Oliver Kylington: a shilling for your thoughts...

[Bonded]

Would be awesome for Valimaki and Kylington to have breakout seasons together

[Hockey-and_stuff]

Originally Posted by Bonded

Would be awesome for Valimaki and Kylington to have breakout seasons together

It would go a long way toward fixing one of the glaring issues on this team (weak defense)

If both players can be league average defensively and be productive offensively it would be a massive boost to our playoff odds.

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[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Kylington has absolutely earned it.

The two games in non-NHL rinks doesn't have the normal NHL tracking data but here is the data for the other pre-season games the Flames have played and where he ranks.

TOI/GP:
Total: 21:03 (2nd)
5v5: 16:08 (3rd)
PP: 1:31 (4th)
PK: 1:50 (6th)

5v5 Stats:
Corsi For %: 63.5% (2nd)
xGF %: 69.4% (2nd)

Sutter has played him in all situations in pre-season, and given him a real opportunity to earn a spot, and really he's proven he deserves a real look in the regular season.

I really hope he doesn't get waived because I honestly think he would get claimed this time around. Hopefully he is rewarded for what was a strong offseason (3rd in fitness testing), and what has been a strong pre-season so far.

TOI means nothing, other than Sutter is trying him out.

But the bolded, now there is a good argument for him!

[Makarov]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

TOI means nothing, other than Sutter is trying him out.

But the bolded, now there is a good argument for him!

I generally agree, but TOI might suggest that Sutter also sees promising things in practice, etc. Maybe that's a stretch but is possible.

Now, if I really wanted to stretch, I would subscribe to the conspiracy theory that some were proposing last season: the Flames recognized Kylington's elite potential last season but weren't playing him in order to hide him from the Kraken. Sounded crazy (even to fanboy me) at the time, but now seems... maybe plausible? OK, no, that's probably still crazy.

[SuperMatt18]

Yeah I only shared the TOI because to me that means Sutter has seen something he likes and is trusting him so far.

[Macman]

I think Oliver Kylington should have played more last year already as he didn't look out of place to me in the games I watched. And the Flames must like him too since he's still here and I think he will be playing a lot more this season.

[FireGilbert]

Kylington's stalled development and lack of playing time last season may have been a blessing in disguise keeping him off Seattle's radar. Hoping he sticks in the top 4 and the D isn't impacted by the Giordano loss.

[Huntingwhale]

Haven't had a chance to watch any pre-season games. But I couldn't be happier for Kylington to see him doing so well. Flames are absolutely due for a stud to break out and I can't think of a better candidate than this guy.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Kylington has absolutely earned it.

The two games in non-NHL rinks doesn't have the normal NHL tracking data but here is the data for the other pre-season games the Flames have played and where he ranks.

TOI/GP:
Total: 21:03 (2nd)
5v5: 16:08 (3rd)
PP: 1:31 (4th)
PK: 1:50 (6th)

5v5 Stats:
Corsi For %: 63.5% (2nd)
xGF %: 69.4% (2nd)

Sutter has played him in all situations in pre-season, and given him a real opportunity to earn a spot, and really he's proven he deserves a real look in the regular season.

I really hope he doesn't get waived because I honestly think he would get claimed this time around. Hopefully he is rewarded for what was a strong offseason (3rd in fitness testing), and what has been a strong pre-season so far.

The biggest game for stats is the last one though ... first time he's played with and against relatively full lineups.

TOI/GP:
Total: 21:03 (4th for D)
5v5: 16:08 (5th for D)
PP: 1:12 (1st for D)
PK: 1:36 (4th for D)

5v5 Stats:
Corsi For %: 57.4% (1st for D)
xGF %: 52.3% (3rd for D)

So numbers a little quieter, sliding into a 4/5 role for the most part, but holding his own.

The biggest thing is he didn't get exposed, and in previous seasons that was often the case. He's taken a step and is clearly in the mix.

