Door Open For Milano To Make Flames – TSN.ca

That will not do Sonny Milano thought his free hand would go.

After a career-best 34-point season with the Anaheim Ducks, the 2014 first-round pick (Columbus) was surprisingly not signed until mid-September when the reigning Pacific Division champion offered the Calgary Flames an opportunity.

He signed a pro tryout contract and is now at camp.

“Of course I was hoping for a contract, but that’s where we are right now,” said Milano on Thursday after the first session on the ice. The winger has signed a two-year, $3.4 million deal with the Ducks. “[Calgary] seemed pleased that I came and told myself there was a spot and I just gotta get it.”

The 26-year-old left winger was in line with other newcomers Cody Eakin and Nazem Kadri.

Eakin is a likely placeholder for Andreas Mangiapane, who tweaked something during informal skates and won’t be attending the early part of the training camp. In last season’s five-a-side with the Ducks, Milano was fifth with 24 points while mostly playing along Trevor Zegras and Rickard Rackel.

“You just want to be yourself,” he said. “Play your game and show your best and how you can help the team.”

With four games in the first seven nights of preseason, Milano are in a rush to win against head coach Darryl Sutter.

“The kid will have the opportunity to use it,” Sutter said.

***

colleague newbie Jonathan Huberdeau adapting well to his life as the face of a Canadian franchise. The off-season signing from the Panthers sold his sports car fleet in Florida, bought a pickup truck and went ice skating on Thursday Elias Lindholm and Tyler Toffoli.

“I think they’re two good players and I don’t think I’ve ever played with two right-handers,” Huberdeau said. “It’s cool to have that. We’re going to set up chemistry throughout the camp. I’m looking forward to playing with these guys.”

Kadri met his new colleagues on a recent golf trip in Banff.

“Everyone’s having fun together but getting down to business,” he said. “At this time of year you can feel the intensity building up during training. You know, when you go on the ice, you have to take care of business first and foremost.”

Like many Flames fans, Sutter has moved away from the late stars Johnny Gaudreauwho left as a free agent, and Matthew Tkachuk, who told the team he would not re-sign in the long term. Tkachuk was then dealt to Huberdeau, MacKenzie Weegaroutlook Cole Swallowsand a conditional first-round selection in 2025.

“What’s the big deal?” said Suter. “Not that we broke up the band. One type is unrestricted, the other type should be unrestricted. Thats how it works. You had career years, that happens.”

SPARKS FROM THE FIRE

Full rows from Day 1:

Huberdeau-Lindholm-Toffoli
Eakin-Kadri-Milan
Dube-Backlund-Coleman
Lucic Rooney Ritchie
Pospisil-Ruzicka-Lewis

Weegar-Tanev
Hanifin-Andersson
Zadorov-Meloche
Valimaki stone

Markstrom
Vladar

-An early surprise is that highly acclaimed junior player Jakob Pelletier skates with AHLers while Martin Pospisil is in the NHL squad. Given the opportunity to crack the Flames’ top 9, it’s interesting that Pelletier isn’t skating with the roster players. Pospisil’s abilities as a heavy, physical, and high-energy player would be better suited for a fourth-line role. blueliner Nicholas Meloche is also with the main group while Connor Mackey, which must clarify waivers, runs with AHLers. There could still be movement between the groups.

– Both Chris Tanev and Kadri are recovering from injuries. Sutter indicated that given the four preseason games in seven days before camp begins, the veterans are unlikely to see early game action.

– Oliver Kylington attends to a family matter and stays away from camp.