The Calgary Flames picked up their second win of the season on Sunday night over the defending Stanley Cup Champions, and in that performance, it was the youth that led them to a very exciting 3-2 victory.
Sure, the team are still sitting at 2-6-0 on the season through their first eight games played, but given that the team are truly entering a rebuild, it's safe to say that there's been some very promising signs in recent performances.
However, injuries have played a role early in the season, and with Samuel Honzek out and question marks over Mikael Backlund, the team have made an official roster move, recalling a veteran Wrangler following a hot start.
Ben Jones Recalled by the Calgary Flames
Following the Flames victory over the Carolina Hurricanes, reporter Pat Steinberg took to social media to reveal that Backlund could miss some time, but according to reports out of Sweden, he believes he won't miss much time, if at all.
Fun show to kick off the week!
— Pat Steinberg (@SteinbergYYC) October 20, 2026
Also some Mikael Backlund info. Left Sunday’s game late, but told Swedish media he won’t be out long if at all.
Honzek now on IR. If Calgary needs a recall, eyes on Tyson Gross and Ben Jones. Both off to great AHL starts.#Flames Now podcast 👇🏼 https://t.co/x5BznNwwLf
If he does miss even a game though, the Flames wanted a replacement to come into the lineup, and with the likes of Connor Zary and Tyson Gross as center coverage, they had options. However, the team have rewarded 27-year-old Ben Jones instead, making the recall official on Tuesday morning.
Forward Ben Jones has been recalled from the @AHLWranglers. pic.twitter.com/DYwQ8DKfcK
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) October 20, 2026
While he's not one of the Flames exciting young forwards in the AHL, Jones has been dominant early in the season, with 9 points in 7 games leading the Wranglers, while his 7 goals in that time leads the entire American Hockey League.
What Will the Calgary Flames Lineup be on Thursday?
As of right now, the Flames lines for their matchup against the Minnesota Wild are unclear, as the team aren't certain whether or not their captain will be in the lineup. If he's not, there's a great case to make that the Flames should keep Maxim Tsyplakov as their 13th forward, moving Jonathan Castagna to the 3C, Martin Pospisil/Ryan Strome to the 2C role and then having Jones slot in immediately on the fourth line.
While the Flames don't have much elite level talent, they do have plenty of options, and with this callup, they made their stance clear: best player in the AHL gets the opportunity, regardless of their future, their potential or their past.
Ultimately, there's also a chance that Jones doesn't get any action at all before being sent back down to the AHL, but this is a great reward for an incredible start to the year, and one that could effect the Flames lineup ahead of Thursday's game.
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