With the Calgary Flames eliminated from the playoffs and sitting 25th in the NHL, it’s the perfect time to give the young guys a shot in the lineup as the organization prepares for next season. As such, the Flames announced this morning that they have recalled defenceman Ilya Solovyov from the Calgary Wranglers.
Solovyov’s 2023–24 season so far
This will be the third recall to the big club for Solovyov this season, following call ups in October and December. The 6’3″ defender played his first two ever NHL games back in October and then another four in December. So far, across his six games with the Flames, he’s averaging just under 15 minutes a game and has added two assists, five shots, eight hits, and nine blocks. In the AHL this season he’s suited up for 50 games as a mainstay on the Wranglers blueline, chipping in 14 points.
Solovyov’s spot in the lineup
Given the last time Solovyov was with the big club Chris Tanev and Noah Hanifin were still on the roster, there’s a good chance he sees an expanded role this time around as the Flames try a number of different combinations on the blueline. This will likely be a tryout of sorts for Solovyov to see if he can earn a full-time role for next season. The Flames will have multiple open spots on the blueline in 2024–25, and a strong performance to close out the 2023–24 season will likely put Solovyov in the driver’s seat for full-time NHL duties next year.
Photo from @AHLWranglers.
