In what will surely be one of the most painful aspects of the Calgary Flames season, it looks like a former Flame will be getting a massive opportunity in the NHL.
Based on the lack of waiver activity by the Washington Capitals today, Matthew Phillips looks to have secured a spot on the opening night roster.
Which he absolutely deserves.
Phillips in the spotlight
After season after season being cast off in the Flames organization, Phillips is finally going to get his shot with the Capitals.
With final opening night rosters due tomorrow at 5 PM EST, teams were required to put players on waivers today if they wanted to assign them to the AHL in time. Phillips deal with the Capitals requires him to go through waivers, therefore since he was not on the list today, he is a lock to be on the opening night roster.
This should come as no real shock to Capitals fans, as Phillips has been one of the bright spots in the pre-season. With three points in five games, including an OT winner, Phillips took his opportunity across the lineup and ran with it.
In addition to a top line audition with Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Bäckström, Phillips is surely in line to get a wealth of additional opportunity under the direction of Spencer Carbery and former Calgary Wranglers coach Mitch Love.
You snooze, you lose
The best part about Phillips getting a real NHL shot with the Capitals now is that almost every single Flames fan and member of the media is rooting for him. A home grown Calgary player, and an undersized one at that, making it in the NHL is always a story to root for.
Plus, it was those same people who for years were clamoring for him to get an NHL shot.
The Calgary Flames organization should feel pretty embarrassed now, as after back to back MVP caliber seasons with their AHL team still wouldn’t give him a legitimate NHL shot. With their forward depth looking rather putrid, the team surely could have used his services right about now.
Instead, they will be likely watching their former drafted and developed player make a name for himself for another NHL franchise, perhaps alongside PTO cast out Sonny Milano as well.
This could go down as one of the biggest blunders in franchise history.
Photo by Brett Holmes/Icon Sportswire
