[News] Flames recall Adam Klapka. Gilbert retroactively placed on IR

[Major Major]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

Don't expect Klapka to be all that physical. He's all finesse.

I wrote a feature story on him earlier this season:

https://flamesnation.ca/news/hes-a-g...hl-opportunity

So strange when a player of this size can't add the dimension of physicality to his game. Would turn him into an instant every day NHLer. Just punch someone damnit!

Wasn't Chara relatively this way until he realized that he was virtually untouchable?

[D as in David]

The Flames seem to have more than their fair share of gentle giants.

[Goriders]

Lots of similar players looking for a spot in the lineup. Great to have the competition but eventually will need spots for young forwards like Pelletier and Coronato. I think the D side is a little less complicated. I do think they will resign Hanifin. I think Tanev will get traded.

Gilbert, Desimone, Oesterle (for this season) and potentially Kylington will probably fill any gaps.

I’m thinking Backlund, Kadri, Huberdeau, Zary, Pospisal, Coleman and maybe Mangiapane and Greer are the forwards that have earned a spot.

I’m pretty sure Lindholm is leaving at some point. Ruzicka and Dube are the other players on the bubble.

Goaltending is the big surplus. All three have played well. Markstrom is on fire right now. Tricky one to maneuver.

The next month and a half could be very interesting. Conroy could be very active. Hopefully the roster can be rejigged along with making some space for younger players.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Klap-ka for the Wolfman.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Major Major

So strange when a player of this size can't add the dimension of physicality to his game. Would turn him into an instant every day NHLer. Just punch someone damnit!

Wasn't Chara relatively this way until he realized that he was virtually untouchable?

Well with Chara as he matured and added strength and muscle to go with his natural size then it happened.

Maybe the same could happen with Klapka. He's super tall but doesn't seem to be that strong from what I've seen.

He's only 23 so there is still time for him to add that element a bit more as he gets bigger and stronger.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by Hot_Flatus

I don't mind this - Klapka deserves a shot, but I do start to wonder what the plan is with Coronato.

Obviously the Flames aren't calling Coronato up to play on the 4th line, but they do need to make room for him to get back into the show sooner than later. He's done nothing but produce in the AHL with 29 points in 26 games or whatever it is.

Pelletier is also going to be pushing to get back in as well so does this mean that Dube and Ruzicka are the next on the list to hit waivers to make room for two prospects that should be in the NHL? At some point Wolf needs to stick as well.....many many things that need to take shape in the coming weeks.

Yeah, I've been saying for a while now that we have a glut of wingers and ought to move some to clear the logjam. Problem is that they're playing well enough that you don't want to move them and/or they are under team control so you don't HAVE to move them. If you subscribe to the idea that the 4th line has to have some kind of defined role that makes it more difficult as well.

The easiest solution in the short-term is move Dube & Pospisil takes his spot in the line-up then Pelletier or Coronoto fills in the vacant spot and then Lindholm is moved and you shift a winger to C (Sharangovich or Zary most likely) and the other one moves into that spot. No guarantee they would excel at playing C but it's the easiest way to make room for those two in the back half of this season that aligns with other things (Lindholm's pending free agency).

[gvitaly]

I'm a little surprised it's Klapka. 1G, 3P in the last 12GP.

Best of luck kid! Hope to see the scoring touch you showed in the first 21 games this season.

[Sec214]

The Czech Mountain Man.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Well with Chara as he matured and added strength and muscle to go with his natural size then it happened.

Maybe the same could happen with Klapka. He's super tall but doesn't seem to be that strong from what I've seen.

He's only 23 so there is still time for him to add that element a bit more as he gets bigger and stronger.

Same in a different way with Jagr, who evolved from a middle of the ice dangler into a guy who just bullied his way around the corners, and used his size to protect the puck. That's how I see Klapka (and guys like Ruzicka)

[Badgers Nose]

Klapka for the Wolfman! Let's see them both get starts soon!

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Conroy wasn't joking around when he got hired and said he'd give some of the young guys a chance with the big club. I love it. Not only do we finally get to see a bunch of prospects show us what they 're made of, but it shows the players on the farm team that they will get a chance if they work for it. Win-win.

[drewtastic]

Originally Posted by Jay Random

In a 4th-line role, I'm more interested in his defensive ability; especially if he plays in front of the rookie in goal.

Can he Klap for the Wolfman?

My avatar approves this message.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Radium Zohorna cleared waivers yesterday... so that option was there.

[Badgers Nose]

Haha! Great minds think alike/pun was obvious.

[Redrum]

Originally Posted by D as in David

The Flames seem to have more than their fair share of gentle giants.

Shoulda brought up Gallant. He does not fit that description.

[Calgary4LIfe]

I said it once and I will say it again - Klapka has all the tools to be a complete PIA as a shutdown shadow. His skating, reach and strength can be smothering out there if he is unable to generate offence.


I just hope he doesn't feel the need to do too much and scrap. He should be wildly effective on the forecheck. Rooting for him tonight.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by Badgers Nose

Haha! Great minds think alike/pun was obvious.

As I like to say on such occasions:

‘Great minds think alike (and so do ours).’

[Moneyhands23]

Oh baby!!!

[activeStick]

This will be fun. People are going to look at his size and then be super annoyed that he isn't mean or physical.

[memphusk]

Originally Posted by Redrum

Shoulda brought up Gallant. He does not fit that description.

A career AHLer that won't move the needle?