody gets banged up during pre-game warm-up or falls ill.

But Kadri was good to go for Friday’s game and played in his normal spot on the Flames’ top line with Jonathan Huberdeau and Matt Coronato, even scoring a power play goal in the first period. With the Flames back home from Winnipeg, lineup insurance likely isn’t needed anymore and so Hunt is headed back to the AHL. (Hunt missed the Wranglers home-opener on Friday night due to his call-up, but given his age and developmental stage it’s not the end of the world if he missed out on some game reps.)

The move reduces the Flames’ active roster to 22 players – two goaltenders, seven defencemen and 13 forwards – which allows them flexibility to potentially activate Martin Pospisil from the injury reserve when he’s cleared for play. (Or, in the short term, they have the ability to bring up someone from the Wranglers if they want.)

Through four games this season with the Wranglers, Hunt has two goals and four assists for six points. The Wranglers are back in action on Saturday night when they host the Coachella Valley Firebirds. The Flames are back in action on Sunday when they host the New York Rangers.

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