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Calgary Flames Extend Or Sell: Oliver Kylington

By Nathan Smith

CALGARY, AB - MAY 20: Oliver Kylington #58 of the Calgary Flames in action against the Edmonton Oilers during Game Two of the Second Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Saddledome on May 20, 2022 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The Oilers defeated the Flames 5-3. (Photo by Derek Leung/Getty Images)
CALGARY, AB - MAY 20: Oliver Kylington #58 of the Calgary Flames in action against the Edmonton Oilers during Game Two of the Second Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Saddledome on May 20, 2022 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The Oilers defeated the Flames 5-3. (Photo by Derek Leung/Getty Images) /
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The Calgary Flames struggled for the majority of the 2022-23 season, despite some strong periods throughout the year, and while the story may have flown under the radar, the team certainly missed the blue line speed and creativity from Oliver Kylington. The 26-year old missed the entire season due to undisclosed personal reasons, and after hearing very little about him throughout the year, it was revealed that he’s ready to come back for the 2023-24 season, with his role likely key to their success this upcoming year.

Now, before they even see him back on the ice in a regular season game, the Flames may have a big decision to make on their former second-round pick, as he is set to become a free agent at the end of the 2023-24 campaign. Unlike Elias Lindholm, Tyler Toffoli and Noah Hanifin, Kylington doesn’t have a proven track record and will likely not pull in a huge return for the Flames, which should no doubt influence their decision on his future.

Beyond that, Kylington has built fantastic chemistry with veteran Chris Tanev in his time with Calgary, and if the team do look to move Hanifin, which is the prevailing opinion, he will be needed to play key minutes on the second pairing, but that begs the question, do they extend him, or let him play out the season and risk losing him for nothing next off-season?

While it may be tempting for Calgary to continue selling to ensure the same thing doesn’t happen to them as it did with Johnny Gaudreau, Kylington is still young and hasn’t played in the NHL since the dreaded 2022 playoff loss to Edmonton, so they need to be patient in letting this one play out. The 2021-22 campaign was Kylington’s first full season in the NHL, and he ended the year with 9 goals and 22 assists for 31 points, so they may need to see him on the ice once again before they make a true decision regarding his future.

Verdict: The Calgary Flames believe they have a genuine piece of their future in Oliver Kylington, so on the surface, an extension makes sense, but after a year away from the NHL, they just don’t know where he’s at right now, so the Flames should look to head into the season with Kylington playing a key role, and if he can bring the spark we’ve seen in the future, a mid-season extension of 3-4 years makes perfect sense. 

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