[Signing] Flames Sign Oliver Kylington (1 Year/ $787,500)

[TheScorpion]

Good. Now play him.

[activeStick]

Nice. It's odd, but my perception has been that for whatever reason, a small group of Flames fans have been more critical of Kylington as a prospect and his likeliness to become a full time NHLer compared to other prospects. Kylington has parts of his game that he's still developing (he is a prospect after all), but to me, there's nothing that is any different from any other young player. I'm hoping he becomes a full time Flame as his offensive mindset for the game and his skating align with the way the game has moved.

[Hockey-and_stuff]

I know some folks want more ice time for Kylington but I just don't know where it's going to come from.

He isn't a good enough defender to play top 4. He can't PK, and I'd be worried about throwing him on the power play as he tends to get caught out quite a bit.

Maybe experiment with him on PP2 and have Backlund play the other point to cover any mistakes?

[devo22]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1340009420407762944

let's do it. With Brodie gone, I'd imagine there'll be some opportunities for him or Nesterov to play on the right side.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Hockey-and_stuff

I know some folks want more ice time for Kylington but I just don't know where it's going to come from.

He isn't a good enough defender to play top 4. He can't PK, and I'd be worried about throwing him on the power play as he tends to get caught out quite a bit.

Maybe experiment with him on PP2 and have Backlund play the other point to cover any mistakes?

Being a condensed season, I think there is a pretty big opportunity to manage ice-time and have players playing up and down the line-up more often.

There are bound to be more than a normal number of back-to-back games, or 3 in 4 nights. Managing work load is going to be a science.

[dammage79]

Honestly, the fight for the 6 spot is between Nesterov and Kylington, and for the life of me I dont see Kylington winning that battle.

I love Kylington, really do but tree has stacked the deck against him and he is going to have to find another gear to win a full time spot.

The secondary battle will be Mackey, Petrovic and Kylington IMO.

[Scroopy Noopers]

Kylington is a 23 year old defence man who fell in the draft due to warts in his defensive game. He has plenty of time to earn his spot, even just practicing with the club everyday is good for him. He’ll be fine in time, he doesn’t need significant ice time this season. Unless he pops and earns it of course. But the clock isn’t ticking. I see this as well within the realm of “good, patient, development”.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Good. Now play him and get that speed (not just offensively but getting back to retrieve pucks) in the lineup.

Outside of Hanifin who has wheels on the back end? Beat pressure by getting there first. If the debate is between reach and speed, the fast guy gets there and is strong on the puck to make the next play. The rangy guy is extended and not strong on the puck.

[Burning Beard]

I'm actually really happy with how they are developing him. Slow and steady and make him earn a spot.

[Magnum PEI]

I thought he was better in 18-19 than last year.

[Vinny01]

$223k in cap space left with 22 man roster.

It is all over for the offseason unless a trade is made

[Lil Pedro]

Play this guy now Ward, he's got lots of potential but needs the opportunity

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

$223k in cap space left with 22 man roster.

It is all over for the offseason unless a trade is made

Theres going to be a trade frenzy before camp opens up. PA and league have to sign off on the seasons start before business resumes though.

[MrMike]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Theres going to be a trade frenzy before camp opens up. PA and league have to sign off on the seasons start before business resumes though.

Tampa and Vegas have a lot of work to do.

[Snuffleupagus]

Part of me thinks Kylington's problems have been because of not playing him in his comfort zone, much like Brodie he needs to play R-defense

[Jeff Lebowski]

I wrote this in that Hamonic rumour thread (VAN vs CGY) but I'm going to repeat:

Valimaki - Kylington is the new Gio - Brodie (2.0)

[JurassicTunga12]

Great that our signings are now out of the way. Hope he can secure a permanent spot with great play!

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Glad he is signed. Hopefully he gets more NHL minutes.

Although I see a massive mountain for him to climb to even beat out Nesterov for the 6 spot. Then a pretty good battle for the 7th spot. But the kid has to play. We don't even know how the farm kids are gonna get ice.

Pair Kylington with Gio, who can teach him the defensive side of the game. He has the wheels and more offensive ability than he is currently showing. I know, I’m dreaming.

[MrMike]

Originally Posted by Rick M.

Pair Kylington with Gio, who can teach him the defensive side of the game. He has the wheels and more offensive ability than he is currently showing. I know, I’m dreaming.

I wish.

My set up I'd like to see is

Hanifin - Andersson
Valimaki - Tanev
Gio - Kylington

But Gio eats too much ice time up for that to work I think.

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by transplant99

Interesting, I thought he really showed his limitations last year the more he played which prompted BT to deal for Gustafsson and Forbort at the deadline.

If my memory serves correctly, he played decently up until a certain game where he was godawful and stunk up the house, which happened to coincide with the start of deadline trade activity.

Tre loves his deadline dmen too, so I think even if he didn't have that poor stretch he would have been supplanted by a trade acquisition anyway.