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Flames Want Kylington To Play In North America |
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Follow me on Twitter @ToddCordell
There has been a lot of talk about where Oliver Kylington will play hockey next season.
After putting pen to paper on an entry-level contract with the Calgary Flames speculation has ramped up even more.
As it stands right now Kylington is slated to return to AIK - a tier-two team in Sweden - when he almost inevitably fails to make the Flames roster as AIK has 2nd priority to his rights.
With that in mind Flames GM Brad Treliving seems to want Kylington playing in North America next season - whether that be with the Flames (unlikely), their AHL affiliate or the WHL's Brandon Wheat Kings - and is reportedly trying to work out an arrangement that would allow that.
Quotes via Darren Haynes' blog: Treliving said the Flames have already begun discussions with AIK and I assure you they're not talking about the price of Lutfisk. Presumably the Flames will try to work out an arrangement with AIK so that they can keep Kylington in North America, either in Stockton in the AHL or with Brandon in the WHL. The Wheat Kings own his rights after recently drafting him in the CHL Import Draft (where interestingly he went 60th, same spot he was picked in the NHL draft).
"We've begun that dialogue with AIK through his representatives. We'll see where that gets to come September," said Treliving. "We hope to continue to work on that so that isn't an issue. But at the end of the day, if he ends up playing back in Sweden, that's not a bad thing either."
Treliving is right in saying playing in Sweden is not a bad thing, however, I think playing in North America and getting used to the smaller ice surface would be better for Kylington than playing tier-two hockey overseas.
In Stockton Kylington would get to play against men - as he would overseas - and would be readily available to the Flames should they ever wish to recall him. In Brandon Kylington would get to take a step back - he's been playing against men since 16 - and play big minutes against his peers while suiting up for a powerhouse Brandon Wheat Kings team.
You could make a case for each option, however, I think playing in North America - whether it be the AHL or WHL - would be best for Kylington and the Flames (they'd be able to monitor him closely).
It seems like Treliving feels the same way.
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