The clock is ticking in a lot of ways for Calgary Flames forward Markus Granlund.
The 2011 draft pick is in the third and final season of his entry-level contract, after which he'll be a restricted free agent. And once his deal expires this season, he'll be subject to waivers. More urgently, the recovery of Michael Frolik's shoulder in a few weeks means that somebody has to head to the American Hockey League's Stockton Heat to free up a roster spot for the Czech veteran. The most obvious candidate is the still-waiver-exempt Granlund.
But after splitting time between the big-time and the minor leagues over the past three seasons - including 85 appearances for Calgary's AHL affiliates in Abbotsford, Adirondack and Stockton - you get the impression from listening to Granlund's coach that he might not be going anywhere else quite yet.