Flames GM Looking to Clear Defenseman's Cap Space Ahead of Trade Deadline

The Calgary Flames' season isn't necessarily going according to plan. Not to say this wasn't somewhat expected; it was. As it stands, Calgary (24-17-9) is outside the playoffs, just behind the Colorado Avalanche for the second Wild Card spot in the West.

A team can't just lose 250 player points and expect to duplicate year-over-year success. Matthew Tkachuk and Johnny Gaudreau's 219 points were always going to be irreplaceable. This much was certain.

What maybe hasn't been talked about enough is the absence of defenseman Oliver Kylington. Kylington hasn't played a game this season and is on personal leave in Sweden due to a family matter.

Kylington's 31 points from the blue line ranked 3rd among Flames defensemen. His absence - even with the addition of Mackenzie Weegar - has left a gaping hole on both sides of the puck. It has not, however, left a hole in the team's balance sheet, as they are still on the hook for Kylington's salary cap hit.

As such, Anthony Di Marco of The Fourth Period writes that GM Brad Treliving should have about $7 million in cap space at the trade deadline. There remains one more option for Treliving to create added space should he choose to exercise it: placing Kylington's cap hit on long-term injured reserve.

According to Darren Dreger and other outlets, Kylington's return is not imminent, which gives Treliving the excuse of not only relegating Kylington to LTIR but also adding a defenseman. Although, a forward might do Calgary well too, as they are plainly average on both sides of the puck.

The Flames are 17th in the NHL but are 18th in goals-for; they are 16th in goals-against. Sonny Milano - who has 22 points in 40 games for Washington - had signed a professional tryout with the Flames but was released before the season started.

Treliving has his work cut out for him once again after a turbulent offseason. Nobody can really fault him, as Gaudreau and Tkachuk's joint departure was well out of his hands. Landing Jonathan Huberdeau and Mackenzie Weegar was fine work, all things considered.

Although, that Huberdeau contract doesn't look great in hindsight; with a $10.5 million cap-hit, Huberdeau has just 33 points in 47 games.

Source: Anthony Di Marco, The Fourth Period

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