The Flames are making moves again, and this time it’s forward Justin Kirkland who’s back on the waiver wire.
At 29 years old, Kirkland brings value as a reliable depth piece and a steady contributor on the penalty kill - the kind of player coaches appreciate even if he doesn’t light up the scoresheet. He’s already cleared waivers once this season, but with teams always on the lookout for experienced, defensively responsible forwards, there’s a chance someone takes a flyer on him this time around.
Kirkland’s logged 20 games for Calgary so far in the 2025-26 campaign, tallying a goal, an assist, and posting a plus-1 rating. Modest numbers, sure, but they only tell part of the story.
When he’s been in the lineup, he’s been a regular on the penalty kill, trusted to help neutralize opposing power plays and eat tough minutes in his own zone. That kind of defensive reliability doesn’t always show up in the box score, but it matters - especially for a team trying to tighten up its special teams.
He was scratched for Saturday’s 3-2 win over the Sharks, a game that saw Martin Pospisil return from injury and slot in as the fourth-line center. With Pospisil back in the mix, Kirkland became the odd man out - a tough break, but not an uncommon one for players in his role.
Still, Kirkland was on the ice for Sunday’s optional skate at WinSport, staying ready in case his number gets called again - whether that’s in Calgary or elsewhere. Now, he’ll wait to see if another team puts in a claim before Monday’s noon MT deadline.
For a player like Kirkland, the line between the NHL and the AHL is razor-thin. But his work ethic, versatility, and defensive chops keep him in the conversation. Whether he sticks with the Flames or finds a new home, he’s shown he can do the little things right - and that’s often what earns players another shot.