For years, Calgary Flames general manager Brad Treliving has spoken of the “push from below” – a potential ground-swell of prospects pushing to take jobs from NHL veterans. This year, the best opportunity for a player pushing from below could come up the middle. With Derek Ryan departed to Edmonton via free agency, there’s no incumbent fourth line centre.
Here’s a look at the four top contenders for that gig.
The four contenders are two veterans – Brad Richardson and Byron Froese – and two relative youngsters – Adam Ruzicka and Glenn Gawdin.
Richardson, 36, is a veteran left shot centre who’s played for Colorado, Los Angeles, Vancouver, Arizona and Nashville and is a known quantity in NHL circles.