Flames Takeaways: Adam Klapka continues to impress in loss to Kraken

At six-foot-eight, 235 kilos, it’s not laborious for Adam Klapka to stay out.

Anywhere.

But it’s not simply his body that has the 22-year-old Calgary Flames hopeful turning heads.

In Penticton, B.C., he was heralded by coach Darryl Sutter as the most effective of all Flames prospects at rookie camp.

In the staff’s first scrimmage, he put a candy transfer on a defenceman earlier than roofing the sport’s prettiest purpose.

In his first pre-season sport he had his first battle, and on Tuesday evening in Seattle he turned on the jets to outrace veteran Vince Dunn to create one of many staff’s few Grade A scoring possibilities in a 3-0 loss to a veteran-laden bunch of Kraken.

Signed to a two-year deal contemporary out of the highest league within the Czech Republic, Klapka is a 12 months or two away from having the ability to problem for an NHL look.

But it’s straightforward to get excited in regards to the bundle he brings.

“Darryl is right, he stood out (in Penticton), not only for his size but what caught our eye is his ability to hang onto the puck and make some plays, and he has a rocket of a shot,” stated assistant coach Kirk Muller.

“The combination, let’s be honest, if you’ve got a big winger like that who can hang onto the puck, and make plays and go to the net (and) is willing to go to the hard areas … he’s raw, he’s got a lot to learn about the North American game. But there’s stuff there that gets you excited.”

Even extra so after chatting with the affable teen who can’t imagine the dream he’s dwelling.

“When I flew to Vancouver (for Sunday’s split squad game) it was something – when I came to the airport and saw the plane I was like, ‘wow, what am I doing here?’” beamed the chiseled Czech, who in some way dropped 10 kilos over the past 4 months whereas skating in Calgary.

“It’s nice to be here and see where you can play and give you the motivation to work hard.”

Not surprisingly a fan of Zdeno Chara, his sport matches the Flames’ type.

“I should play straight, hit the guys, be in front of the net and be aggressive, protect teammates,” stated the right-shot winger.

“My size is perfect for my situation.”

That dimension earned him an invitation to battle Canucks robust man Vincent Arseneau on Sunday evening, which fortuitously didn’t go too badly for the light big.

“I wasn’t expecting, but he asked me if I want to go and I am not a guy who says no because I feel a little bit bad when I say no,” chuckled Klapka.

“I did a pair errors I’ve to work on. It was my first battle right here, so I hope there may be going to be another fights.

“In Europe, individuals are just a little bit petrified of preventing and while you battle in Europe you get suspended for the remainder of the sport. No one needs to battle within the Czech, and particularly with me as a result of I’m so large towards different guys.

“It’s part of my game but I have to be more smart about when I can fight and when I can’t.”

Wranglers followers are certain to take pleasure in watching Klapka develop within the AHL.

OPENING NIGHT SURPRISE?

If the season had been to begin tomorrow, the most important shock on the opening evening roster would possible be Nicolas Meloche.

Yes, you learn that proper.

In the absence of Oliver Kylington, resulting from private causes, the 25-year-old defenceman has been slotted from Day 1 of camp to play on the precise facet of third-pairing anchor Nikita Zadorov.

The second-round draft choose of the Colorado A-Z Eventz was signed by the Flames as a free agent on the primary day of free company this summer season for $950,000 on a one-way deal.

Simply put, the Flames see him as their subsequent Erik Gudbranson.

“With Gudbranson leaving I could maybe take his chair, maybe not this year, but obviously fill his shoes on the penalty kill and being a tough, physical defenceman,” stated Meloche, who performed 50 video games for San Jose final season.

“For me, that’s the goal I’m aiming for, playing those minutes and playing the way he did last year. He was amazing, and hard to play against last year.”

At six-foot-three, 211 kilos he’s virtually as large as Gudbranson, who was standard with followers and teammates for his toughness and skill to close down the opposition.

“When we talked on the phone this summer, (the coaches) said, ‘we could see you taking that role (Gudbranson) played,” stated Meloche, who led all Flames with virtually three minutes of penalty kill time Tuesday.

“They gave me some film of him for the summer and I watched it closely. I see myself as being capable of doing the same thing.”

On Tuesday he appeared strong alongside Connor Mackey, who many initially figured might need been slotted sixth or seventh on the depth chart this 12 months.

Alas, Meloche appears to have an early observe on Kylington’s spot.

RUZICKA ON THE WING

With the addition of centres Nazem Kadri and Kevin Rooney, many have questioned the place Adam Ruzicka would possibly slot in as a centre within the group.

Turns out he may not match there in any respect, which is why the six-foot-four, 220-pound, 23-year-old made his debut on the left wing on a strong line with Connor Zary and Sonny Milano on Tuesday.

If he is ready to make that transition, it might definitely open up some doorways for the teen, who broke by way of final season with 5 targets and 10 factors in 28 video games.

“I can play no matter — centre, wing, I do not actually care, it would not matter to me,” he chuckled Tuesday morning.

“If I’m going to make the NHL, I’ll (even) play in purpose.”

SEATTLE NOTES

The man who did play internet, Daniel Vladar, was maybe the most effective participant on the ice for the Flames’ younger squad Tuesday, stopping 32 of the 34 pictures he confronted earlier than the membership surrendered an empty netter. It was a strong encore efficiency for the backup, who stopped all 15 he confronted within the opening pre-season sport … The Flames went 0-for-6 on the ability play, with Zary main all Flames with 7:05 of ice time on the person benefit. The Flames’ first rounder appeared snug alongside PTO hopeful Milano, who additionally noticed over seven minutes on the PP, recording three pictures … The Flames host Edmonton on Wednesday.

LINEUP

Forwards
Dube-Eakin-Duehr
Ruzicka-Zary-Milano
Pelletier-Jones-Phillips
Gallant-Schwindt-Klapka

Defence
Mackey-Meloche
Gilbert-DeSimone
Valimaki-Kuznetsov

Goalies
Vladar
Dansk