Calgary Flames send three young prospects to the AHL. As the Calgary Flames finalize their roster for the 2024/25 season, they’ve assigned three promising prospects—Yan Kuznetsov, Artem Grushnikov, and Waltteri Ignatjew—to the AHL’s Wranglers, where all are expected to play significant roles.
Kuznetsov, a 22-year-old former second-round pick, appeared in one NHL game last year and had a solid AHL season despite a -4 rating and only 13 points in 68 games. Known for his defensive stability, Kuznetsov could be called up if the Flames deal with injuries or roster changes on defense.
Artem Grushnikov, acquired in the Chris Tanev trade with Dallas, impressed with his strong defensive presence, though he registered just one assist in the AHL. The Flames see him as a reliable stay-at-home defenseman who could complement their more offensive-minded prospects, like Zayne Parekh and Jeremie Poirier.
Lastly, goaltender Waltteri Ignatjew, a 24-year-old undrafted Finnish player, is set for his North American debut after a standout season in Sweden, where he posted a .918 save percentage and a 2.34 GAA. With Dustin Wolf moving up to the NHL, Ignatjew is expected to split time with Connor Murphy and potentially play a key role in Calgary’s future.
With the Flames now down to 35 players, the final roster decisions will be made before the season opener in 8 days, with several other prospects likely to join these three in the AHL.
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