LAS VEGAS — Oliver Kylington has been granted an extension by the NHL to continue his conditioning stint with the Calgary Wranglers for one more game.
With the Calgary Flames' AHL affiliate not scheduled to play until next Friday, it gives the club, and the defenceman, a little more time to continue mapping out a plan on how to ease him back into the NHL after an almost two-year absence.
“We petitioned the commissioner and we did get permission to extend his conditioning stint from the league, and I appreciate them doing that,” Flames GM Craig Conroy told Sportsnet as he watched his club’s morning skate ahead of Saturday night’s game against the Vegas Golden Knights.
“We’ll sit down when we get home to figure out the plan.”
The extension actually granted Kylington two more AHL games.
However, the team decided to forego dressing him for Friday’s game to allow his body to heal after his first game action since the spring of 2022.
“He was a little sore after the game so we decided to just get him treatment,” said Conroy, whose club listed Kylington as day-to-day with a groin issue.
“So far, everything has gone according to the plan.”
Kylington missed last season for personal reasons, dealing with mental health issues that sidelined him until the team announced on Jan. 4 that he was ready to skate with the AHL club.
“Just before Christmas we had this plan, and since then everything has been on point,” said Conroy, who has been communicating with the 26-year-old Swede throughout.
“Everything has been positive.
“There’s been nothing to indicate a setback.”
Kylington was given a warm welcome by his teammates and the Saddledome crowd after being announced as a starter on Thursday, prompting a big grin from the speedy defender who said he felt comfortable back on the ice.
“He had 19 minutes of playing time, playing in all situations, killing penalties and on the power play,” said Conroy of the second rounder who had nine goals, 31 points and was plus-34 in 2021-22.
“Skating is his thing and he said he made some good passes coming out of the zone and created a few scoring chances. His timing was a little off with the hands, but it has been almost two years since he played, so that was to be expected.”
Kylington told reporters after the game he’s been appreciative of the support around the organization and community, and it was nice to get the first game out of the way.
“I just want to keep building and look forward to the future.
“I try not to make the picture bigger than it is.”
Conroy said the Nikita Zadorov trade helped open cap space for the club to ensure there is room for Kylington on the roster whenever he’s ready to return to play.
His return could do wonders to bolster the club’s already solid blue line, which could lose Noah Hanifin and/or Chris Tanev if they don’t sign contract extensions before the March 8 trade deadline.
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