Flames recall blueliner Brayden Pachal from the AHL’s Wranglers

In advance of Sunday night’s clash between the Calgary Flames and visiting Philadelphia Flyers, the Flames have made a roster move. The club announced on Sunday morning that they’ve recalled defenceman Brayden Pachal from the American Hockey League’s Calgary Wranglers. No corresponding roster move was announced.

Kevin Bahl missed Friday night’s game against Anaheim with a lower body injury. Bahl’s absence was fairly short notice, with teammate Joel Hanley, the team’s seventh defender, pressed into action about 15 minutes before warm-up was to begin. With Bahl’s status a question mark, adding Pachal gives the Flames some veteran depth in case of any other surprises on the back end.

Pachal began the season on the Flames’ roster as their eighth defenceman, but was waived on Oct. 6 and sent to the Wranglers the following day after clearing. At the time, the Flames were carrying 13 forwards and eight defencemen and it limited their options for mixing up the forward group a bit. Sending Pachal and Connor Zary to the AHL allowed them to bring up Jonathan Castagna and Aydar Suniev, a swap that has worked well for the big club.

Meanwhile, Pachal got a chance to play regular minutes in the AHL, something that wasn’t likely in the cards for him with the Flames. In 11 games with the Wranglers, usually playing with Axel Hurtig or Jake Livingstone on a shutdown pairing, Pachal has three assists and a plus-3 rating. He was a surprise scratch in Saturday’s Wranglers game in preparation for his call-up to the Flames.

Since Pachal cleared waivers earlier this season, he can be on the NHL roster without requiring waivers again for 30 days (or 10 game appearances). Given his age and veteran status, he seems well-suited to a short-term insurance recall.

The Flames host Philadelphia on Sunday night. The Wranglers are back in action on Tuesday night in Henderson.