The 2024–25 season is set to be an interesting one for the Calgary Flames. It seems that management is fully committed to the rebuild and the team represents that. It will be a big year for many of the younger guys. Lots have started to make their mark in preseason. One player that seems to be drawing in some disappointment this preseason is Jakob Pelletier.
That extra step that he needed to show wasn’t on display. There aren’t a ton of open spots on the roster and there are tons of guys who could claim one. With other players outperforming, a dilemma may arise surrounding Jakob Pelletier
The dilemma with Pelletier
With Jakob Pelletier not really claiming that roster spot that he was hoped to of had, what is the next step with him? Obviously, you want him to get back into NHL action after his injury but he’s still showing those same problems in his game that were there when he came back. You can keep him on the roster and rotate him in and out until he proves his productivity in the NHL again but then you risk taking away a spot from someone who shined in preseason. Then there is the option to send him down. The problem is that Pelletier requires waivers this season and it is very unlikely a first-round pick goes unclaimed.
Waivers don’t present a good option
Pelletier is past his waiver eligibility which brings the first part of the dilemma. If the Flames prefer others and see no spot for him on the roster, they face this option. They obviously want him to play, improve, and shake whatever is wrong but to do that they would have to place him on waivers.
This is the worst option in my opinion. Pelletier is a guy who had promise not even two years ago in the back half of 2022–23 and a preseason injury took away a majority of his 2023–24 season. Now, this injury seems to have impacted him and the course of his development heavily. He doesn’t seem to play with that same energy and fearlessness he once had.
While the promise is not as high anymore, Pelletier still brings an alright amount of NHL potential to the table. He’s a former first-round pick that’s still young enough to develop, that’s not the kind of player you want to waive. It’s how you possibly end up with another Juuso Valimaki situation who has been quite solid with Arizona/Utah. Before you waive, you must explore the trade market with a player like Pelletier.
Exploring the trade market
If worse comes to worst, maybe Pelletier’s time with the Flames and Calgary is done. Perhaps the Flames have already gauged the trade market for Pelletier but you should always check to see if you can get something for a player. If the Flames are looking to move on, I could very easily see a swap for a struggling player of the same calibre. Think Nick Robertson from the Toronto Maple Leafs possibly. Even then, it wouldn’t be surprising to fetch a mid-round pick. Honestly, I believe this is the route you explore if you receive too good of an offer or if the Flames are considering waiving him. But sometimes there is no market.
Keeping Pelletier on the roster
Now this option is one that sees the Flames keeping Pelletier on the roster. Deemed on preseason play, that may not be the move for the present but possibly the best future-wise. Guys like Samuel Honzek will get other chances but it would definitely be unfair to not give it to him now. Pelletier is someone coming off an injury that seemed to completely derail his projection. He’s not performing in the preseason after not having his best showing in the regular season last year.
I think logically it makes sense to see if he’ll fight for it in a real NHL game. Maybe you don’t play him every game, but you give him that chance to show his energy and dog in him again in a real match. If he does show it, you’ve now avoided losing a decently effective player with the potential to be a fan-favourite middle-sixer back. You can argue those are somewhat easy to find but you don’t want to risk losing any value. If he can’t show it, it’s time to move on and explore the other two options. It’s clear what he is bringing to the table and it’s not what you want. Also, those like Honzek now get their chance to shine but just a little bit later no matter the outcome.
A conflicting dilemma
To see Jakob Pelletier’s quality in play suddenly drop over an injury is sad. He went from fan-favourite prospect to potential waiver wire. Pelletier is one whose production seemed extremely promising at points in his development and his floor seemed comfortable at bottom-six contributor. He brought energy to the team during a miserable 2022–23 season.
Now, it’s being questioned if he’ll be NHL quality at any point. It’s honestly a little depressing because Pelletier is such an easy guy to cheer for based on how he is on and off the ice. But sometimes hockey is full of tough decisions and you have to make the move you believe is best for the team and future.
