Calgary Flames: Could Ryan Lomberg be the new tough guy?

The Calgary Flames need a new tough guy, even with Milan Lucic on board. Could Ryan Lomberg fill that role?

The Calgary Flames came to terms with 24-year-old left-winger Ryan Lomberg on Tuesday, July 16th. They re-signed Lomberg to a one year, two-way deal worth $700,000. He is known as quite the pesky player, who would drop the gloves with just about anyone.

Over the last two seasons, he’s played 11 games with the Flames on a call-up basis from the minors, and he’s inserted himself into four fights at the pro levels. Lomberg certainly isn’t afraid to stick up for teammates.

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Last season, with only .55 seconds remaining in a game against the Minnesota Wild, defenseman Matt Dumba took a run at Flames forward Mikael Backlund. He had his head down all the way, and didn’t read the play, but Lomberg didn’t think twice to shed his mitts, and he went after Dumba.

He certainly proved to the Flames faithful that night that he wouldn’t let any cheap shots go unnoticed. He may only clock in at 5’9″, but he’s also 196 pounds, and he uses all of his weight when he’s on the ice to punish the opposition.

Unfortunately, though, that fight cost Lomberg a two-game suspension. But it earned him a lot of respect from his teammates and the fans.

Last year, Lomberg played 58 games for the Flames minor league team, the Stockton Heat, where he got 12 goals and 17 assists to total out for 29 points on the season.

Of course, If Lomberg wants to make the jump the National Hockey League, and be a mainstay on the roster in Calgary, he’ll have to work extremely hard this offseason. I could see him having an opportunity on the Flames fourth line, where he could potentially replace Garnet Hathaway.

Hathaway recently signed with the Washington Capitals, but Lomberg would have his hands full if he wants to replace Hathaway, who nearly played 76 games with the Flames last year. He put up 11 goals and 8 assists, and he also has a 6’2 and 210-pound body on his side. That’s something Lomberg doesn’t have, but what he does have is a desire to play in Calgary, and a toughness that size can’t define.

Last season at Flames practice, assistant coach and former Flame, Martin Gelinas, was putting in some extra work with Lomberg after all the other Flames players had exited the ice. Gelinas was pushing Lomberg to the max, challenging him to shoot from impossible angles and working on his skating ability for nearly 30 minutes after practice had ended.

I had stayed to watch the extra work that Lomberg was putting in, and after he headed to the tunnel, I said to him “Ryan, Calgary loves your style of play, keep up the hard work.” Lomberg’s response was straight from the heart. He replied with enthusiasm, “I love Calgary!”

To me, that’s the type of player you want on your roster. A guy who can stick up for his teammates, who will work hard without complaining, and who truly wants to be a part of the organization.

The Flames need grit when it comes to the postseason, too. This year’s first-round exit at the hands of Colorado Avalanche should serve as a wakeup call. The Flames didn’t have the same willingness to grind and battle for possession that the Avs did, and ultimately it showed, especially in Game 5.

The Flames really only have three tough guys at the moment – Matthew Tkachuk, Milan Lucic, and Sam Bennett. Both players are much better suited as point producers though, and they’ve certainly proven that.

Lomberg may see most of next season down in the minors, but if things go well and he can impress the Flames during training camp and preseason, he may earn himself a spot on the Flames fourth line.

The Flames still have some players to likely trade before the will be able to re-sign both Bennett and Tkachuk.  That could leave the left spot on the 4th line open on the Flames roster, and if there’s a player from the Stockton Heat that deserves a shot at being the new 4th line grinder, I’d put my money on Lomberg. He’ll have a lot to prove when training camp approaches in Calgary.