The Calgary Flames announced this morning that they have recalled Cole Schwindt from the AHL’s Calgary Wranglers.
The Flames are going to be without Dillon Dube for some time, and with Martin Pospisil expected out for the next few weeks, the team is in need of some additional bodies in the lineup.
Enter: Cole Schwindt.
Drafted in the second round of the 2019 NHL Draft by the Florida Panthers, Schwindt is known for his reliable two-way game and has been playing centre for most of his career. The former Mississauga Steelhead was acquired by the Flames as part of the Jonathan Huberdeau trade, and has projected to be an NHLer for some time now.
In 37 games with the Wranglers this season, Schwindt has amassed 8 goals and 20 points. Despite sitting sixth in scoring on the team, he leads the team in plus-minus with a strong +13 rating. The Flames have clearly wanted to see what they have in Schwindt—who has only appeared in three career NHL games, all for the Panthers—and this gives them an opportunity to do so.
Where will Schwindt slot in?
The Flames really need to redefine what their bottom line looks like, and Schwindt is likely a big part of that. He is going to slot into the mix with Adam Klapka, Adam Ruzicka, and A.J. Greer as one of the team’s fourth line guys. If he doesn’t slot in tonight against the St. Louis Blues, he likely gets his first game for the Flames against Johnny Gaudreau and the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday.
