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Flames ink d-man Bartkowski to PTO

Calgary Flames v Vancouver Canucks

VANCOUVER, BC - OCTOBER 10: Matt Bartkowski #44 of the Vancouver Canucks skates during the pre-game warm up prior to NHL action against the Calgary Flames on October 10, 2015 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images)

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Calgary made a roster move on Wednesday, signing blueliner Matt Bartkowski to a professional tryout.

Bartkowski, 28, has spent all of this season with Boston’s AHL affiliate in Providence, scoring 10 points in 34 games. His last NHL action came in ’15-16, when he scored 18 points in 80 games with Vancouver.

And that’s where the familiarity angle comes into play.

Though he was oft criticized for his play last season, Bartkowski did log career highs across the board with the Canucks -- under the watchful eye of then-assistant coach Glen Gulutzan, who’s now the head man in Calgary.

That said, it’s tough to see where Bartkowski would fit in the Flames lineup. He could push for a spot in the bottom pair, currently comprised of Brett Kulak and Deryk Engelland, though the likes of Jyrki Jokipakka and Tyler Wotherspoon are fighting for those minutes as well.

He also might provide the Flames some roster flexibility as they head into the Mar. 1 trade deadline, and the upcoming expansion draft.