Michael Frolik broke his jaw, out week-to-week

Lads and ladies, the Calgary Flames have held their media availability prior to tonight’s game with the Anaheim Ducks. One of the topics discussed was the status of winger Michael Frolik, who left yesterday’s game in San Jose after blocking a Brent Burns shot with his face. The news is not good.

Peter Loubardias’ Twitter related the injury as “week-to-week.”

Frolik is a big loss. He plays what head coach Glen Gulutzan would describe as “a clean game,” in that he plays smart and doesn’t take a lot of shortcuts.

While Mikael Backlund and Matthew Tkachuk arguably get more accolades, Frolik is probably the glue guy on the 3M line: he does a lot of small things really well and that helps out everybody he’s on the ice with. In 37 games this season, Frolik has seven goals and 15 points playing almost exclusively with Backlund and Tkachuk and getting basically no power play time.

Frolik’s absence will open up a roster spot for a few weeks. Based on comments Odland related from Gulutzan’s media availability, it sounds like they’re going to go with the guys they have for now. Jaromir Jagr just returned to the lineup and the club is carrying Curtis Lazar and Freddie Hamilton as extra forwards so one of those two gents will slot in for the time being.

That said, Andrew Mangiapane, Marek Hrivik and Morgan Klimchuk have all been playing very well for the American Hockey League’s Stockton Heat this season and could merit some NHL time.