Flames release Cody Eakin, Sonny Milano from tryout deals

With training camp nearing the end, the Calgary Flames have released Cody Eakin and Sonny Milano from their professional tryout offers.

Eakin, 31, has played 701 NHL games over 11 years with Washington, Dallas, Vegas, Winnipeg, and Buffalo. He had 12 points in 69 games in a depth role with the Sabres last year, his second with the club. Eakin had a career-high 40 points in 2014-15 and was one of Canada’s most essential goal-scorers at the 2015 World Hockey Championship.

Eakin played in four preseason games, scoring a goal and averaging 15:38 in ice time a night.

Milano, 26, has 197 NHL games under his belt over seven seasons, totaling 36 goals and 81 points. Milano is coming off of a career-high 14-goal, 34-point season with the Anaheim Ducks, where he famously scored on Trevor Zegras’ flip pass. The Ducks elected not to re-sign Milano, who struggled to become a full-time NHLer for most of his career beforehand.

Milano also played in four preseason games but recorded no points and only six shots.

Both players were brought in to challenge for depth roles with the Flames this season. But earlier this week, Calgary coach Darryl Sutter publicly called both players out, leaving many to expect cuts were coming.

“I think it’s challenging for both,” Sutter said in his trademark blunt style.

It’ll be interesting to see if any team decides to take a run at either player before the season begins. Eakin can still be a bottom-line center on many teams around the league. In Milano’s case, he proved he could put pucks in the net with the proper support around him.