The Calgary Flames returned to the practice ice on Wednesday and there were some developments regarding the team’s roster and the injury status of a pair of key players.
Gawdin sent back to Stockton
The Flames skated with 15 forwards. After practice, the odd man out was rookie Glenn Gawdin, who was re-assigned to the AHL’s Stockton Heat (leaving the Flames with 14 forwards).
The #Flames have assigned Glenn Gawdin to the @AHLHeat. https://t.co/1Zk9RqjG3w
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) February 19, 2020
Gawdin was in the NHL for two days, but it’s more valuable for him to be playing in the AHL rather than eating popcorn in the NHL.
Derek Ryan back practicing
After missing two games with an illness, Derek Ryan returned to the practice ice as one of the aforementioned 15 forwards.
#Flames at practice today:
Gaudreau-Monahan-Lindholm
Mangiapane-Backlund-Tkachuk
Lucic-Bennett-Dube
Rinaldo-Jankowski-Rieder
Gawdin-Ryan-Robinson
Hanifin-Andersson
Brodie-Stone
Kylington-Davidson
Yelesin
— Pat Steinberg (@Fan960Steinberg) February 19, 2020
He skated as an extra forward, but pay more attention to the team’s lines on Thursday. If he’s on a “regular” line, expect him to be activated from the injury reserve for the Friday night game against the Boston Bruins.
Mark Giordano will travel with team
After Geoff Ward had an update on Mark Giordano’s status on Sportsnet 960’s morning show on Tuesday, the general manager had a bit more detail. In short? He’s progressing, has skated on his own, and will travel with the team on next week’s five game road trip.
Per GM Brad Treliving: Mark Giordano has skated on his own the last two days. Still no definitive timeline on a return.
Hamonic a little further away, still classified as week-to-week. Says team fully expects both to return this season. #Flames
— Pat Steinberg (@Fan960Steinberg) February 19, 2020
Per Treliving, Giordano wouldn’t be traveling if there wasn’t a chance he could play. So that’s good news, and paints a sunnier picture than Tuesday’s update.