Kylington plans on sticking around
Defenceman eager to prove he belongs
He can’t settle in just yet, but Calgary Flames call-up Oliver Kylington has an opportunity to stick around for a while.
With fellow rookie defenceman Juuso Valimaki out week-to-week with a lower-body injury, the 21-year-old Kylington should have an extended opportunity to prove he’s ready for big-league duties.
“This is where I want to be,” Kylington said after Tuesday’s practice at the Saddledome. “I want to play up here and prove myself and prove to everybody that I can be a good NHL player and be an impact player and play my game.
“I feel I’m ready to take this jump here. My form has never been this good.”
Kylington registered seven goals and 14 points in 18 outings this fall with the American Hockey League’s Stockton Heat.
He was recalled to serve as a spare defenceman after Michael Stone was diagnosed with a blood clot in his arm, then plugged into the lineup two days later after Valimaki was injured.
Kylington logged 13:49 in Sunday’s one-sided win over the Arizona Coyotes, just his second twirl at the highest level and first since April of 2016.
“Now, I have more pro games under my belt, and I know what they want of me, and I know what I can give, too,” said Kylington, a veteran of 187 appearances in the minors. “I just feel more mature and more ready to play. I feel like an NHL player right now.”
The Flames acquired defenceman Andrew Nielsen in Tuesday ’s minor-league trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs, bidding farewell to winger Morgan Klimchuk in exchange for the 22-year-old rearguard.
Nielsen will report to the Flames’ farm team in Stockton, Calif.