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Flames roster news: Justin Kirkland clears waivers, assigned to Wranglers
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Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Ryley Delaney
Feb 2, 2026, 18:00 ESTUpdated: Feb 2, 2026, 18:09 EST
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Justin Kirkland will remain in the Calgary Flames organization.
On Sunday, the Flames placed Justin Kirkland on waivers. Well, he cleared at noon MT, with the Flames reassigning him to the American Hockey League’s Calgary Wranglers shortly after.
The 29-year-old has played 20 games with the Flames in 2025-26, scoring a goal and an assist in 20 games, while also scoring five goals and seven points in 14 AHL games this season. Kirkland’s first real look in the NHL came in 2024-25, when he scored two goals and eight points in 21 games, along with a few shootout goals. Unfortunately, his season ended prematurely due to an ACL tear.
Drafted 62nd overall in the 2014 draft by the Nashville Predators, Kirkland played his junior hockey with the Western Hockey League’s Kelowna Rockets, winning the Ed Chynoweth Cup with the team. Kirkland’s first six professional seasons were played mainly in the AHL, with Kirkland emerging as an National Hockey League option in 2021-22 after scoring 25 goals and 48 points in 66 games.
Beginning the 2022-23 season with the Anaheim Ducks AHL team, Kirkland was called up to make his NHL debut, playing seven games with the Ducks. Kirkland was involved in a serious car accident, but was thankfully released the next day. The forward played two more NHL games in 2023-24, this time with the Arizona Coyotes, before returning to the Flames organization, where he is to this day.
The Flames only play two more games before the Olympic break, so sending Kirkland down now before Wednesday’s roster freeze will allow him to play with the Wranglers when the NHL is on break. The Wranglers will play six games over that stretch.
With further potential moves ahead of Mar. 6’s trade deadline, it’s a strong possibility that Kirkland will be recalled to the NHL at some point before the end of the season, and perhaps even have a larger role.
Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for FlamesNation, Oilersnation, and Blue Jays Nation. She can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.
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