Oliver Kylington: a shilling for your thoughts...

[Coach]

Originally Posted by Poe969

They will lose him on waivers. They'll keep Gudbranson on the bottom pairing with stone. Tannev, Hanifin, Andersson, and zadorov will be top 4. They don't want to look bad for signing Gudbranson then not playing him.

Trelivings had a few rough signings in FA. He's never had a problem rectifying it via trade/buyout/etc...

I hate the Gudbranson deal. Hopefully they can get rid of it somehow. Don't really care if it hits Edwards' pockets.

[Drunk Uncle]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

He's played top 4 minutes in every game this pre-season under Sutter, I'd be a bit surprised if Sutter didn't like him.

I also think we carry 8 d-men to start the year.

Agree on the 8D and think they'll swap Gudbranson for Stone and Valimaki for Kylington game to game based on play.

Sutter values having older vets with younger kids.

[N-E-B]

The way I see it, if I were the coach there would be three guys competing for the last spot and the 7th spot. Hanifin, Andersson, Tanev, Kylington, and Valimaki are all on my blue line. That leaves Stone, Zadorov, and Gudbranson battling for the final two spots (rotating in and out of the 7th position).

Right now it's Stone and Zadorov making it, Gudbranson can say hello to the waiver wire and start looking for real estate in Northern California.

[mile]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1445478906513948677


Huska with a lot of praise for Kylington here from 3:36 on.
Also said that Kylington has played well with everyone he's been paired with. And mentioned that Gudbranson has settled in nicely in his last couple games, which I agree with.

[Drunk Uncle]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

You know what makes you look bad? Losing.

They'll play whoever they think will help them win.

And the thing with Gudbranson is he had an awful first preseason game but he has been passable in the games since. Nobody is going to mistake him for a top 4 d-man but he also hasn't been the worst D on the ice in either of those games.

There would be no reason to waive him. He is one of the best 7 defenders we have.

To me the Gudbranson discussion is predicated on a JFresh chart that shows he has negative value based on a rolling 3 year average where he had poor numbers on an awful team for most of last year and ignoring the year before where he was a pretty decent defender.

I expect that Gudbranson will be a decent bottom pairing guy for the Flames in a sort-of Engelland-light way.

[stemit14]

Would love to see Kylington emerge as a legit top four defenceman this year. Hopefully he makes the team and is put into a position to succeed. Would be great to see him paired with Tanev. Tanev complimented Hughes’ game so well. Obviously none of the flames’ defencemen are as skilled as Hughes but Kylington’s skillset is definitely the most similar.


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[Hockey-and_stuff]

I'd prefer Mackey go down to play, Gudbranson as the 7D and Stone in the minors.

Hanifin-Andersson
Kylington-Tanev
Valimaki-Zadorov
Gudbranson

Keeps someone on each pair who is either mobile or a decent passer to give the forwards a chance to receive a pass and play with some speed.

I think Zadorov-Andersson cannot be a pair under any circumstances. Not enough footspeed to defend against scoring lines there.

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[Macho0978]

I’d prefer to put Kylington in a position to succeed and build confidence early. Tanev will be on the ice against the best players on the planet every night. Maybe if he plays well we can give it a try but not to start the season. He’s not Quinn Hughes

[Ragnar]

I think Kylington makes the opening night roster, but at the expense of Valimaki.

[SuperMatt18]

If they don't carry 8 d-men then I think you see Stone as the guy that gets waived, and Kylington/Valimaki battling for ice time.

It would be:

Hanifin - Andersson
Zadorov - Tanev
Kylington/Valimaki - Gudbranson

Based on pre-season perfromance so far it would like be Kylington on the ice and Valimaki in the press box for game 1.

[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.

[chedder]

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.

Next player to demand a trade then go to a team that uses him and he excels?

[Calgary4LIfe]

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.

I agree that he has shown to have a strong character. At the draft, there was some noise about this kid not being 'coachable' and perhaps being a bit of a problem child. After 6 seasons, I have yet to hear or see one negative peep about his character or his effort.

[jaikorven]

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.

Out of thanks because I tend to just throw them around, but anyway thanks for this. I think Killington will be great if the Flames give him a bit more runway and responsibility...fingers crossed

[SeanCharles]

He will make the team.

So will Valimaki.

These two would not pass through waivers if exposed and they both need NHL minutes to continue to improve. Anyone who thinks we are going to expose Valimaki are being foolish.

Mackey is waiver exempt so he can rack up the points in Stockton with Kinnvall.

Hanifin, Andersson, Tanev, Valimaki, Zadorov and Kylington are locks in my mind and I think there is a decent chance we carry 8 dmen to start the year as I'm not convinced Stone would report to Stockton given his deep Calgary roots.

It will be interesting to see how this plays out because I think Gawdin and Duehr have earned a chance at a forward spot.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by Coach

Trelivings had a few rough signings in FA. He's never had a problem rectifying it via trade/buyout/etc...

I hate the Gudbranson deal. Hopefully they can get rid of it somehow. Don't really care if it hits Edwards' pockets.

It's only a 1 year deal.
I don't like the player or the fact they signed him. But it's not going to hurt over the long-run.

[flambers]

Originally Posted by Ragnar

I think Kylington makes the opening night roster, but at the expense of Valimaki.

I would guess the opposite, Valimaki will make the team.

Should be interesting to see the final cuts.

[TheScorpion]

On merit, Kylington has absolutely earned a spot in the top six. I'd like to see him play a full 82-game season in the NHL.

[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.

[djsFlames]

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

Can confirm: There is a need for mobility back there.