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Nobody expected Adam Klapka to be a finished product in his first game with the Calgary Flames.
That’s not a reasonable expectation for any player coming up from the AHL.The Flames wanted Klapka to keep his game simple and focus on the things he was good at. By all accounts, the 23-year-old has done a nice job of that. He’s played on the fourth-line, has thrown hits and tried to be an energy-guy.
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And through three games in the NHL, Klapka feels like there’s been progress each time.
“I come every day and watch the videos, work on my details every day,” Klapka said Saturday. “I feel more comfortable every game and better and better. I think it just takes a little time to get on the NHL level, but I hope it’s coming soon.”Klapka is one of those players who has intrigued Flames fans for the last couple of years since the team signed him to a two-year, entry level deal in 2022. He’d gone undrafted, but at 6-foot-8 and weighing in at 235 lbs., he certainly looked like the type of guy who might be able to find a place at the top level.
And after a rapid development through his first year with the Calgary Wranglers in 2022-23, Klapka’s offensive game took another step forward this year. He scored 10 goals and added 11 assists through 33 games this season, earning a call-up to the Flames roster last week.
For now, the team isn’t relying on him to put up big offensive numbers, but he’s done what his coaches have asked him to do in his first stint as an NHL player.
There’s room for improvement, but the foundations are there.
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“There’s a big learning curve, for sure, for a young man like him,” said Flames head coach Ryan Huska. “What he’s done in the games is try to finish hits, you see him handling the puck a little bit more. We have to make sure that it’s every shift that he’s consistent with that, and that’s part of learning and growing as an NHL player.”
Klapka needs to be given the time that almost all AHL players require to adjust to the speed and intensity of playing in the NHL. That’s expected.
Puck-protection is one area where Klapka still feels there’s work to do, but he’s putting in the extra time before and after practice. He believes that part of his game is coming.
And the rest? It’s the NHL, he’s learning and trying to make the adjustments in his game that are needed if he’s going to thrive against the best players in the world on a night-to-night bases.
“The guys are smarter here,” Klapka said. “Sometimes, they let you go, but they’re right on you after one second. The guys are just smarter than the American Hockey League, it’s the best league in the world so I just focus on playing quick, don’t lose the puck, chip the pucks to the o-zone and go hit somebody and go to the net. Every game I feel better and better.”
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GREER SIDELINEDAfter going into the boards awkwardly in Thursday’s loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets, Flames forward A.J. Greer is set to miss the next eight weeks with a broken foot.
The Flames announced the unfortunate news on Saturday morning.
“A.J. was the one guy on that fourth-line who had some consistency to his play,” Huska said. “There was the physicality that he brought, he was an energy guy in the room for us, for sure, and he’s chipped in offensively for us. We’ll miss him for sure.
“One of those unfortunate ones, but knowing him he’ll push the envelope to get back sooner rather than later.”Greer has been a steady, physical presence on the Flames’ fourth-line since being picked up off waivers from the Boston Bruins at the end of training camp.
The 27-year-old has pitched in with six goals and four assists through 47 games. Last week, he spoke about how much he and his family have enjoyed their time since he was picked up by the Flames.
“We love our life in Calgary and hopefully we want to stay,” Greer said. “That’s the ultimate goal. I want to stay here and I want to sign a contract extension and be a valuable asset to this team.”
BACK AT PRACTICEMartin Pospisil joined the Flames at morning skate on Saturday, the first time he’s been out with the team since he was hurt in a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs on January 18.
He was not expected to play in Saturday’s game against the Chicago Blackhawks, but seeing him back out with his teammates was nonetheless good news.
“It’s the next step for him,” Huska said. “If everything keeps going the way it goes over our break, we’re expecting him to be back for our game in Boston.”
daustin@postmedia.com
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