Rory Kerins is now on the radar for full-time duties with the Calgary Flames.
An afterthought last fall when he didn’t even draw into the lineup for exhibition action, Kerins made a statement to the organizational brass by leading the AHL’s Wranglers with 33 goals and 61 points.
On his first career callup, he notched four assists over a five-game span.
Kerins’ quest to be an NHL regular continued Thursday when he inked a one-year, two-way contract with a cap-hit of US$775,000.
Flames general manager Craig Conroy signed three restricted free agents in one swoop, also hammering out new deals with defencemen Yan Kuznetsov and Jeremie Poirier.
“I think a lot about that stint up in the NHL, just how awesome it was and how much I learned,” Kerins told Postmedia toward the end of this past season. “And I just think about how much I want to get back.”
This 23-year-old forward definitely has earned a long look when training camp opens in September.
It’s no secret the Flames are seeking to generate more offence — they averaged just 2.68 snipes per game in 2024-25, ranking 29th in the league in that category — and one of the potential solutions is to promote the most dangerous marksman from your farm team. Kerins finished fourth in the AHL in goals and tied for 10th in points.
The question is: Where could this up-and-coming lefty fit in Flames the lineup?
While he was the Wranglers top centre for most of the season, Kerins worked the wing in his handful of appearances at the NHL level. The debate about his potential as a pivot always is focused on his ability to push the pace, something he has been determined to address in his sessions with skating coach Danielle Fujita.
With Nazem Kadri, Mikael Backlund and Morgan Frost locked in, the Flames’ only opening up the middle is in a fourth-line role and Justin Kirkland is the clear frontrunner for that job after inking a one-way deal.
Trouble is, it’s even more crowded on the wings. We will list nine names — in alphabetical order, Blake Coleman, Matt Coronato, Joel Farabee, Jonathan Huberdeau, Adam Klapka, Ryan Lomberg, Martin Pospisil, Yegor Sharangovich and Connor Zary — and remind you there only are eight every-night slots on the flank.
While those may seem like discouraging odds for an on-the-cusper, the positive for Kerins is that he’s now in the group of guys who will get a serious shot at stealing a job.
“Sniffing for the big club” is how he described it in an interview Thursday with the team website.
His breakout campaign with the Wranglers, which included nine power-play markers, five game-winning goals and an invitation to the AHL All-Star Classic, certainly has put him in that mix.
Kerins is entering his fourth season in the pro ranks and it is not uncommon for a late-round draft choice to require at least that much runway.
At the Wranglers’ exit interviews in late April, the No. 174 overall pick from 2020 admitted that his accomplishments from this past winter had just started to sink in.
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“I was like, ‘Wow, I played in the NHL this year. That’s pretty cool,’” Kerins said. “I kind of came into the year with no expectations and they were all blown away. I am very happy with the year I had, and I’m excited for more.”
WHAT ABOUT THE BLUE-LINERS?
The Flames must believe that Kuznetsov is nearly ready for primetime because his two-year contract upgrades to a one-way for the 2026-27 campaign. A second-round pick in 2020, he will be 24 then.
This Russian lefty plays a steady, stay-at-home style and led all Wranglers last season with a plus-21 rating. At 6-foot-5 and 220 pounds, he has been studying how Kevin Bahl takes advantage of his size and reach to shut down offensive rushes. He has logged only one appearance at the highest level and that was in January of 2024.
Kuznetsov’s new pact is similar to the one that Ilya Solovyov inked about a year ago. It will offer some financial security — in Kuznetsov’s case, that one-way deal next winter means he’ll collect his full NHL salary of US$812,500 even if he is demoted to the minors — but does not necessarily guarantee a roster spot.
With Joel Hanley re-upped, Solovyov is probably wondering where he fits on the depth chart on the left side.
Poirier, 23, was tops on the Flames’ farm team this past season with 37 assists. He has high-end offensive skills, but has been challenged through his three pro campaigns to show he can be more reliable with his decision-making and defensive play.
Poirier signed a one-year, two-way contract that comes with a cap-hit of US$775,000 if he earns his first NHL call-up.
ICE CHIPS: With Kerins, Kuznetsov and Poirier all putting pen to paper, Zary is the Flames’ lone remaining restricted free agent.