The Flames have been carrying an extra body.
Marek Hrivik, the team’s lone July 1 signing, held intrigue as a depth player. He has been unable to score at the NHL level, but his underlying numbers have been strong (a 55.96% CF last season, albeit with only about 160 minutes played). There was, perhaps, a chance he could have won a spot on the fourth line.
That wasn’t to be, though, as Hrivik was injured during the preseason, and started the actual season still up with the Flames as a non-roster player. He’s since shed the no-contact jersey in practice, and now appears to be healthy enough to start the season, as the Flames have placed him on waivers.