Calgary Flames Will Miss Jiri Hudler Due To Injury
The Calgary Flames will be missing Jiri Hudler for their next game due to an lower-body injury, after he left the ice during the recent Colorado Avalanche game.
As reported by the Calgary Sun’s Wes Gilbertson on Twitter, he played injured from the start of the game for the Calgary Flames:
#Flames head coach Bob Hartley on Jiri Hudler: "We knew right from the start of game he had lower-body problems. And it didn't get better."
— Wes Gilbertson (@WesGilbertson) January 3, 2016
With recent speculation that he could be decent trade bait for the Calgary Flames if they choose not to renew his contract, it leaves the path open for someone to step up into his role.
Related Story: Could Flames Seek A Hudler Deal?
Roger Millions of Sportsnet reports on Twitter that Hudler likely won’t be suiting up for the Calgary Flames against the Tampa Bay Lightning:
Instead it seems likely based on their on-ice practices that Mason Raymond will be filling in for Hudler.
Until recently, the Czech winger had been paired with Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan on the lead line for the Calgary Flames.
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However, Joe Colborne filled in against the Avalanche and is likely filling in again against the Lightning, meaning Raymond will likely find himself paired with Sam Bennett and Markus Granlund on what has been the fourth line.
Whether or not Hudler’s drop down the lines was related knowledge of an ongoing injury issue is up for speculation. It’s not fantastic if the Calgary Flames seek any value out of him on the trade market though.
His numbers are clearly down on last year’s career highs with the Calgary Flames, alongside the same duo and he’s not getting any younger – maybe last year was Jiri Hudler’s swansong if these sort of niggles persist.
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Do you think these injury concerns have existed longer than the Calgary Flames have let on? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.