The Calgary Flames have an interesting decision to make with Rory Kerins this season. For the first time in his career, the 23-year-old forward will need to clear waivers if he doesnâ€t stick with the big club out of camp. That means if Calgary tries to send him down, thereâ€s a very real chance another team could scoop him up.
So the question is: do the Flames risk losing him, or do they find a spot for him on the roster?
Kerins sees himself as a natural centre — and letâ€s be honest, the Flames could use more stability down the middle. The problem is, at the NHL level, he hasnâ€t quite earned the coaching staffâ€s trust to take on those heavier defensive minutes. His skating still needs another gear, and his overall two-way game has to tighten up before heâ€s handed full-time centre duties.
That said, you canâ€t ignore the upside. Kerins has great hockey sense, heâ€s committed to improving, and he knows how to generate offence. Just think back to his final year in junior with the Soo Greyhounds, where he racked up a ridiculous 118 points (43g,75a) in 67 games.
He scored the game-winning goal on the power play and added an assist in the Flames†4-1 preseason victory against the Seattle Kraken on September 23.
Last season was another big step forward for Kerins. He lit it up with the Calgary Wranglers, putting home a career-high 33 goals and leading the team with 61 points. Even in limited NHL action, he chipped in four assists in five games and finished plus-3. For a sixth-round pick back in 2020, thatâ€s hinting at some serious value.
Calgary rewarded him with a one-year, two-way deal in July — essentially a “show us what you can do†contract. Now itâ€s up to Kerins to prove he can turn those AHL numbers into NHL consistency.
The Flames have to decide if heâ€s worth a roster spot right now, or if theyâ€re willing to gamble that he slips through waivers. Either way, Kerins has put himself squarely in the conversation. For a guy whoâ€s been flying under the radar, heâ€s quickly becoming one of the more intriguing storylines heading into the season.
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