The Flames are likely saying goodbye to one of their young players.
Ilya Nikolaev, a forward, has been put on unconditional waivers by the team. This usually means they’re ending his contract. Drafted in 2019’s third round as the 88th pick, Nikolaev spent two years playing in Russia before moving to North America for the 2021-22 season. He joined USHL Tri-City and impressed with 23 goals and 49 assists over 58 games, earning an entry-level contract.
But things haven’t gone smoothly since then. He split his first two professional seasons between AHL Calgary and ECHL Rapid City. In the 2022-23 season, he mostly played with Rapid City, but last year was different . Hopes were high he’d secure a full-time spot in the AHL this year; however, that didn’t happen. He played only two games with the Rush and nine with the Wranglers, where he managed four assists but didn’t solidify his place.
Contract Termination:
Nikolaev is now in his final entry-level contract year. With recent performances not meeting expectations, it seemed inevitable he wouldn’t be offered a new deal by June. Fans might wonder if this is really the end of his journey here or just a new beginning elsewhere.
If he clears waivers on Friday, he’ll become an unrestricted free agent and probably seek opportunities overseas. Once his contract is terminated, Calgary will have one less player on their list—45 out of a maximum of 50.
Do you think this move will affect Calgary’s future plans?
