What does Tobias Rieder bring to the Calgary Flames?

The Calgary Flames are bringing in Tobias Rieder after the PTO forward earned a contract.

The Calgary Flames have signed 26-year-old right wing Tobias Rieder to a one year, two-way contract worth $700,000. Rieder impressed a lot of people during his PTO in Calgary right from the beginning, but he really blew out of the water in his final preseason game.

German right winger Tobias Rieder didn’t have himself the bounce-back season he was looking for when the Oilers picked him up for the 2018-19 season. The year prior, he had just 4 goals and 2 assists with the Los Angeles Kings.

More from Puck Prose

• Detroit Red Wings 2023 Rookie Camp Has Plenty of Ups and Downs
• This Columbus Blue Jackets rookie doesn’t want to be forgotten
• 2 trades the Boston Bruins must make to secure the Stanley Cup
• 3 reasons the Avalanche won’t win the Stanley Cup in 2024
• This is a big year for Alex Turcotte and the Los Angeles Kings

Unfortunately for Rieder, things got worse. His first and only season in Edmonton was a career-worst in terms of goals. He registered 0 goals and just 11 assists. Once the gloomy season ended in Edmonton, so did Rieder’s time with the team. It was once again time for a change of scenery.

With the Flames early postseason exit shocking management, players and fans, a number of possibilities were discussed in the offseason. It became very clear, the Flames needed to get stronger, and faster.

Rieder was offered a PTO (Professional Try Out) by Flames GM Brad Treliving, and Rieder certainly took advantage, as this could potentially be his last kick at the can to prove he can still play at the pro level.

Rieder displayed high speed and great skating abilities in all 6 of the preseason games he played with the Flames. In his first appearance against the Canucks, he registered a beautiful break out pass assist on Austin Czarnik’s goal. In his second game wearing his new red threads, he deposited another assist on an Alan Quine goal, giving the Flames a 2-1 lead at that point, as the Flames would eventually win 6-4.

The second to last preseason game may have seen Rieder go pointless against the Sharks, but he was easily the most effective Flame, as he created chances, and earned just under 15 minutes of ice time. The last game of preseason couldn’t have possibly been a higher pressure situation for Rieder.

His old teammates, and newfound rival, the Edmonton Oilers were paying a visit. Rieder blew up. Registering two of the 3 Flames goals that night. What a relief for him, as the Flames took down their provincial rivals.

Rieder’s performance that night, along with a great preseason production-wise is what ultimately pushed Brad Treliving to sign him. It’s a very low risk and a low-cost deal. Being that its a two-way contract, if Rieder struggles, he can be sent down to the Stockton Heat to further develop his game. After seeing his speed, and his ability to put up points, he could be slotted in on the fourth line’s right side if Austin Czarnik is ever off his game, or if any injuries occur within the roster.

Rieder brings a backup plan for the Flames if anyone needs a night off. It never hurts to have a young, speedy winger in your back pocket. Rieder should see a fair bit of action this season with the Flames. He finished second in the Flames fitness testing this season. He’s in fantastic shape, and he adds a sense of depth and reassurance to the Flames lineup. A line up that has big expectations surrounding it heading into the 2019-20 campaign.