The Calgary Flames returned home Friday after a tough road trip that saw the team play three games in four days. Unfortunately, the Flames lost all three one-goal games, with two decided in overtime. Returning home with only two of a possible six points is not desirable, but the team played strong hockey despite being riddled with injuries.
Jacob Markstrom’s finger injury on December 4 saw the team lean on Dan Vladar and Dustin Wolf during the trip. The injury trouble didn’t end there as Chris Tanev took a hit from Avs’ forward Ross Colton on Monday night that saw Tanev exit the game and out of action since then. With Jakob Pelletier on the injured reserve since the preseason, and Oliver Kylington and Kevin Rooney on LTIR, GM Craig Conroy has had to look to the AHL Wranglers.
Things haven’t been terrible considering the circumstances. Connor Zary and Martin Pospisil have been shining additions to the team and Dustin Wolf is gaining meaningful NHL experience and holding his own, looking great at times.
That being said, the next month could bring better news on the injury front. Let’s take a look at the IR and when we should expect to see everyone back in a red sweater.
Chris Tanev
Chris Tanev’s toughness has been a topic of conversation this season after the veteran defenceman underwent labrum surgery in the 2022 offseason, an injury he sustained in the 2022 playoff run. After still missing time post-op last season, Flames fans were hopeful Tanev would stay off the IR going into the final season of his contract.
Unfortunately, It’s been a hard-fought season for Tanev who has already missed game action after taking a shot to the face against the Vegas Golden Knights on November 27. True to form, the toothless wonder was back three days later, scoring a goal and blocking two shots against the Dallas Stars.
After he left the game against Colorado, Tanev didn’t play against Vegas Wednesday and returned to Calgary Thursday after being ruled out for the game against the Minnesota Wild. Tanev is currently listed as day-to-day with an upper body injury. Although the grizzled defenceman has a reputation for toughness, the Flames have to be getting worried about his health. Obviously, you don’t want to see anyone get injured, but Chris Tanev is a cornerstone to this team, and is playing in a crucial season for his hockey future.
It looks like Tanev’s upper body injury could be above the neck which is always an important consideration for the training staff, even more so when your player takes a shot to the head two weeks prior. I don’t doubt that Tanev has wanted to play since Tuesday against Vegas, and will be back as soon as he convinces the training staff to let him put on a helmet.
Due to his status, I would expect to see Chris Tanev back in the lineup within the next week.
Jacob Markstrom
Markstrom suffered a fractured finger on December 4 during practice. The Flames goaltender took a puck off an unpadded area of his blocker and left practice immediately. Although a broken finger sounds substantial, Markstrom was listed as week-to-week on the IR and has already been back on the ice.
Markstrom remained in Calgary over the road trip, skating on his own. Additionally, Markstrom practiced on Wednesday with the Calgary Wranglers, appearing closer to a return than many thought.
Although the Flames have only won three of their last ten games, goaltending hasn’t appeared to be the issue. Dustin Wolf and Dan Vladar both had flashes of great play in Markstrom’s absence. Regardless, Markstrom is Calgary’s number one and getting him back in the crease sooner rather than later would be great. Participating in practice likely means the injury is feeling much better and should hint at a return to the crease potentially before Christmas.
New Year – Jakob Pelletier, Oliver Kylington, Kevin Rooney
The preseason for the Calgary Flames was disappointing on the injury front to say the least. On September 21, the Flames released a statement that Oliver Kylington would not be participating in training camp after testing, continuing to deal with a personal matter. Things got worse as Jakob Pelletier suffered a serious shoulder injury on September 25 against the Seattle Kraken, landing him on season-opening injured reserve on September 27. The team confirmed Pelletier had undergone successful surgery on October 4 and set his return timeline as long-term.
The same day, the Flames added Oliver Kylington to LTIR, as well as Kevin Rooney for a shoulder injury. Rooney also underwent shoulder surgery a mere days after Jakob Pelletier and was also listed as being out long-term after a successful operation.
Little was heard about the trio until early December. On December 1, Pelletier and Kylington took the ice at WinSport. When asked about the possibility of a Kylington return after the skate, Flames HC Ryan Huska made sure to emphasize there was no timeline on Kylington’s return and just seeing him in the room was a positive for everyone around the team.
Kylington is obviously a unique case, dealing with a personal matter that has been held extremely close to the team’s chest. No matter the situation, it’s positive to see Kylington back in Calgary around the team. With Kylington on LTIR, it appears the team will look to bring him back to the lineup when he’s ready.
Only a few days later, on December 5, Kylington and Pelletier skated at the Saddledome alongside Kevin Rooney and now Flames scout Michael Stone. Seeing all three on the ice is undoubtedly a good sign.
Whatever Kylington’s situation is, being on the ice and around teammates is beneficial. On the shoulder front, Pelletier and Rooney were seen skating almost exactly two months post-op. Although this is positive, it doesn’t mean either are close to a return. The type of shoulder surgery wasn’t disclosed by the team but labrum surgery such as Andrew Mangiapane had this offseason, and Chris Tanev had the offseason prior typically takes four to six months to fully heal. With that timeline, we may not see either Rooney or Pelletier until after the All-Star break, if not at all this season.
The next notable step for Rooney and Pelletier will be taking part in non-contact drills at a team practice, from there, it’d probably be another couple of weeks until contact is introduced. Then full practice, and a rehab assignment with the Wranglers. Sadly, it’s a long haul when considering shoulder injuries and the last thing the team wants to do is rush someone back and have it turn into a worse situation.
The long and short game
Fans should expect to see Chris Tanev return to the lineup first within the next week. Jacob Markstrom’s return to the ice this week is very positive and should follow Tanev, returning hopefully before Christmas. Jakob Pelletier and Kevin Rooney continue to rehab shoulder injuries but the timetable for their return is still uncertain. Hopefully, the Flames see both return at some point this season but I would be surprised to see either return before the end of February. Oliver Kylington is skating and it seems the team is taking a player-led approach with his personal situation, leaving his return undetermined but working in the right direction.
For those following Wranglers news, highly touted defensive prospect Jeremie Poirier hit the IR on October 24 with a laceration. Poirier required surgery and has been out indefinitely since. Outside of Poirier being seen at the rink in a sling, little is known about his timeline for return.
Hopefully, the turn of the calendar brings some familiar faces and health for the Flames after an injury-riddled start to the season.
Photo by Brett Holmes/Icon Sportswire
