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Calgary Flames Rumours: Team Want Young Forward Back In 2023-24

By Nathan Smith

HENDERSON, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 26: Matthew Phillips #11 skates on the ice against the Henderson Silver Knights in the first period at The Dollar Loan Center on February 26, 2023 in Henderson, Nevada. The Silver Knights defeated the Wranglers 2-1. (Photo by Candice Ward/Getty Images)
HENDERSON, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 26: Matthew Phillips #11 skates on the ice against the Henderson Silver Knights in the first period at The Dollar Loan Center on February 26, 2023 in Henderson, Nevada. The Silver Knights defeated the Wranglers 2-1. (Photo by Candice Ward/Getty Images) /
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The Calgary Flames 2022-23 season had very few shining moments or consistent performers worthy of praise, and while we did see solid years from Tyler Toffoli, Rasmus Andersson, Mikael Backlund and others, perhaps the most enjoyable player to watch in the entire organization was playing down with the Calgary Wranglers. For some *obvious* reason however, Matthew Phillips played in just two games at the NHL despite the incredible performances all year long, and now, he’s up for free agency, and very few fans could blame him if he decided to move on from the only NHL organization he’s known.

Phillips, a home town kid got the chance to showcase his talent for the newly formed Wranglers, tallying 36 goals and 40 assists for 76 points in the 66 games played all year long, and now, the team and Phillips have a massive decision to make regarding his future. While no one would have blamed Phillips for walking away if Darryl Sutter was still Head Coach, this is a new era for the Flames, and with Craig Conroy preaching the youth movement and Ryan Huska coming into the Flames from the then Stockton Heat, the chances of him returning have now sky-rocketed.

According to NHL Insider Frank Seravalli, the Flames, with their youth movement from Conroy and Huska have begun trying to convince Phillips to stay, and while there’s no clear spot for him in the lineup right now, they’re expected to make plenty of moves in the coming weeks that could find him on the third or fourth line heading into 2023-24.

So what do you think? Should the Flames bring back Phillips? Would it make sense for the Calgary kid to come back? Is there room for him on the current NHL roster? As always, let us know your thoughts below!

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