Flames add Grit

Yesterday the Calgary Flames made a series of moves that had been in the works for a while now. The day started with GM Steve adding some further depth to the forward ranks by adding Sammy Blais from the New Jersey Devils for a 2023 3^rd.  The day ended with the Flames acquiring Scott Mayfield from the Las Vegas Golden Knights for Nick Holden and cash.

GM Steve has been in the hunt to balance out his bottom 6 and after some ongoing chats and a league-wide search, a 3^rd round pick in 2023 seemed to be a reasonable price to pay for a kid who yet has to establish himself in the league. To make room for Blais on the roster, GM Steve placed defenseman Josh Brown on waivers. Sadly he won’t be reporting to the Heat as it appears a team has made a waiver claim on him. We wish Brown the best in his future endeavors as he continues his career in a new city.

Blais who was born in Montmagny, Quebec comes to Calgary with some term and will slide in on the fourth line with Radek Faksa and Nathan Bastian. Blais brings a history of being able to score in the minors while adding some further toughness and solid checking.

As the day was coming to an end last night while enjoying a cup of tea and trying to decide what to watch on tv. GM Steve received a message from GM Doug asking if he was still interested in Scott Mayfield. Since the off-season, both GM’s had some conversations about Mayfield. At the time and throughout the season Mayfield was not available. So this late-night call caught him off guard. Talks were quick but a deal came together. Sadly Nick Holden, who GM Steve acquired earlier in the season for a 5^th round pick was sent to the Vegas Golden Knights for Mayfield.  GM Steve did have to throw in some cash however that was a small price for getting a defenseman with some term, and who GM Steve and the Flames have been wanting.  What does Mayfield bring to the team? Toughness and high-end defense is what made him a target of the Flames which will give Coach Sutter options as he can have a defensive defenseman paired with an offensive defenseman on each pairing.

Mayfield who was drafted by the Calgary Flames in their inaugural draft returns to the Calgary Flames after being selected by the Vegas Golden Knights in their expansion draft year in 2017.  Mayfield who was born in St. Louis Missouri is the middle of 3 siblings who share more than just being a part of the Flames organization. GM Steve and Mayfield share the same birthday.  One must think that GM Steve will have Mayfield over to celebrate birthdays and thanksgiving together.