Oliver Kylington: a shilling for your thoughts...

[Makarov]

Oliver Kylington has clearly been one of the Flames' six best defensemen during the preseason so far. Indeed, I think he has clearly been one of the Flames' two best defensemen, and arguably been the Flames' best defenseman, period.

Now, I'm a longtime (and long suffering) Kylington fanboy so I may not be being objective when I propose this, but: absent an injury or some sort of huge collapse in performance, there's no way Kylington isn't in the top six when the season begins, right? RIGHT?

And, if so, who does he beat for the job?

More importantly, how much weight can we put on this preseason performance? Does it change anyone's perception of his ceiling (keeping in mind that he was once seen as likely to be selected in the top five at the NHL entry draft)? Does he have meaningful top four potential?

[Vinny01]

I think he could beat Mackey out and their contract structure leads me to believe it will happen. I think the Flames will carry 8 guys and if there is a glaring need for mobility back there Kylington gets in the lineup.

Mackey signing 925k for 2 years leads me to believe he will slide through waivers a little easier than Kylington who makes the minimum and only has this year on his deal

[activeStick]

Yeah, he's really stepped up this pre-season and has earned it. Locks on D are Hanifin, Tanev, Zadorov, Andersson, leaving 3 or 4 spots between Kylington, Gudbranson, Valimaki, Stone.

[dino7c]

wish he scored on that one that went off the bar last night...would have been a good moment for him

I have been skeptical and think his preseason efforts might be overblown by some but he certainly deserves to make the team with his play thus far. He will likely get another couple chances.

[Savvy27]

Last night was interesting in that it showed that Chris Tanev doesn't actually make any partner look good. Zadorov struggled yet again, so I think the idea that Zadorov is just going to get a spot in the top 4 because of his contract is probably incorrect.

Kylington has been one of the best D on the team through preseason and fortunately for him, he has played best with Tanev where the open spot is. In my mind, that LD spot with Tanev is ripe for the taking and between Kylington, Mackey, and Valimaki, 58 is the outright leader through camp (which is the opposite of what I expected in the offseason).

I'm very nervous about a potential Zadorov-Gudbranson pairing, but Valimaki and Mackey have played well enough that one of them should be able to start the season there. Honestly (and I know it's early) the Flames should be shopping Zadorov to see if they can move him. He has been really bad and they are fortunate that one of their young LD looks to have emerged beyond expectations. I understood the thinking in the summer but Zadorov has disappointed and Kylington has surprised.

[Scroopy Noopers]

It’s spelled “kylling” you simpleton.

[FlamesAddiction]

If he finally finds consistency, then he could be a really good player. He has the offensive acumen to jump into plays and the speed to get back in time. It doesn't come without risk, but I do think it is an element this team needs. His strength last season surprised me as well.

I think the coaches need to be patient with him, but I don't think he improves much if he goes back to the minors at this point. If you leave players in the minors too long, they develop into minor leaguers. The time is right to give him some more rope at this point to see if he can get to the next level.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Savvy27

Last night was interesting in that it showed that Chris Tanev doesn't actually make any partner look good. Zadorov struggled yet again, so I think the idea that Zadorov is just going to get a spot in the top 4 because of his contract is probably incorrect.

Kylington has been one of the best D on the team through preseason and fortunately for him, he has played best with Tanev where the open spot is. In my mind, that LD spot with Tanev is ripe for the taking and between Kylington, Mackey, and Valimaki, 58 is the outright leader through camp (which is the opposite of what I expected in the offseason).

I'm very nervous about a potential Zadorov-Gudbranson pairing, but Valimaki and Mackey have played well enough that one of them should be able to start the season there. Honestly (and I know it's early) the Flames should be shopping Zadorov to see if they can move him. He has been really bad and they are fortunate that one of their young LD looks to have emerged beyond expectations. I understood the thinking in the summer but Zadorov has disappointed and Kylington has surprised.

