I think the Flames are trying to figure out what they have in Andersson, Kylington and Valimaki.
There are not of lot of NHL legit top-4 d-man that grow into a top-4 role after they are 23. For example Hamonic was playing top-4 at age 20. Brodie, a slow developer was top-4 at age 22. Hanifin was top-4 as a 19 year old.
Andersson turns 23 this week, he is older than Hanifin.
The Flames are giving him every chance to show he is more than a #5 D-man because they have to make a choice on keeping Brodie and/or Hamonic and they need a legit top-6 forward and a real goalie.
Valimaki gave indication that he was the real deal and had a good chance to move Anderssson and Kylington down the depth chart. His being out for a year and not showing and growing has left the Flames with Andersson as the default for a top-4 spot next year.
Right now Kylington and Andersson are performing at replacement level and there is no worry about them having their next contract at much more than Mangiapane got after his hold out.
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