What are the Flames’ options if Oliver Kylington doesn’t return? Mailbag

I’m really excited about this inaugural edition of the McKenzie mailbag. I’ve wanted to do this since I took this job and I can’t wait to dive in. Thank you to everyone who submitted a question. We’ll get to more next month, with a twist.

In this one, Dan Vladar, Oliver Kylington and Jonathan Huberdeau are the main topics of discussion. Thanks again for your questions!

Note: Submitted questions may be edited for clarity and style.

Don’t need any specific, personal updates, but wondering what are the cap implications if Oliver Kylington doesn’t return? Are they limited at this point to LTIR as their only recourse to get any relief rather than being stuck with the full cap hit for a player who hasn’t played a minute for them this season?

There is an entire section of the CBA that deals with players who have not reported and what the salary implications would be (ie a player who hasn’t reported doesn’t get paid, and a player who doesn’t get paid doesn’t count against the cap). There are also recent examples of non-reporting players on personal leave not being paid and not counting against the cap at all for their teams — Alexandre Texier for Columbus and Travis Hamonic for Vancouver come to mind.

That section seems like no longer an option for Kylington, as he’s been getting paid and counting against the cap all year.

Now that it seems more likely he may miss the entire season, wondering if there are any other options available to help get some relief from the $2.5 million cap hit? LTIR doesn’t provide a ton of flexibility it seems. — Jeff H.

Big hat tip to Hart Levine of PuckPedia for helping me understand this. I consider myself a noob about the salary cap and collective bargaining agreement, so everything helps.

As it stands, we don’t know if Kylington is coming back to the Flames this season. While I’m sure the team is well aware of why Kylington is away, and they’ve asked the media to respect his privacy, my genuine sense from talking to team officials is that they are also in the dark about a potential return. But my understanding is that the Flames are better off not putting his salary on long-term injured reserve and just having him as a non-roster player.

The Flames are still under the salary cap, meaning they’re able to accrue cap space. The Flames could have between $4-6 million in cap space by March 3. By comparison, Kylington’s cap hit is $2.5 million.

Treliving didn’t get into specifics in our Q&A, but he did acknowledge that he was “confident” something could be done with his contract from a salary cap perspective. There’s a good chance that this is a plan they’d consider without having to jump into long-term injured reserve. Also, if the Flames can’t count on his services, I think it gives them even more reason for them to shop for a defenseman ahead of the deadline.

Who do you reckon is the most likely trade target? — Axel W.

Last month, I listed out a few trade targets on my trade board that included forwards and defensemen. While Treliving has made no secret of wanting a forward, we had our suspicions that he might want a defenseman as well. In our latest Q&A, the Flames GM told The Athletic that he’s looking out to see what depth he can get on the blue line.

Acquiring Luke Schenn, a right-handed defenseman on an expiring contract worth under $1 million, makes a ton of sense. The Canucks blueliner, however, could be a hot commodity ahead of the deadline.

The Flames’ salary cap constraints will likely keep them out of the sweepstakes for bigger names like Timo Meier, though. Treliving told us he’s been “reluctant” to give up assets for a player on the rental market in the past. But recent history says he’ll do it if it just means parting with draft picks, as was the case with Calle Jarnkrok last year and much smaller acquisitions like Ryan Carpenter and Erik Gustafsson. If our recent interview is any indication, Treliving might also want an “under the radar” guy who can be called upon to fill a top-six role.

One player I’d like to see the Flames pursue is Anthony Duclair. The Florida Panthers are in a bit of a salary cap bind and would need to make some moves to fit him in once he recovers from the Achilles injury he suffered in the offseason. There’s some risk with acquiring a player who’s been sidelined all season but he can play both wings and only costs $3 million this season and next. Also, he’s very familiar with fellow Quebecer and former teammate Jonathan Huberdeau. The two were linemates last season during Huberdeau’s career-best year. As other teams circle the wagons on high-priced forward options like Meier, the Flames should consider Duclair as a buy-low option if they’re not interested in a pure rental or hampering their salary cap for a much more expensive player.

How do Jonathan Huberdeau’s linemates and role compare to the ones he had in Florida? It seems that he’s being asked to create more in Calgary. Is there a lineup that you think would match what he had in Florida? — Iain G.

How has the 17-91-10 line actually measured up analytically? Thanks, Julian! — Jeffrey M.

Let’s lump these two questions together.

As mentioned in the question above, Huberdeau spent most of last season with Duclair and former Flames forward Sam Bennett. Huberdeau’s numbers were off the charts, and he was a much better finisher last season compared to the present day in Calgary.

For those curious about his time in Florida, here are his advanced stats below with Bennett and Duclair from last season.

While I was surprised to see Jakob Pelletier play on a line with Huberdeau and Kadri, I see the logic. He’s a quicker player with offensive instincts and he looked fine alongside the two veterans. He managed to get chances while also completing passes and keeping possession. If the goals and points come, maybe he’s the answer. If not, the Flames need to acquire a forward with Huberdeau in mind.

What do you think of Dan Vladar’s progress? Markstrom has been spotty at times this season, and Vladar seems to be more consistent when he plays. In your opinion, does Darryl Sutter need to consider giving Vladar more starts in the second half? — Shane J.

After his win over Seattle just before the break, Vladar moved into a three-way tie for the longest streak without a regulation loss by a Flames goaltender with David Rittich and Mike Vernon. He hasn’t played every game perfectly, but he’s done enough to make sure his team is competitive.

This is also interesting: the Flames have basically already split both goaltenders in 2023. Markstrom has made seven appearances and Vladar has played six. If you take it from Jan. 10 — the day the Flames played Game No. 42 — both goalies have played four games.

While Markstrom is the guy, and he’s certainly paid like a No. 1, the Flames aren’t completely ignoring Vladar’s hot hand.

All data collected from Natural Stat Trick