The Calgary Flames will be chatting with Oliver Kylington’s camp on a new contract soon

In 2021-22, one of the best stories around the Calgary Flames was the emergence of blueliner Oliver Kylington as an everyday NHL player. In 2022-23, one of the more disappointing stories was Kylington’s absence due to mental health challenges. But in 2023-24, Kylington’s return was an unabashed positive story and earned the defender a well-deserved nomination for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy.

During Friday’s exit interviews with the media, Kylington’s future with the Flames came up and all signs seem positive.

Kylington’s in the final year of a two year deal and technically becomes an unrestricted free agent on July 1. However, he’s been very complimentary of how the Flames handled his absence and how they supported him during his process. When asked about his future, he reiterated his desire to stick around.

“I’ve said in the past that I want to stay,” said Kylington. “I like it here and I’ve had my interest to be here. I’ll let my agents and the business side of things take care of itself, but I think I’ve been clear with how I like Calgary and how I want to try to get back with my play. Let’s see what happens.”

Back at the trade deadline, Flames general manager Craig Conroy noted that the club wanted to get through the season before really talking about the future with Kylington. Essentially, they wanted to know if he wanted to keep playing and didn’t want to try to pressure him into anything.

Speaking after exit meetings with players concluded on Friday, Conroy discussed how Kylington’s season went and his future.

“Well, first, just to have him back playing was special,” said Conroy. “Ollie said today, he wants to continue to play hockey, which is the thing that we needed to here. So we’ll be obviously talking to J.P. [Barry, Kylington’s agent] and seeing where this goes in the next month or so. So, for me personally, just to see him back playing from where he was a couple years ago to where he is now, I’m just so excited for him. I’m happy and he’s excited.”

Conroy inherited seven pending UFAs when he became GM back in May 2023. Kylington is the only one of those seven whose fate still needs resolving. It certainly sounds like there’s mutual interest in hammering out a deal to keep Kylington with the Flames.

Originally a second-round pick by the Flames in 2015, Kylington carved out a full-time role for himself with the Flames in 2021-22 when he had 31 points in 73 games playing alongside Chris Tanev. When he returned this season – after 20 months away from hockey – he had eight points in 33 games with a variety of defensive partners.

Asked if he’s still scratching the surface of what he can be at the NHL level, Kylington indicated he thinks he has more to give.

“I think I’ve shown lights of what I can be,” said Kylington. “I haven’t been that consistent because I missed a year. But I feel like I have more to show. I know that and I’m a competitor, so I know that I can give more and I want to give more. I think there’s more to see out of me.”