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by Leeman4Gilmour

I have a lot of respect for Kylington.

He's been in the system, under team control, forever it feels. There were times where I felt the Flames could have shown more patience with him at the NHL level, but didn't have to. Kylington never complained, at least publicly, and all he's done is work hard (I believe he was fittest Flame or one of them this year and last) and shown incredible patience. I hope this is his year and I hope he earns himself a permanent NHL roster spot with a permanent NHL salary. He's been a great loyal soldier for the Flames. Also, I have a soft spot for smooth skating d-men. I was always pretty high on Brodie and Leopold as well.

Plus there was that workout hype video a year or two ago with slo-mo shirtless shots.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by FireGilbert

Kylington's stalled development and lack of playing time last season may have been a blessing in disguise keeping him off Seattle's radar. Hoping he sticks in the top 4 and the D isn't impacted by the Giordano loss.

People like to give Treliving a failing grade for losing Giordano, but the fact of the matter is that Valimaki and Kylington are still here. Yes, Giordano was our #1 defenseman for the last 5 years, but the bottom line is that he is 38.

Post expansion draft, Treliving walked away with:

Hanifin
Andersson
Tanev
Valimaki
Kylington

I was one of Gio's biggest fans, but considering the long term needs of the franchise, that was the best case scenario, IMO.

[flambers]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

People like to give Treliving a failing grade for losing Giordano, but the fact of the matter is that Valimaki and Kylington are still here. Yes, Giordano was our #1 defenseman for the last 5 years, but the bottom line is that he is 38.

Post expansion draft, Treliving walked away with:

Hanifin
Andersson
Tanev
Valimaki
Kylington

I was one of Gio's biggest fans, but considering the long term needs of the franchise, that was the best case scenario, IMO.

Asset management is a critical aspect with any NHL team

While its great they still have Kylington within the organization

Flames can not afford to have anymore top players leave via UFA

Flames current defense in my view are below average within NHL

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by flambers

Asset management is a critical aspect with any NHL team

While its great they still have Kylington within the organization

Flames can not afford to have anymore top players leave via UFA

Flames current defense in my view are below average within NHL

Not sure I'd agree with the bolded part.

The current defense isn't that great for sure, would agree with that ... but that wouldn't be the case at all if all three of Valimaki, Andersson and Kylington didn't flat line. Hopefully they bounce back.

But I think teams that have a "can't lose a top UFA" rule get themselves in more trouble than the teams that put a line in the sand on contract length at x age and stick with it.

Cap space is huge, and likely more important than losing a key piece for nothing in the modern era.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

People like to give Treliving a failing grade for losing Giordano, but the fact of the matter is that Valimaki and Kylington are still here. Yes, Giordano was our #1 defenseman for the last 5 years, but the bottom line is that he is 38.

Post expansion draft, Treliving walked away with:

Hanifin
Andersson
Tanev
Valimaki
Kylington

I was one of Gio's biggest fans, but considering the long term needs of the franchise, that was the best case scenario, IMO.

Losing Gio has opened the door for Kylington, and I really think he runs away with it.

[Poe969]

I think that's what flambers means. You draw a line in the sand as to what kind of contract you want to give them, if they don't sign it then you have to trade them instead of just letting them walk. They have to start looking at it like a business and do what is best for the team. They've let our former top pair of defense walk for nothing and that's set the team back even further (I guess it depends on how the kids do) but if they would have traded Brodie for any assets instead of having him play a few playoff games, they'd be further ahead now because they'd have something to show for it.

Look at CBJ when they let their 2 best players walk for nothing, it sucks and has them struggling to be what they were before, and even that wasn't that good. The team just needs to take a hard look at the contract negotiations and ask if the player is worth more on their team or a different team.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by flambers

Asset management is a critical aspect with any NHL team

While its great they still have Kylington within the organization

Flames can not afford to have anymore top players leave via UFA

Flames current defense in my view are below average within NHL

UFAs had nothing to do with my post

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Not sure I'd agree with the bolded part.

