Craig Conroy on Sportsnet 960 just now said that it sounds like Oliver Kylington will test free agency.
Good thing we have two really good D prospects coming down the pipeline!
3, Poirier will get a legitimate shot because of this
Honestly don’t really care. At the end of the day he’s a third pairing defenseman without Chris Tanev to shelter him. Those minutes can and should go to Jeremie Poirier.
What a kick in the nuts! The Flames organization has been garbage in many ways, but by all accounts, they did alright by Shilly.
I really wonder what Sutter did in that locker room because it perfectly aligns with Kylington taking leave for mental health reasons and why franchise players demanded out thereafter. "Coach of the Year" resulted in nearly a 50% turn-over rate in skating roster.
I'm honestly curious at what other teams will pay for him. If his camp thinks the Flames aren't offering enough, how will other GMs value a D man who has half a season of play in two years?
I'm guessing the sticking issue is term.
Same issue though, I can't imagine too many teams would be all too amped up about giving him a ton of term until it's established that he is truly back.
I was all but certain he would get a 1-2 year "show me" kind of contract with decent but not exceptional money. Like 1 year, 3m, or 2 year, 2.5m type range.
I guess we will see. Maybe the agent knows more than us.
I agree. He's only been back for half a season.
What your saying makes complete sense but I thought about this for a bit here and I could certainly see a different perspective.
Kylington has some, seemingly, mental health issues and probably already has established a decent support system in Calgary. One of his medical objectives may very well be to have a continued stable support system / home life.
Asking for term on that basis doesn't seem unreasonable. I don't think anyone in that situation wants to be bounced around from team to team worrying about outside factors (not to mention the stress of just moving) without being in a decent head space.
From Calgary's perspective, it's a bit weird; they don't really have a lot to lose.
They already supported him so that seems like they like the guy for one. For another, Calgary isn't going to be competitive for another 3-5 years anyways and we have money to burn. Though I am pretty sure Kylington is likely offering a discount for obvious reasons anyways. Just don't sign a NTC / NMC and I think it's a reasonable risk.
Kylington showed, with 2 years off, that he isn't that rusty, which is already impressive. Not to say he doesn't / can't drop off like a rock tomorrow. Just that he showed reasonable effort to get back into the game last season.
Sure if he is asking for 8x3.5/4 or something... then obviously no. But 5x2? Is that really a risk?
I wouldn’t want to give him term after he burned two years.
Only the Flames Org exactly what Kylington went through. Other clubs are going to ask and I don't know how much the Flames Org can divulge.
But if Shilly lights it up elsewhere, that hurts both his fans and supporters of the rights and well-being of people suffering from mental health conditions.
Him looking for term makes sense, knowing he's likely a liability for any club and this could be his last paycheck. But you'd think after the Flames were patient, supportive, and kept discretion and respect that Shilly would have a degree of loyalty.
Not many. Maybe a SJ or Columbus .
Probably 2.5x2 ?
And you don't imagine the Flames would offer that?
I have a feeling Kylington wants something like 6x4.5 as the cap is going up significantly. He probably sees himself as a top 4 d-man and wants to get paid like it.
I think Kylington, when he was playing his best, is worth that, but we don't know if he can play at that level again.
He’s played like 20 games in 2 years, he’s delusional if that’s what he wants
Flames are having a rough year. At least the draft was good
It's been a rough couple years
We've had one good season since 1990.
That is blatantly untrue
In the 33 years since we won the cup, we have only made it out of the first round 3 times; that's one cup visit and 2 losses in the conference semis. And we missed the playoffs 17 times including one stretch where we missed the playoffs 7 years in a row.
We have been BAD, very very bad for most of the last 3 decades. The Flames have been, and always will be, my team, but I also won't sugarcoat the truth.
