Hartley: Smid and Byron Not Practicing ‘Til After Monday

There wasn’t any big news in Calgary today, as the Calgary Flames continued to prepare for the 2015-16 season with a scrimmage and a few practices.

But following today’s on-ice activities, Flames head coach Bob Hartley shared some information about Ladislav Smid and Paul Byron in regards to their progression. Basically: they won’t be on-ice with the three practice groups until after Monday’s pre-season openers in Calgary and Edmonton.

“You might see them once after the Edmonton double-header,” said Hartley after Saturday’s practice sessions. “Not right now. We want this to be competitive, they understand it. We can’t put a yellow jersey to a player. We tell the guys that we want a competitive camp and if we put those two guys with jerseys on the ice that can’t get hit, it defeats the purpose. So I sat with both of them and they understand that it’s for four days, and after this we’re going to figure out a way where… they can skate good, they can play, but they just can’t get hit right now. So that’s the problem.”

Smid had neck surgery late last season, while Byron had wrist surgery in the off-season after suffering what Hartley jokingly referred to as an “all-over-body injury” in the later stages of last season.

In other news: Jonas Hiller and Garnet Hathaway returned to the ice today after missing yesterday with a bug that’s going around. Mason Raymond was not on the ice today for the same reason. Jon Gillies (concussion protocol) remains off the ice, though he’s doing “much better,” per Hartley.