Justin Kirkland: from dime-a-dozen AHLer to potential NHL fourth line candidate
Time for more good vibes.
Kirkland never really excited me much before this year, but man has he ever been terrific for the 2021–22 Heat. He's a big winger with surprisingly soft hands and a wicked shot that Dustin Wolf says is "pinpoint accurate."
Before this year, Kirkland had 33 goals in his first five AHL seasons combined. After setting new goals for himself with first-year Heat coach Mitch Love before this season, the 25-year-old Kirkland finished sixth in the entire league with 219 shots and seemingly turned into a high-end sniper overnight.
Wolf posted three shutouts in Stockton's Pacific Division Final win over Colorado. Kirkland scored three game-winning goals.
Justin Kirkland is capping off his breakout year with a terrific playoff performance
Kirkland’s shooting percentage in 2021–22 wasn’t abnormally high — 11.4%, definitely an uptick for him but not a figure that leaps off the page. He remained a fixture on both special teams, as has been the case since he joined the Heat in 2019.
What changed, then?
“When you turn pro, it’s hard to find that translation from your junior game,” Kirkland said. “I was always thinking that my shot was maybe one of my strengths, and it was just finding that confidence to do it in pro.
“At the start of the year, I met with the coaching staff, going over what was expected of me to do for the team,” Kirkland added. “That was one of the goals that they really set out for me, to maybe hit a certain amount of shots per game, just being a little bit more simple in my game.
“Obviously, it’s translated to the puck going in the back of the net, which has been fantastic.”
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Kirkland is a pending unrestricted free agent, although it’s easy to imagine the Flames attempting to bring him back for another season or two after his breakthrough performance in 2021–22.
The Flames’ fourth line absolutely has room for a big winger with soft hands and a lethal shot. Kirkland likely won’t command a massive payday, and Calgary isn’t very far from the spot where he put down most of his roots growing up.
“I was born in Winnipeg, lived there until I was four years old, and then moved with my family to Camrose,” Kirkland said. “It’s probably where a lot of my closest friends are.
“I went to Vikings games and I grew up a die-hard Kodiaks fan, so Camrose is still a very special place to me.”
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Really liked Kirkland in the Dub; back when I was doing regular NHL Draft rankings, in 2014 I had him ranked 55th overall. Happy to see him progressing (he went 62nd overall to the Preds that yr of course).
Kirkland never really excited me much before this year, but man has he ever been terrific for the 2021–22 Heat. He's a big winger with surprisingly soft hands and a wicked shot that Dustin Wolf says is "pinpoint accurate."
Before this year, Kirkland had 33 goals in his first five AHL seasons combined. After setting new goals for himself with first-year Heat coach Mitch Love before this season, the 25-year-old Kirkland finished sixth in the entire league with 219 shots and seemingly turned into a high-end sniper overnight.
Wolf posted three shutouts in Stockton's Pacific Division Final win over Colorado. Kirkland scored three game-winning goals.
Justin Kirkland is capping off his breakout year with a terrific playoff performance
I finished giggling at your typo so I can give you an answer. It's not his best attribute but I don't think he'd have a ton of trouble keeping up as a bottom-six guy in the NHL.
Between Kirkland, Pelletier, Phillips, and Ruzicka, I think the Flames could have a really interesting variety of young guys pushing for spots in camp next year. They'll need some cheap depth players if they keep 13, 19, and 88.
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He scored some big goals this year, and some nice ones. He's got a badass shot.
There's also Duehr who really pushed in camp last year. His numbers don't look too impressive, but his game seems more suited for the NHL than some of the other AHL guys.
It will be very nice to see some of these AHLers fill spots next year. Tight cap might see 2 to 4 next year and they easily could be a big upgrade on the current depth.
I finished giggling at your typo so I can give you an answer. It's not his best attribute but I don't think he'd have a ton of trouble keeping up as a bottom-six guy in the NHL.
Between Kirkland, Pelletier, Phillips, and Ruzicka, I think the Flames could have a really interesting variety of young guys pushing for spots in camp next year. They'll need some cheap depth players if they keep 13, 19, and 88.
My first question was also about his skating. If that's the answer, I am not encouraged. If you aren't 'fast' in the AHL, you aren't fast enough for the NHL. And the Flames need more speed in their bottom 6.
Love all these reports on the AHL guys though - keep them coming please!
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My first question was also about his skating. If that's the answer, I am not encouraged. If you aren't 'fast' in the AHL, you aren't fast enough for the NHL. And the Flames need more speed in their bottom 6.
Love all these reports on the AHL guys though - keep them coming please!
Yep, I was waiting for that too. There's lots of guys that excel in the AHL with adequate skating for that level, that would look like they're skating in sand in the NHL, unfortunately.
Justin Kirkland: from dime-a-dozen AHLer to potential NHL fourth line candidate
