Sports Take

The Calgary Flames have a decision to make, keep Jakob Pelletier or send him on waivers. On the surface this doesn’t seem to be that big a deal right? Considering Pelletier is 23 years old, a former first round pick, only played in 37 games with 10 points in his career. It’s almost a certainty if he goes through waivers he will get claimed, I can think of quite a few teams who are aware and ready to pounce on the waiver wire if he shows up there. Those teams I believe would be the Montreal Canadiens, Chicago Blackhawks, San Jose Sharks, St. Louis Blues, Columbus Blue Jackets, Anaheim Ducks, Utah HC, and the Buffalo Sabres. 8 teams who give up nothing and get a potential 20-30 goal scorer in the league under the right situation.

The Sharks look to be a front runner for their team, adding a winger to play along side Tyler Toffoli and Macklin Celebrini, the Canadiens enjoy having a Quebec born player, the Blackhawks would add a little more youth and energy. Utah would get a player who fits into what their trying to build for the future.

Now the question is, why are the Flames considering this? Well there isn’t a spot on the roster for him. Sam Honzek has taken that spot on the second line potentially. Also considering he’s not in the final preseason game it’s starting to look like Pelletier is on his way to the waiver wire. Sam Morton also had a fantastic camp and looks to be one of the first call-ups of the year.

Looking at the Flames depth charts on www.puckpedia.com I don’t see a spot for Pelletier at all and I don’t see him being among the first to be called up, the issue with sending him down is poor asset management, losing a former first round pick for absolutely nothing.