1 day Ago By Wes Gilbertson
On the eve of training camp, Ilya Solovyov finally scribbled his signature on a new contract with the . The priority now is to put his name on the opening-night roster. The Flames announced Thursday that they have inked Solovyov to a two-year deal that carries a big-league cap-hit of US$775,000.
It’s a two-way ticket this winter and converts to a one-way for the 2025-26 campaign. (That wasn’t the only paperwork that general manager Craig Conroy completed on Thursday. He also signed centre Cole Schwindt, who like Solovyov was a restricted free agent, to a one-year, two-way pact.
) Now 24, and because the Flames are suddenly stocked with blue-line prospects, Solovyov must be feeling some pressure to establish himself as an NHL regular. He appeared in 10 games last season, recording three assists and a minus-3 rating. He was also credited with 17 blocked shots and 14 hits.
Heading into training camp, there are three locks for every-night duties on the Flames’ back-end — returning minute-munchers Rasmus Andersson and MacKenzie Weegar and new guy Kevin Bahl, who suited up for all 82 last winter with the New Jersey Devils before being swapped to Calgary as part of the Jacob Markstrom trade. Daniil Miromanov and free-agent signing Jake Bean are also expected to be regulars, while Brayden Pachal, Joel Hanley and Jarred Tinordi are among the candidates for the remaining slots and Tyson Barrie is aiming to play his way into the mix on a professional tryout offer. The left-handed Solovyov, listed at 6-foot-3 and 208 pounds, will also be trying to stake a claim to one of those jobs.
Schwindt will be competing to crack the Flames’ lineup as a bottom-six centre. The 23-year-old righty has so far suited up for seven games at the top level, including four last season. He has been a key contributor in the minors, finishing fourth on the Wranglers’ team scoring charts with 36 points in 2023-24 and then leading the farm club with four playoff tallies.
If Schwindt earns an NHL gig, his new contract comes with a salary-cap hit of US$800,000..
