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Flames release Higgins from PTO

Calgary Flames v Edmonton Oilers

EDMONTON, AB - SEPTEMBER 26: Chris Higgins #20 of the Calgary Flames skates against the Edmonton Oilers on September 26, 2016 at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)

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Chris Higgins’ bid to earn a contract with the Flames is over.

On Monday, Calgary announced it had released Higgins from his professional tryout, just one day after dumping another veteran -- Lauri Korpikoski -- from his PTO.

(If there’s a silver lining for Higgins, it’s that Korpikoski quickly found work, signing on with Dallas.)

Higgins, 33, was extended a camp invite in the hopes of potentially helping Calgary’s shaky penalty kill, but his work in the preseason failed to win over management. Foot speed, or lack thereof, has been an issue.

One has to wonder if this is the end of the line. Higgins was bought out of his contract in Vancouver last year after the Canucks were unable to trade him, then sent him down to the AHL.

If so, the former first-round pick had a pretty good run. Higgins has appeared in over 700 NHL contests, recording three 20-goal seasons and 165 total for his career.