A long-time member of the Calgary Flames organization will be wearing an unfamiliar jersey in the 2024-25 season. Blueliner Oliver Kylington, who became an unrestricted free agent on July 1, signed with the Colorado Avalanche, as announced by that club on Monday afternoon.

Per multiple reports, it’s a one year deal worth $1.05 million.

A product of Stockholm, Sweden, Kylington originally joined the Flames organization way back in 2015, via the NHL Draft, when the Flames selected him at the tail-end of that draft’s second round. Originally regarded as a potential first-round talent, he slid a bit as the draft neared due to some perceived shortcomings in his play away from the puck.

But Kylington bet on himself, signing his entry-level deal with the Flames immediately and moving to North America as an 18-year-old to play with the Flames’ farm team, the Stockton Heat. Kylington spent essentially three full seasons working on his two-way game before starting to push for full-time NHL work in the 2018-19 season.

After a few fits and starts in a full-time role – and a couple instances where Brad Treliving opted to bring in veterans to shore up defensive depth at the trade deadline – Kylington had a breakout campaign in 2021-22. Playing alongside shutdown stalwart Chris Tanev, Kylington was able to use his skating and offensive skills to great effect, and he posted 31 points over 73 games.

While Kylington signed a two year deal with a $2.5 million AAV in the 2022 off-season, he didn’t play another NHL game for the better part of two years as he remained in Sweden for the 2022-23 season to deal with lingering mental health challenges. He returned to pro hockey on a conditioning stint with the Calgary Wranglers in January 2024, and made his first NHL appearance in roughly 20 months on Jan. 25 when the Flames hosted the Columbus Blue Jackets. He was one of the three finalists for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy for his perseverance and dedication to hockey by the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association.

Playing on a fairly depleted Flames blueline, Kylington posted eight points over 33 games at the end of the 2023-24 season. He and the Flames weren’t able to come to terms on a new deal before July 1, despite engaging in discussions, and Kylington became a UFA. The signing of Jake Bean, another offensive-minded leftie blueliner, likely spelled the end for Kylington with the Flames organization.

While the Flames arguably would’ve had a strong ability to showcase Kylington due to their lack of NHL blueline depth, Colorado’s not a bad landing spot for a smooth-skating player who plays an up-tempo style. The Avalanche had a pretty strong defensive group on paper – boasting the likes of Cale Makar, Devon Toews, Sam Girard and Josh Manson – and while Kylington may end up as a third-pairing player there, they have enough depth to potentially put him in positions to succeed at even strength.

Kylington’s time with the Flames is over, but he’ll be well-remembered for his on and off-ice contribution, and he’s likely a player that Flames fans will be rooting for in the future. (Though probably not as loudly when Colorado plays the Flames.)

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