It may have been the most important game of Cole Schwindt’s young career.
One final chance to prove he’s worthy of centring the Calgary Flames' fourth line on opening night.
He certainly didn’t do anything to hurt his chances in the team’s final pre-season game in Vancouver Friday.
But did he do enough for Flames brass to take a chance on the 22-year-old who arrived in Calgary as the third player acquired in exchange for Mathew Tkachuk?
After all, the Flames do have options.
Not as many as they’d like, given the shoulder surgery performed on Kevin Rooney in the last week.
However, if Schwindt’s struggles in the faceoff circle throughout the pre-season prove to be too much of a concern, Adam Ruzicka or Dillon Dube could easily be relegated to fourth-line centre.
Not ideal moves, as both are tabbed as top-nine starters on the wing.
Coach Ryan Huska has been hoping to see more from Schwindt during camp, as he believes his six-foot-two, 182-pound frame could help make him an effective defensive centre.
In six pre-season games, Schwindt had no points and finished minus-five.
Playing between fourth-line fixtures Dryden Hunt and Walker Duehr in Friday night’s 3-1 loss, Schwindt did some effective penalty killing and also did well to clear the puck away from in tight on a dangerous rebound opportunity for the Canucks in the first period.
His line was on the ice for the second Canucks goal of the game, but he won all three draws he took in almost 11 minutes of ice time.
Did he inspire enough faith to earn a starting gig, or will the youngster from Kitchener, Ont. with three NHL games under his belt start the season as the Flames' 13th forward?
Chances are, a more proven commodity like Dube or Ruzicka opens the season anchoring the fourth unit, but we’ll see.
Centre Connor Zary was demoted to the Wranglers Thursday, as he’s seen as the sort of player who needs to play in the top nine.
Winger Adam Klapka is also still with the club, but the fact he watched from the press box Friday means he’s likely destined for the AHL as the Flames' last cut up front.
There’s always the possibility the Flames would consider plucking a centre off waivers over the weekend, but the commitment by GM Craig Conroy is to give the youngsters a chance.
That opportunity may be Schwindt’s.
We’ll find out at Wednesday’s opener.
An injury in Wednesday night’s game in Edmonton ended Honzek's evening early and was followed by being returned to his WHL club in Vancouver the next morning.
Not the way he hoped his first NHL training camp would end, but one he was prepared for.
“I’m 18 years old and basically playing with men — it’s really hard, and sometimes it’s good not to rush things,” said the Flames' 16th pick overall this summer, who was unable to showcase his skills as a power forward, going scoreless in four pre-season games.
“Obviously I want to be there, but sometimes it’s like, 'take your time, build your strength and save my spot for another year.'"
Plucked early in a strong draft, there was faint hope the six-foot-four, 195-pound winger would be one of the youngsters pushing for a job. However, Honzek was unable to make any sort of notable impression at the Young Stars tourney or main camp.
“Next time he comes in, there’s no dipping your toe in the water,” said Huska, who figured Honzek learned plenty by watching veterans in camp.
“We want him to come back knowing that he is a guy that is capable of playing, and not just being a body, but a guy that takes charge when he is here next time.”
Honzek’s coach in Vancouver wants him to play centre with the Giants, and he’ll get a chance to shine for Slovakia at the World Juniors.
No one should have been surprised Wolf was demoted to the Wranglers Thursday, as the club has long planned on ensuring the 22-year-old goalie prospect plays a boatload of games again this season.
He had a good camp but did not play well enough to force the Flames' hand, in terms of keeping him here ahead of Dan Vladar.
At some point in the next year or so, Vladar will be traded to make way for Wolf.
But for now, Wolf will continue to build confidence as the AHL’s reigning MVP, earning spot duty in Calgary where he is likely to be summoned for anywhere between five and 10 starts this year.
Huberdeau – Lindholm – Mangiapane
Ruzicka – Kadri – Dube
Sharangovich – Backlund - Coronato
Hunt – Schwindt - Duehr
Weegar - Andersson
Hanifin - Tanev
Zadorov - Oesterle
Markstrom
Vladar
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