Today is the day that the Calgary Flames will make their final cuts. One of those cuts seems to be winger Jakob Pelletier.
Pelletier’s career so far
Junior, 2019–20 to 2020–21
Pelletier was drafted by the Flames back in 2019 with the 26th overall pick inside the first round. Coming off an 89-point season in 65 games with the Moncton Wildcats, Pelletier was deserving of a first-round selection. He did not waver the following year, putting up 82 in 57 games.
Pelletier then went back to the QMJHL for one more year, this time with the Val d’Or Foreurs following a trade. He had by far his best year yet, with 43 points in 28 games and an additional 23 in 15 playoff games. The Foreurs made a run to the finals but were bested by the Victoriaville Tigers in six games. Pelletier picked up his fair share of hardware in the QMJHL, such as an all-rookie team, a First and Second All-Star team, and the most sportsmanlike player award.
Professional, 2021–22 to present
In 2021–22, Pelletier was ready for professional hockey. It didn’t take long for him to get started. In 66 games with the Calgary Wranglers in the AHL, Pelletier put up 27 goals and 62 points. This earned him a spot on the All-Rookie Team.
The following year was even better, as he put up 37 points in 35 games before being called up to the NHL. He was given 24 games, and he scored three goals and seven points. But where Pelletier shined the most was his energy. The 2022–23 was depressing for the Flames, and Pelletier brought excitement to it.
The 2023–24 season looked to be a big year for Pelletier, but he faced an injury in preseason that held him out for the majority of the year. When he came back, he received 13 NHL games, put up three points, and looked very unengaged. His energy was gone, and he appeared scared of the puck. He was sent back down to the AHL, where he put up 12 points in 18 games.
Where we are now
That brings us to now. Pelletier continued to look unengaged in the preseason, and his shine just wasn’t there. He didn’t look NHL quality to the coaches, and it’s reported that he will be on waivers at noon today.
This is sure to be a hot topic among the fanbase that will bring many different sides to the argument. There are definitely some veterans that don’t have the value Pelletier has that can be waived. But Pelletier also hasn’t played well enough to earn a spot.
Whether this is the right move is soon to be seen, but it would be shocking if he goes unclaimed.
