When I suggested the Calgary Flames may place a veteran on the “injured reserve” to allow for first round draft pick Sam Bennett to audition for the NHL, Mikael Backlund is pretty much the last person I wanted to see injured. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports
Good morning Calgary Flames fans!!
A final look at the “Which Calgary Flame Prospect not named Sam Bennett makes the opening day (Oct 8) roster” poll shows that Johnny Gaudreau earned 71% of the Flame For Thought vote. Alone in second place, by a considerable margin, Michael Ferland.
Michael Ferland did not play in either of the Calgary Flame/Edmonton Oiler split squad games from Sunday September 21st. I hope he is able to play Wednesday September 24th in Sylvan Lake against the Arizona Coyotes.
"Sep 21 – 6:12 AM Michael Ferland left Flames practice early with an undisclosed injury.Source: Rotoworld"
Mikael Backlund seems a certainty not to play this Wednesday in Sylvan Lake. News surrounding Mikael Backlund seems to be getting scarier and scarier regarding the abdominal strain he reportedly suffered just before coming back to Calgary from Sweden for camp. This appears to be becoming more than your typical “pre-cautionary preseason rest” for Backs.
"“I don’t have any news to tell you,” reported Calgary Flames head coach Bob Hartley when asked about the pivot’s absence from the ice over the past few days. “But I’m worried . . . he’s still not on the ice.”"
I know some Calgary Flames fans have high expectations for our Calgary Flames 1st round draft pick Sam Bennett, but sliding him into Mikael Backlund’s top line center role to start the season is TOO SOON. Another salivating look would be starting the season with Sean Monahan as the number one center and Sam Bennett as the second line center but not in 2014 – – TOO SOON. First things first, with the Calgary Flames playing 3 games in 3 successive nights this week (Wednesday in Sylvan Lake, Thursday/Friday home and home against Corrado’s Vancouver Canucks) here’s hoping we see Mr. Bennett in game action at least twice.
To finish this mornings article, a great line by Calgary Flames Head Coach Bob Hartley regarding his “orders” to TJ Brodie to shoot the puck more this upcoming season,
"“If I had a dollar for every time I told Brodes to shoot last year, I could retire.”"
Have a great day Flames fans!