The Calgary Flames hoped Walker Duehr would pan out as a perfect complement to the franchise’s bottom six forwards. But after 16 games in the NHL this season, they decided to expose him to waivers to send him back to the AHL this week

With just a single assist so far, Duehr seemed to be lacking the spark he showed during his prolonged stint with the Flames in 2022-23 and during 40 games last season.

Instead of going to the Calgary Wranglers, though, the 27-year-old was scooped from waivers by the Sharks. With new life on the NHL ice, Duehr made an immediate impact with a tip-in goal to cut into a 3-0 Sharks deficit before the midway mark of the first period on Thursday.

Duehr took the Flames by storm in 2022-23, with seven goals and 11 points in 24 games under former Calgary Flames head coach Darryl Sutter. The 6-foot-3 power forward suited Sutter’s hard-nosed system. Duehr came in with a reckless abandon and impressed with his speed and skill even in a lower-line role.

But his stats were somewhat inflated by a wild hot streak — he scored four goals and seven points during a 10-game stretch late in the season with little on the line for the Flames

Sharks head coach expressed that he thought Duehr could bring an attitude to the young and rebuilding roster. The former Calgary Flames winger certainly made a strong first impression.

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