Two of the Calgary Flames’ top call-up candidates were surprise scratches Sunday in the AHL.
Hmmm.
Walker Duehr and Jakob Pelletier did not suit up as the Calgary Wranglers wrapped a two-game set against the Manitoba Moose in Winnipeg.
Could it be that the Flames, after a miserable 0-3-1 road trip, are looking to spark their forward units?
Duehr, a 27-year-old right-winger, has scored 11 goals so far this season for the Wranglers, tied for third-most on the minor-league circuit.
Pelletier, 23, currently leads the farm club — and is tied for fourth among all AHLers — with 16 assists. It was big news when the Flames placed their 2019 first-round pick on waivers this fall, but the speedy left-winger was not claimed.
The offence hasn’t been coming easy for the Flames. They averaged just 2.27 goals per game during the month of November. Only one team had more trouble tickling twine over that span.
It’s worth noting that despite impressive stats in minors, Duehr and Pelletier have yet to prove they can be counted on as frequent offensive contributors in the bigs.
Duehr has nine goals and 18 points in 68 career loggings at the top level, while Pelletier has scored four times and added six assists in 37 outings in the Flaming C.
If either guy is about to be recalled, it would be a hint that Justin Kirkland will remain on the shelf due to the lower-body injury that forced him to miss Saturday’s 6-2 loss to the Penguins in Pittsburgh.
The Flames (12-9-4) return to action Tuesday when they host the Columbus Blue Jackets.