Source: https://www.sportskeeda.com/us/nhl/calgary-flames-playoff-history
What is you definition of a good season because I think 2015 was a good season
I know he’s not an irreplacable player, but because of his story and journey coming back, it will be sad to see him go. :(
Bruts, no wonder he’s loading up on offensive d Men
Some of the guys we picked up will be able to take his spot in a couple of years anyways, not a big loss
Sucks but it is what it is. I believe that means Backs and Ras are now the sole remaining members from the 2021-2022 roster, crazy how much has changed. Keeping Kylington would have been nice but selfishly I think it will continue to weaken our D core, meaning a better chance at a high pick.
(Reminder for the random Habs fans that might come in here that the 2025 pick is top 1 protected and we only give you our first if Florida is also a bottom 10 team)
Add Coleman and Vladar to your list. So four left. Still crazy though.
And Walker Duehr!
Technically yes, I suppose. Though Duehr only played a single game for the Flames in 21-22.
"Am I a joke to you?" - Walker Duehr, probably.
Rip my newly stitched Kylington jersey
Don’t feel bad, I have a brand new Sven Baerstchi jersey hanging in the back of my closet…
Tucked neatly behind my Tkachuk jersey 😢
That’s on you lol
This is wrong.
The team stood by him when he was having issues.
Unless the Flames are not in touch with reality he really should pay it back and play here for at least one season at a reasonable market value. The team did him a solid. I think the team deserves to be treated better.
After that if he feels he has proven that he deserves more, then fair enough.
You might get downvoted but you are right. This leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Team and fanbase stood by him no questions asked.
Yeah honestly fuck this guy. Good riddance that’s bad character in my books.
For all we know the Flames don't have him penciled in as a critical piece and are low balling him significantly.
In any case, would this whole situation be treated the same if he was out for a physical injury?
Free Agency is where you go to get overpaid. Somebody will do it. He seems like a warm climate less media kind of guy
If he wants to go somewhere quieter I really cant blame him then knowing his story
Sure calgary is a more interested market, but the noise around him has been exclusively supportive and positive.
As much as I know that you should treat mental health issues the same as physical health, I can’t help but feel a bit betrayed by this from the Kylington camp. No other industry would you get paid in full for a year and a half without working with only 2 years of service time. We stood by him in his darkest hours. But I can attest from a sufferer of Anxiety/Depression, that I take Sertraline for daily, that stability is so important and he’s probably looking for a really long term deal that he can relax into, instead of constant short term “prove it” contracts. The world just isn’t a fair place.
I feel betrayed
You got to be kidding me, after all they did for him
I respect it. You can get in a freak accident tomorrow and your career is done. Get as much money as you can when you can
At the same time, for the next year or two, I can't imagine many teams are willing to give him a lot of term until its established he's back fully.
To some degree yes but he’s the one contract I thought we didn’t need to worry about
I would think the flames would be offering one of the best contracts
He's not obligated to play of us bc of that. If anything I prefer that the Flames will support a player experiencing a mental health crisis, no strings attached.
Not obligated at all no. But can be pissed off about the situation. Two years of his contract got burned, because he was understandably dealing with personal issue, then doesn't resign once he comes back. It would be no different if he had a 2 year knee injury or something, I'd still be annoyed losing 2 years of play from a guy, then he moves on for greener pastures.
Bruh
Shitty but I get it. He doesn’t fit our window and Craig isn’t doing long contracts right now which is very smart. I hope wherever he ends up he thrives
:(
Unfortunate. I’m not going to hate on him. The last few years have been rough for him and he might just want a fresh start.
I hope the best for you killy!!
Agents will always push their player for the biggest contract and to test free agency. Agents get paid more the bigger the contract plus the players union is like any other union. They want the players to always get the most they can.
My guess is he wants to gauge the market. I suspect Conroy and he will talk again.
A little loyalty would be nice all things considered. I would have expected a discount if anything, but I guess that’s business!
Maybe he still comes back and signs with the Flames after seeing what’s available.
I highly doubt that.
Well, that’s pretty disappointing :(
I have a feeling Craig isn’t willing to commit to him long term given Kyllington’s history.
Frustrating.
What the fuck lol
Maybe Conroy doesn’t want to give him term, he’d know more than most.
Does he deserve term?
If it was my money - 1yr is all I’d be offering.
