[Calgary4LIfe]

I am just curious as to where the Flames feel he would slot in. Let's say that the Flames' top 4 are set (with the assumption that Stone is re-signed). That leaves the bottom pairing and the Heat.

Culkin (L)
Healey (L)
Kanzig (L)
Ollas-Mattsson (L)
Kulak (L)
Wotherspoon (L)
Morrison (R)
Kylington (L)
Andersson (R)
Falkovsky (L)

I didn't include an AHL vet (Aulie, Kostka, Doetzel), but I imagine that the Flames may be interested in bringing in one of the above or another vet off another team.

That's quite the logjam.

Some of these prospects are RFAs, and it is highly unlikely they will all get signed. I will guess that Morrison, Culkin and maybe Wotherspoon will be moving on. Ollas-Mattsson may or may not play next year in NA. Falkovsky and Kanzig both played quite a lot in the ECHL, and I am not sure another full season would be the smart move in their development (unless the Flames essentially feel that Kanzig is no longer a legitimate prospect).

I am going to assume that Kulak makes the NHL this year, or Andersson. I can't see both (that's a lot to ask from them to be paired together and fed to the wolves, and I don't think that the Flames want to rock the boat on their top 4, which looks to finally be stabilized).

Flames must really like him. I don't think he would count as the veteran presence for the AHL, and even less thought of as a veteran partner for one of the young defencemen that might make it this year.

I didn't feel that he was bland in that video (not that we can scout based off of a single video). He skates well, has an offensive nose, doesn't shy away from contact and I like his active stick. Definitely a guy that probably needs seasoning, but seems like a decent bullet in the chamber so to speak to have as a PMD. Obviously he has something more to offer than what that video suggests, as 'multiple' NHL teams are interested.

My bet is that the Flames are going to re-sign Stone, find a vet to anchor their bottom pairing (maybe bring back Engelland at a reduced hit - Treliving did state earlier in the season he wanted him back after all), and one of Kulak/Wotherspoon/Andersson graduate. I have a feeling that McIlrath is going to be brought in to be the 7th D to play against Edmonton and Anaheim (at least if Engelland is moved). I have no idea whom else the Flames will be targeting for the bottom pairing, but a good bet would be someone off a PTO.

I am going to guess that Wotherspoon will not be qualified in addition to the others if Treliving is looking at bringing someone in who isn't legitimately NHL caliber, and who is also not a veteran to help the Heat.

Maybe it is as simple as LHS vs RHS. Ruutta is a righty, and there are 8 lefties and 2 righties (including Morrison, which again I think doesn't get qualified). I thought there was a more balanced split in the organization (maybe there is, and HockeyDB is inaccurate?).