The Calgary Flames have waived Daniil Miromanov, a move that some fans will argue is overdue.
If Miromanov is not nabbed by another team, and a claim seems unlikely with his US$1.25-million cap hit, he will be eligible to be assigned to the AHL’s Wranglers.
The 28-year-old defenceman has dressed for only one game so far this season — he was burned wide that night on the winning goal — and has watched the rest as a healthy scratch. On the Flames’ depth chart, there are four other right-shot rearguards ahead of him.
Miromanov has become a lightning-rod for criticism in Calgary. It has seemed obvious since the start of training camp that there wasn’t an every-night role for him on a crowded blue line, which is why many have been anticipating that his name would pop up on the waiver wire sooner rather than later.
Some fans were frustrated when he cracked the opening roster and there was more grumbling this past week when the Flames continued to carry eight defencemen while demoting rookie winger Matvei Gridin to the minors.
Gridin, to his credit, seems to be taking it in stride. In two outings with the Wranglers, the 19-year-old speedster already has a pair of goals.
Related
Monday’s waiver move could be a hint of good news on the status of injured forward Martin Pospisil, who has yet to log his season debut. Pospisil skated on his own Monday and the Flames will now have an open spot so he can be activated from injured reserve.
Miromanov arrived at the Saddledome as part of the return when Noah Hanifin was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights in March 2024. The Russian has accumulated five goals and 16 points in 65 career games in the Flaming C logo.