This makes me so frustrated
He still could sign with us though right? I mean I know it barely ever happens but in theory a player could test free agency and go back to their original team if the offer is still on the table.
31 other teams though. Lets say 12 can afford him. 6 will make offers. Calgary will have to beat all those. And thats off the top of my head. His is a unique situation though. I aint holding out hope is what im trying to say.
If he is asking for term, then time for Flames to pivot to some UFA defensemen. We will need a veteran no presence to help stabilize and mentor the young players.
I mean I would like to have him back but he's realistically not going to be part of the long term plan so I get it. It's not like we were going to give him 8 years anyways so he could absolutely still circle back
Problem is … he can’t really play D … so all the best.
And his offence isn’t anything crazy either
I've been downvoted into oblivion for saying that for years...
And he won’t be paired up with Tanev, so there’s that too.
It's honestly not super surprising that someone who has gone through challenges would want a fresh start somewhere
Good
I guess it was officially a mistake protecting him over gio. Think he comes home now to retire a flame?
Glad we are just handing out shitty contracts anymore for the ‘warm and fuzzy feelings’. In Conny we trust
It's just some random person on X making unfounded claims. Conroy never said Kylington will test free agency; he only mentioned that they are still working away at it and there’s no update. He added that if a player puts in the time and becomes a free agent, that's their right. It's exactly the kind of diplomatic non-answer I would expect from Conroy.
That's a bummer I think he's a great dude to keep around
Words. That’s all they were.
Should have cut his ass loose when he was sitting at home collecting free paycheques
Yea hopefully no one signs him
I'm suprised by this, after all Calgary has done for him, supported him and were patient with him. Dosnt make sense. I was shocked when I heard Connie say that. Fingers crossed he puts pen to paper here in Calgary.
So our defense is Andersson, Weegar, Demidov and.......?
Edit: LOL, Miramonov, not Demidov. Name must have got stuck in my head after looking at draft coverage so much
Demidov? lol. Miromanov, Ball, Pachal, Hanley
Whoops, guess I got the name stuck in my head after watching the draft all last night and this morning
Ball?
Bahl. Same difference.
TBF we are suppose to suck the next 2 seasons
He could still re-sign lol. Not sure what the doom and gloom is about, we have a ton of cap space. Agent is trying to apply leverage to get his client the best deal, as is his job
Don’t really get why? We can give more money and ice time than most teams?
Maybe Utah can give him a better deal
I read they were at odds over term
I mean, I love the guy, but he just spent a huge chunk of his last contract on a mental break. Who in their right mind is gonna offer him term?
Gonna break my fucking heart to lose him. I hope he ends up on a team that appreciates him and that I can follow without feeling sick
Nice. Sign the guy for 2 years at an overpriced contract, and he plays 2 months. Just to get his stock up. Goes to show that these players look after themselves first.
Fuck Kylington. Clearly not putting the needs of u/sawdust_84 before his own. So selfish.
Exactly.
This franchise is cursed
What a bum. Any team that signs him should know he's a total headcase and unreliable
Absolutely typical.
Hope we boo him when he plays in Calgary actually hilarious how often players just bait and switch us to fuck us over.
Or we could show some class and not act like entitled twats.
Careful he could go postal!
Should of been gone years ago. This is on par.
I mean if he’s got love elsewhere good for him. He’s earned that right as a UFA to go where he please’s
Monday will be fun Flames fans. This draft was the first step on the way out of this shit
Not really. The years he spent not playing really should not count towards getting UFA status. He never earned it.
Who’s at fault for this nonsense, but also, hey man, all the power to him. We rebuilding, all good.
It's nobody's fault. It's a business. Gretzky got traded, tavares left, Tkachuk asked for a trade. Shit happens.
Exactly, I was just being a silly fella. Guy owes us/the team nothing tbh.
Yup. Is what it is
Nobody wants to play in Calgary lol
No one wants to stay in Calgary …they’re going to need to do something to attract and keep quality players here
He doesnt even play hes a mental headcase
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Ugh….