Colorado for very long, as on July 7, 1995, the Avalanche traded Ling and Colorado's ninth round draft pick in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft to the Calgary Flames for the Flames' ninth round draft pick in the same draft. Calgary Flames Ling made his professional hockey debut with the Saint John Flames of the American Hockey League (AHL) during the 1995–96 season, scoring 24 goals and 56 points in 75 games with Saint John, while registering 179 PIM. Ling then appeared in nine playoff games for Saint John, earning five assists. He began the 1996–97 season with Saint John once again, however, Ling appeared in only five games, getting two assists. On October 24, 1996, Calgary traded Ling and the Flames' sixth round draft pick in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft to the Montreal Canadiens for Scott Fraser. Montreal Canadiens Ling would continue the 1996–97 season with the Fredericton Canadiens of the AHL, where he scored 22 goals, 58 points and 240 PIM in 48 games. Ling also made his National Hockey League debut during the season, going pointless in two games with the Montreal Canadiens. Ling began the 1997–98 season with Fredericton once again, where in 67 games, he had 25 goals and 66 points. Ling also appeared in one game with Montreal, where he did not earn a point. On March 14, 1998, the Canadiens traded Ling to the Chicago Blackhawks for Martin Gendron. Chicago Blackhawks Ling finished out the 1997–98 season with the Indianapolis Ice of the International Hockey League (IHL), where he had 14 points in 12 games, then earning five points in five playoff games. On September 3, 1998, Ling signed with the Kansas City Blades of the IHL, however, the Blackhawks retained his NHL rights. He had a very solid 1998–99 season in Kansas City, scoring 30 goals and 72 points in 82 games, however, he recorded only a goal in three playoff games with the Blades. Ling returned to Kansas City for the 1999–2000 season, as he had an even better season with the Blades, recording 35 goals and 83 points in 82 games. On August 11, 2000, the Blackhawks traded Ling to the Dallas Stars for future considerations. Dallas Stars Ling was sent to the Dallas Stars' IHL affiliate for the 2000–01 season, where he struggled offensively, as his numbers dropped to 15 goals and 43 points in 79 games with