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.