For two straight seasons, Samuel Honzek has won a spot with the Calgary Flames coming out of training camp, and through 18 games in 2025/26, he started to emerge as a genuine top-nine player of the future for the organization.
Unfortunately, that's where his campaign would come to an end, and for two straight seasons, the former first-round draft pick has been dealing with injuries, leading to major frustration among the fanbase.
In 2026/27, he's started well once more, and while the production hasn't yet come along with it, the potential remains there, but now, Head Coach Ryan Huska has revealed how long the 21-year-old will be out.
Samuel Honzek Officially Week-to-Week for the Calgary Flames
In four games this season, Honzek is yet to get on the scoresheet, but his strong two-way play has seen him emerge as one of the teams most consistent forwards, and after showing so much potential, the belief is that it's just a matter of time until he breaks out.
Unfortunately, injuries have struck again, and after missing the Flames 4-2 loss to the Anaheim Ducks, the team confirmed he will be out 'week-to-week', although Huska hopes that it's on the shorter end of that timeline.
"Hopefully it's the shorter end of the week-to-week scale."Ryan Huska on Sam Honzek
"Hopefully it's the shorter end of the week-to-week scale."#Flames head coach Ryan Huska talks about Sam Honzek's injury and talks about the team's mindset heading into their two-game road trip. pic.twitter.com/BpDla1eUv7
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) October 12, 2026
Can the Flames Get a Full-Time NHLer out of Samuel Honzek?
Across 27 NHL games to date, Honzek has tallied 2 goals and 4 points, but given his size at 6-foot-4, 186 pounds, there's a role for him in the NHL that doesn't require him to score at a very high level. In the next few years, the team are set to lose the likes of Mikael Backlund and Joel Farabee, and in Honzek, they have a perfect third-line player that can play the penalty kill and a defensive role at 5v5.
However, to get to that point, he needs to stay on the ice for a consistent stretch, but as of right now, he hasn't shown the ability to remain healthy over a full season. At 21-years-old, there's still time for him to turn things around, and while there's no doubt frustration, the Flames are able to be patient with the situation.
Last year, Honzek's injury ended his campaign early, but this year, he'll have the opportunity to get back on the ice, and if he can play 50+ games this season, we'll learn plenty about Honzek and his future in the league.
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