The brothers have been broken up. According to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, Freddie Hamilton has been claimed by the Arizona Coyotes after being waived by the Calgary Flames yesterday, and will have to say goodbye to his brother Dougie as he heads to his next opportunity. In his absence, the Flames have recalled Marek Hrivik from the minor leagues.
It’s an interesting claim by Arizona, who obviously are hoping to unlock the offensive potential Hamilton has shown in junior and the minor leagues. The 26-year old forward has just six points in 67 career NHL games, but has been stuck in the press box as a healthy scratch for much of this season and last. When called upon, he’s been an effective energy player for the Flames but he’ll look to be more than that in Arizona.
Hrivik, 26, had been tearing up the minor leagues for the Stockton Heat, scoring 29 points in 28 games this season. The Slovakian forward became a Group VI free agent in the offseason after the New York Rangers gave him just 21 NHL games during his tenure, and signed a one-year deal with Calgary on July 1st. Earning the minimum, he’ll try to prove that he’s more than just a minor league player and secure a one-way deal for next season.
Dougie is gonna ask for a trade to Arizona. Just like he asked out of Boston for the same reason
Dougie and Freddie… nice parents.
Not resigning Hrivik was yet another, in a long line , of dumb moves by Gorton and the Rangers management. He may never be a star, but showed speed and potential in NY. Yet, instead they’d rather play Paul Carey (no offense to Carey who has been ok given his limited role), than sign Hrivik, who can play some center, and is obviously a better overall player than Nieves.