Zadorov/Tanev were up against McDavid most of the night though

when Kylington played with Tanev they were up against pretty sad rosters...I thought Zadorov was okay, the whole team folded in the third.

He is also a vet in the preseason, I think we start judging him on the 16th

[TheIronMaiden]

I don't think Kylington is the difference between making or breaking this team.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

I don't think Kylington is the difference between making or breaking this team.

Yes but is this team the difference between making or breaking Kylington?

[D as in David]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

I think he could beat Mackey out and their contract structure leads me to believe it will happen. I think the Flames will carry 8 guys and if there is a glaring need for mobility back there Kylington gets in the lineup.

Mackey signing 925k for 2 years leads me to believe he will slide through waivers a little easier than Kylington who makes the minimum and only has this year on his deal

I believe Mackey does not have to clear waivers - I could be wrong, though.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

I don't think Kylington is the difference between making or breaking this team.

What is the difference in my opinion is who can step up. Right now the Flames would love to have Hanifin establish himself as a top pairing guy, Tanev to keep doing what he did last year, Andersson to step into a top 3/4 role, and have one of Valimaki, Kylington, Valimaki, Zadorov, Mackey step into a top 4 spot.

A lot needs to happen for this blueline to not break this team

[ForeverFlameFan]

I think Mackey will be Stockton-bound based on the fact that his first year is waivers-exempt.

Really like what I’ve seen from Kylington. I know it wouldn’t happen, but I think he is a guy more than capable of playing both D and forward. It’s been discussed on here a time or two. I think it would be advantageous to eventually have a lineup with 11F and 7D.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by D as in David

I believe Mackey does not have to clear waivers - I could be wrong, though.

Makes it even more likely Kylington makes it imo. I assume Valimaki needs to clear? Giving him top pair minutes in Stockton could really help with the development

[CroFlames]

I'm a huge fan of Kylington and the fact that he's had a good preseason leads me to believe he's finally taken that next step.

Love watching him motor around.

[FlamesAddiction]

I just really hope that he reaches the next level so Seattle regrets taking Gio over him. I still think it was a dumb move and want him to prove me right.

[GranteedEV]

Kylington isn't valuable on the bottom pair. He should be given a larger role in the top four where his skating and skill can outweigh the mistakes that are inherent to this style of play.

[Ashasx]

Just loving the Gudbranson contract more and more.

[Steve Bozek]

I think we lose him on waivers if they try to send him to Stockton

[Calgary4LIfe]

The sky is the limit for him, really.


People forget that heading into his draft year, he was universally considered a top 5 pick, even though he was undersized and underwhelming defensively. I am 100% sure I saw him as high as #3 on a list at one point, but I can't seem to find it now.



We all know he had a tough draft year, and his stock plummeted to the point that the Flames drafted him in the 2nd round. Still, what people may not remember is that he started playing against men at a younger age than Karlsson, and out-produced Karlsson. Point is, that pedigree is there pointing to a high offensive ceiling.


I think partly why we haven't seen much of him offensively is that he seemed petrified to make a mistake, and instead would defer to his teammates too much to make something happen. I think that's a partial explanation to the 'controller being on pause' when he sometimes grabbed the puck, and it seemed to take him an extra second to process his next step.


This preseason, it seems he is just saying: "I am good enough" and taking ownership of himself and his game more. Of course that's pure speculation on my part, but my narrative does seem to at least potentially explain what we were watching.


I have no idea where he ends up in the lineup. I don't think it is fair to him to leave him off the starting lineup - he has thus far been a standout and has earned a spot. I also don't think it is fair to start him on the top pairing - I think that will be setting him up to fail. Maybe he gets there this season, but he was a 6th/7th last season, so just pushing him to the top pairing and expecting him to do well against the league's best players night in and night out, could potentially erode his confidence.


I don't know where he ends up this year, but I know three things:


1) He won't play in Stockton this year
2) There is no way that the Flames would even risk exposing him on waivers this year anyway
3) This is going to be one of the more interesting stories on the Flames this season.