Calgary Flames Acquire Kerby Rychel for Hunter Shinkaruk

The Calgary Flames and Montreal Canadiens have made a late-summer blockbuster! Okay no not really, but any trade that comes in the middle of August gives us something to talk about at least.

Calgary acquired RFA Kerby Rychel from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for Hunter Shinkaruk who’s also an RFA.

Rychel is 23 years old and like Shinkaruk was a former first round pick in the 2013 NHL draft. The Habs acquied Rychel just before the trade deadline last year as part of the Tomas Plekanec trade with the Maple Leafs.

In 71 AHL games last year Rychel put up 42 points after having 52 points in 73 games the previous year. Rychel also skated in four NHL games last year with Montreal, picking up a goal and an assist.

Rychel just recently came in at #19 in the Habs Eyes on the Prize Top 25 Under 25 which you can read here.

Rychel figures to be in the conversation for a bottom six role and will add to the training camp battle this fall. Rychel is currently an RFA but so was Hunter Shinkaruk so there’s not really any more work added to Brad Treliving’s plate.

Shinkaruk’s departure signals an end to the speculation of him as a workable prospect, and frankly I’m surprised they managed to get anything for him.

by Michael MacGillivray