The Calgary Flames had to make some tough decisions during training camp, and it was definitely a shock when the team decided to put former first-round pick Jakob Pelletier on waivers.
Luckily the 23-year-old cleared waivers successfully and started the 2024-25 season with the Wranglers, where he’s been a top producer for the team. In 20 AHL games, Pelletier managed to notch 19 points and made himself a prime call-up candidate. He would eventually get the call to the NHL alongside Walker Duehr, but some decisions by the Flames’ coaching staff have been causing fans to scratch their heads…
Pelletier’s ice time with the Flames has been low
As highlighted in this tweet by X user @MatchsticksCGY, Pelletier’s ice time since joining the Flames has been relatively low. He’s mostly been a staple in the bottom six and served as a healthy scratch during the Flames’ 8-3 loss versus the Tampa Bay Lightning.
I still don’t get why the #Flames aren’t giving Pelletier a significant runway at the NHL level.
— Matchsticks & Gasoline (@MatchsticksCGY) December 12, 2024
Since being called up, his ice times have been:
8:24
7:27
10:05
6:34
It’s not like him playing would make the team score any less, and now you’re risking waivers again soon.
In four games with the Flames, Pelletier has recorded a goal and an assist and has been playing quite well despite his sheltered minutes. As mentioned, Pelletier will eventually require waivers again if the team decides to send him back to the minors, and the possibility of him getting claimed is strong.
While it’s fair to say that young players need to pay their dues before getting a shot, Pelletier has done everything he could to prove himself. Yes, he didn’t have a great camp, but his play in the AHL since then has been stellar, making his call-up well-deserved. Therefore, it’s strange seeing Pelletier’s ice time being this low, and even more strange that the team would sit him out for a game. It’s not like the Flames are oozing with talent where giving him a fair look wouldn’t be possible.
Pelletier needs a solid look in the Flames’ lineup
I understand that Pelletier’s ceiling as an NHLer isn’t tremendously high, and he likely won’t blossom into a franchise player anytime soon, but he still deserves a fair shake, especially being a former first-round pick.
Giving Pelletier a look in the top six wouldn’t do any harm, as he would get the opportunity to play with more skilled players. He could switch places with a player like Andrei Kuzmenko, who is massively underperforming right now. For a team like the Flames who don’t have any real expectations, giving their young guys meaningful ice time certainly won’t hurt them would it? I think Pelletier’s playing style would complement quite well with more skilled veteran players around him.
My general point is that the Flames need to do everything they possibly can to determine what Pelletier really is at the NHL level, and they won’t exactly accomplish that by stapling him to the fourth line in every game he plays in.
