Calgary Flames notes: Adam Ruzicka, Nick DeSimone on waivers

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Adam Ruzicka watched Tuesday’s recreation from the press field as a wholesome scratch.

He might quickly be watching the Calgary Flames from afar … or be skating in one other uniform.

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The 24-year-old was accessible Wednesday on the NHL’s waiver wire. We’ll discover out Thursday at midday MT if one other group has submitted a declare for Ruzicka, a man who has an intriguing tool-kit — a harmful shot, good offensive instincts and a power-forward body — however has been frustratingly inconsistent.

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Nick DeSimone was additionally waived Wednesday by the Flames, an indication that the journeyman defenceman might quickly be reassigned to the AHL’s Wranglers.

Might Ruzicka, who hasn’t skated within the minors for the reason that 2021-22 marketing campaign, even be getting ready to a demotion? Or is that this merely one other message — the strongest but — from the Flames that they count on extra from him?

Ruzicka began this season on Calgary’s second line and was briefly on a point-per-game tempo, with two targets and two assists by way of 4 outings.

Nevertheless, his efficiency and productiveness quickly dipped, and his ice time has dwindled since a pair of call-ups — Connor Zary and Martin Pospisil — proved that they belong in distinguished roles.

Ruzicka’s present stat sheet reveals three targets, six assists and a minus-8 ranking in his 39 appearances up to now in 2023-24. He’s contributed simply 5 factors at even power, the bottom complete among the many Flames’ full-time forwards.

Factor is, NHL basic managers are at all times trying to find bargains and with a salary-cap hit of US$762,500, they might view Ruzicka as a dude who might flourish after a recent begin.

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Till lunchtime on Thursday, the Slovak centre is in limbo. He’ll probably have a suitcase packed, simply in case. It’s not out of the query that he might stay on Calgary’s roster, though the previous couple of gamers to clear waivers — Walker Duehr, Dryden Hunt, and so forth. — had been instantly assigned to the farm group.

Throughout Saturday’s Battle of Alberta, Ruzicka logged solely six minutes of ice time.

In Tuesday’s 4-3 house loss to the St. Louis Blues, Flames head coach Ryan Huska opted to as a substitute gown two rookies — Adam Klapka and Cole Schwindt — alongside A.J. Greer on the fourth line.

“They need to be guys that after they’re on the ice, they’re reliable and dependable guys that aren’t on the ice for possibilities in opposition to and, for positive, targets in opposition to,” Huska defined lately when requested what he expects from his checking unit. “And then you definitely flip it the opposite manner … We wish to make life exhausting on the opposite group’s defence, so meaning they need to do a fantastic job within the impartial zone and ensure they’re enjoying with lots of tempo and lots of vitality within the offensive zone to allow them to arrange our different traces for achievement.”

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Ruzicka, a fourth-round choice within the 2017 NHL Draft, has totalled 14 targets and 40 factors in 114 profession contests with the Flames.

Saddledome struggles

That you must be scorching at house.

The Flames, throughout their longest stretch on the Saddledome this season, have been the other.

They’ve now misplaced three in a row underneath their very own roof as they put together for Thursday’s go to from Johnny Gaudreau and the Columbus Blue Jackets (7 p.m. MT, Sportsnet West/Sportsnet 960 The Fan).

“It undoubtedly stings,” mentioned alternate captain Rasmus Andersson. “Our followers deserve higher.”

The Flames, after back-to-back-to-back bummers, count on to be higher.

They’ve had dangerous begins of their previous two outings. They’ve additionally been on the flawed finish of dangerous bounces. And the power-play … nicely, you’re in all probability choosing up on the development.

As Huska reminded after Wednesday’s observe: “For those who’re not at your greatest, at house or on the street, there’s a reasonably good likelihood you’re not successful the sport.

“We predict now we have the best followers within the league and so they wish to come and watch the group play exhausting, which I feel for probably the most half, most nights, they do,” Huska mentioned. “They wish to see a group that’s passionate and enjoying exhausting as a group as a result of that’s actually what this metropolis is all about, so it’s vital that we come out right here and placed on that kind of effort each time we step on the ice.”

The Flames have two house dates remaining earlier than their bye — Thursday’s battle with the Blue Jackets after which Saturday’s showdown in opposition to the Chicago Blackhawks. Their present document on the Saddledome is 11-10-1.

wgilbertson@postmedia.com

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