David Jones injured, will not return to the game

David Jones was in just his fifth shift of the game when his night unexpectedly came to an end. 

Shortly after the Flames made it a 4-1 game off of Mikael Backlund’s eighth of the season, Brent Burns took a shot of his own. It didn’t reach Karri Ramo, though because Jones – more specifically, the inside of Jones’ leg – got in the way.

Jones fell to the ice, and struggled to get back up. It took him roughly 13 seconds after blocking the shot to make his way back to the bench, after which point he left the game, having played just 3:44 on the night.

It’s unknown just how serious Jones’ injury is. The last time this happened, T.J. Brodie blocked a shot against the Carolina Hurricanes and, despite a couple of attempts at returning to the game, ultimately, couldn’t go. He wasn’t badly hurt, though, and was in the Flames’ lineup the next night, playing big minutes once again.

Jones, on the other hand, didn’t stay on the bench or even go for a spin in between whistles – he simply left the ice, and that was that. This doesn’t mean he’ll be missing a lot of time, but it is a notable difference when estimating how bad his injury may be.

Jones doesn’t have nearly as valuable an on-ice presence, but where his loss may really be felt is in his contractual status. An upcoming unrestricted free agent, Jones may not be a particularly sexy name for a deadline deal, but he is a potential depth option – and even getting back a fourth round pick would be better than losing Jones for nothing.

We’re about two and a half weeks away from the trade deadline, so Jones being unhealthy for that period of time would not be ideal, just in case the Flames can get something for him. 

In the immediacy, it’s likely the Flames would reinsert Josh Jooris – a right winger (who probably shouldn’t be scratched to begin with) – back into the lineup.