The Flames performed a bloodletting when it came to their restricted free agents. They only kept four, two of whom were obvious (Sean Monahan and Johnny Gaudreau), one of whom was probable (Tyler Wotherspoon), and one of whom probably could have gone either way (Freddie Hamilton).
It took them a while to re-sign Hamilton, but when the Flames finally did, the contract was surprising: a one-way, two-year deal. Now he's played in two preseason games to date, and while everything preseason must come with a grain of salt, he has scored two goals so far.
Even more so, though, is that there are forward spots to earn on the Flames.