The current defense isn't that great for sure, would agree with that ... but that wouldn't be the case at all if all three of Valimaki, Andersson and Kylington didn't flat line. Hopefully they bounce back.

But I think teams that have a "can't lose a top UFA" rule get themselves in more trouble than the teams that put a line in the sand on contract length at x age and stick with it.

Cap space is huge, and likely more important than losing a key piece for nothing in the modern era.

I agree 'generally', but I feel that the Flames are simply a team that can't afford to bleed assets.


Tampa, NYR, Florida (now anyway), Vegas - these teams do attract UFAs, and they usually don't have to overpay. They also have the benefit of not worrying about players having their organizations on their NTCs. This is a significant advantage to team building.


It is a tough place for Treliving to be in, that's for sure, but perhaps the 2014-15 unexpected run to the 2nd round, plus the 2018-19 2nd overall finish really set this organization back in some ways. I thought some of Treliving's best work was selling on Glencross, Hudler and Russell. He didn't allow players to leave for free.


I do think that Brodie should have been traded in the previous off-season, and that once the Kadri trade fell-through, that Treliving had no choice but to find another buyer. I also think that perhaps Giordano should have been traded in the off-season that they signed Tanev. I know, easier said than done, and optics would have played a part in it to be fair. It is easy to question hindsight.


I just look at the Flames as an organization that has won 3 playoff games in 6 seasons, and see an organization that can not afford to let UFAs go. Until they become a more attractive organization (through winning), they just have to be a more business-like team. If I told you 3 years ago that both Brodie and Giordano would be lost for nothing, you wouldn't have believed me. I know I wouldn't have believed myself.


After the 2014-15 season, Calgary was one of the final 4 teams that Panarin was considering, so it isn't like attracting talent is out of the question. Start winning, and things change. Until then, I really do think they have to be absolutely prudent and proactive in moving players rather than allow them to leave for free.

[Toonage]

Friedman talking about Kylington in 32 thoughts. Flames have to keep him on the team at this point IMO

https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article...ners-comments/

15. I’m really careful about the first week of pre-season. The best players aren’t dialled in. But if there’s one player who piqued my interest, it was Calgary’s Oliver Kylington. He had one 25-minute game, and it is clear Calgary is giving him exhibition opportunity. But the Flames have a lot of defencemen, and Kylington is not waiver-exempt. (Bonus: His Instagram game is very good.)

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Poe969

I think that's what flambers means. You draw a line in the sand as to what kind of contract you want to give them, if they don't sign it then you have to trade them instead of just letting them walk. They have to start looking at it like a business and do what is best for the team. They've let our former top pair of defense walk for nothing and that's set the team back even further (I guess it depends on how the kids do) but if they would have traded Brodie for any assets instead of having him play a few playoff games, they'd be further ahead now because they'd have something to show for it.

Look at CBJ when they let their 2 best players walk for nothing, it sucks and has them struggling to be what they were before, and even that wasn't that good. The team just needs to take a hard look at the contract negotiations and ask if the player is worth more on their team or a different team.

I think you're going to be disappointed pretty consistently if you expect teams that see themselves headed to the playoffs trading top pairing defensemen in order to avoid losing them for nothing.

That just doesn't happen ... or rarely if it does.

Columbus couldn't stomach it ... neither could Calgary. At least they won the play in and had some games to show for it.

In the end they gained a defenseman the same day they lost Brodie so the net difference was negligible.

I like the idea though ... we're just a bubble team so lets deal our impending UFA and restock. Just don't see it as likely.

[SeanCharles]

Originally Posted by flambers

Asset management is a critical aspect with any NHL team

While its great they still have Kylington within the organization

Flames can not afford to have anymore top players leave via UFA

Flames current defense in my view are below average within NHL

This may be true in theory but I believe Hanifin, Valimaki, Andersson, Kylington and even Mackey’s continued development will change that fact.