The Calgary Flames turned a 3-2 win over the defending Stanley Cup champions into a little more roster movement on Tuesday, calling up Ben Jones from the AHL after injuries left them needing another body up front.
Calgary is still only 2-6-0 through its first eight games, but the way the young players drove Sunday’s victory offered a glimpse of something better. The rebuild isn’t hiding the slow start, but the recent results have given the Flames a few reasons to feel encouraged.
The latest wrinkle came after Samuel Honzek was placed on IR and Mikael Backlund’s status remained uncertain. Pat Steinberg reported on social media after the win over Carolina that Backlund might miss time, though he also relayed that, according to reports out of Sweden, Backlund said he won’t be out long, if at all.
Fun show to kick off the week!
Also some Mikael Backlund info. Left Sunday’s game late, but told Swedish media he won’t be out long if at all.
Honzek now on IR. If Calgary needs a recall, eyes on Tyson Gross and Ben Jones.
Both off to great AHL starts. #Flames Now podcast 👇🏼 https://t.co/x5BznNwwLf
- Pat Steinberg (@SteinbergYYC) October 20, 2026
With that in mind, Calgary made its move. The club announced Tuesday morning that Jones had been recalled from the AHL Wranglers.
Forward Ben Jones has been recalled from the @AHLWranglers. pic.twitter.com/DYwQ8DKfcK
- Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) October 20, 2026
Jones, 27, isn’t one of the flashier names in the organization’s group of young forwards, but he earned this look the old-fashioned way. He has 9 points in 7 games to lead the Wranglers, and his 7 goals are the most in the American Hockey League.
What happens next depends in part on whether the Flames have their captain available for Thursday’s game against the Minnesota Wild. The lineup remains unsettled, and there’s a case to be made for keeping Maxim Tsyplakov as the 13th forward if Backlund can’t go, sliding Jonathan Castagna to the 3C spot, moving Martin Pospisil or Ryan Strome into the 2C role, and inserting Jones right onto the fourth line.
For now, Calgary has made its position pretty clear: performance in the AHL is enough to earn a shot, no matter a player’s age, upside or track record. Jones might not play before heading back down, but after the start he’s had, the recall is a deserved payoff - and it could still have an impact on Thursday’s lineup.
In Other News...
Flames Rebuild Pressure Just Put One Trade Return In Focus
The Flames rebuild has shifted the spotlight onto the kind of roster player who can actually bring something meaningful back in a trade, and veteran Zach Whitecloud has emerged as one name to watch. Calgary is expected to keep moving pieces as it reshapes the roster, and the asking price is clear enough: a serious future asset rather than a throw-in return. The Toronto Maple Leafs have surfaced as a possible trade partner, which makes the conversation especially interesting because their prospect pool and draft capital could help determine whether a deal even makes sense.
From the Flames side, this is the sort of transaction that can help define how quickly the rebuild gains traction. Calgary is looking for the type of return that moves the needle, and the Leafs are being examined for the pieces that could fit into that framework. Among the options, one prospect stands out as the most natural fit if talks progress, which is exactly why this potential deal has become worth watching even before anything is finalized. [Read more 🡒]
Blackhawks Get Encouraging Bowen Byram Update At Crucial Time
The injury picture across the Central and Pacific is starting to shift, and for Calgary it comes with an immediate change to the lineup. Mikael Backlund will miss the game against the Minnesota Wild with an upper-body injury, his first absence of the 2026-27 season, leaving a noticeable hole in a group that has leaned on his all-around game for years.
Backlund has been one of Ryan Huskas most trusted forwards, especially in short-handed situations, so his absence changes more than just the captaincy duties for one night. Around the division, there are other health updates worth watching too, including Chicago defenseman Bowen Byram continuing to progress in his recovery and staying day-to-day, a sign the Blackhawks may be getting closer to having another key piece available again. [Read more 🡒]
Canadiens Suddenly Face A Huge Test Without Nick Suzuki
Nick Suzukis run of 546 straight NHL games is over, and the Canadiens are now trying to recalibrate quickly before facing the Chicago Blackhawks. Montreal practiced without its captain, while the club also recalled forward Owen Beck from Laval, a sign that the lineup shuffle could go deeper than one missing center. Injured defenseman Mike Matheson and forward Florian Xhekaj were both on the ice as well, giving the team at least a few additional moving parts to work through before puck drop.
Oliver Kapanen slid into Suzukis place on the top line, a notable adjustment for a team that has leaned heavily on its captain for consistency and structure. The bigger issue is what comes next, because Suzukis absence is not expected to be a brief one, and Montreal will have to find a way to stay organized without the player who has anchored so much of its attack and identity. [Read more 🡒]