Forwards Anthony Mantha and Justin Kirkland were the best stories of the Calgary Flames’ preseason. Anthony Mantha had a new role with a new team, while Justin Kirkland had won a roster spot after a long journey in the AHL. Both of these forwards were important to the Flames at the beginning of the season.
Unfortunately, both Mantha and Kirkland suffered season-ending ACL injuries, which created concern in the Flames lineup. After having a short sample of what Anthony Mantha and Justin Kirkland bring to the team, should the Flames consider a Mantha and Kirkland reunion?
Mantha and Kirkland bring energy to the lineup
Anthony Mantha was a flexible player for the Flames. He could slot in on any of the top three forward lines, varying from the team’s play. Some Flames fans may remember that Anthony Mantha had one of the most impressive debuts of all time. Against the rival Vancouver Canucks, Mantha recorded a Gordie Howe hat-trick in the season opener while also scoring the first goal of the Flames’ season.
From the first game, Mantha was a bit of a spark plug for the Flames. He can score and bring some intensity to the team. The 30-year-old’s impressive start to the season came to an end on November 5 in Montreal. Mantha suffered a season-ending ACL injury that left an open spot on the Flames roster.
Justin Kirkland had a different journey to the Flames lineup. He had to prove throughout the preseason that he could hang with the NHL club. After a fantastic game against the Edmonton Oilers, Kirkland joined the conversation for the Flames’ fourth-line centre. He was able to keep up the consistent play in the bottom-six and penalty kill.
He was rewarded with an NHL roster spot and made his Flames debut in the second game of the season against the Philadelphia Flyers. The following day, Kirkland scored his first NHL goal against the Oilers, which helped solidify their victory. From this moment on, Kirkland was a fan favourite in Calgary. His nickname, “Costco,” is one of the best in the NHL and only makes his story that much better. Kirkland’s season came to an end in Columbus with a similar ACL injury as Mantha.
Both of these players will have cheap contracts
A benefit of bringing Mantha and Kirkland back to the Flames is that their contracts would easily be affordable. With both of them playing less than 25 games, it is safe to say they will not be bargaining for a big contract.
Mantha was going to be a prime trade piece at this year’s NHL trade deadline; this could be the same for next season. If the Flames bring back Mantha on a one-year deal, he could be flipped for a draft pick at the deadline. That was most likely the plan going into this year. A contract for Mantha would look very similar to the one he previously signed for one year with a $3.5M cap hit.
Kirkland will get a cheap contract of around $1M per year. With how things played out this season, I think Craig Conroy would only sign him for one or two years. Kirkland is the perfect replacement for current fourth-line centre Kevin Rooney. Rooney is set to become an unrestricted free agent in the offseason, leaving the role wide open for Kirkland.
A fourth line of Kirkland, Ryan Lomberg, and Adam Klapka would be a great line to bring some energy. The Flames will have a lot of cap space in the summer, so they can easily afford a Mantha and Kirkland reunion.
Would you like to see Anthony Mantha and Justin Kirkland return to the Calgary Flames?
Both forwards have more to give
I believe that both Mantha and Kirkland have more to give. Mantha is a former 25-goal scorer who has one of the best shots on the Flames. He is a perfect player to slot on the power play because he is one of the few Flames with a good one-timer.
Yegor Sharangovich has had an extremely disappointing season, causing some concern about his upcoming contract. This is where Mantha could slot in and provide more secondary scoring.
A player I think the Flames should move on from is Blake Coleman. He has seen better days and could be useful on a contending team. Craig Conroy could acquire some assets for him in the offseason and give Mantha another opportunity with the Flames.
Kirkland cannot be ignored when it comes to second chances. The AHL journeyman had such a long grind toward the NHL and nearly lost it all when he got in a car crash. This happened when he was a member of the Anaheim Ducks.
He is not afraid of having the odds stacked against him; he is willing to work as hard as possible to get another chance. His ACL injury came at an awful time, with so much of the season remaining. I truly believe that Craig Conroy should give “Costco” another opportunity to be a mainstay in the Calgary Flames lineup. His work ethic is infectious. Looking at his 21-game stint as a Flame, he was a valuable penalty killer and was a master in the shootout.
A Mantha and Kirkland reunion in Calgary would be awesome to witness.
