The Calgary Flames began their regular season last Wednesday against the Winnipeg Jets. However, one player that has yet to begin his 2023-24 campaign is 2023 first-round selection Samuel Honzek. Honzek has been assigned to the Western Hockey League’s Vancouver Giants, but he has yet to suit up due to injury.

Per The Province’s Steve Ewen, Honzek will miss the next 6-8 weeks due to a lower-body injury.

Honzek was injured in the first period of the Flames’ 7-2 pre-season loss to the Edmonton Oilers back on Oct. 4. Noted initially as day-to-day, Honzek was re-assigned to the WHL the following day. But he’s remained with the Flames as they assessed his status. As you can imagine, Honzek’s an incredibly important piece for both the Flames and Giants, so they’re likely being cautious about how they handle his injury recovery and return to action.

Honzek was selected by the Flames with the 16th overall selection in the 2023 NHL Draft in Nashville and signed his entry-level deal shortly after the draft. He’s expected to be an all-situations forward for the Giants this season, likely playing a mixture of left wing and centre, as well as a big piece of the Slovakian national junior team at this winter’s World Juniors. A 6-8 week timeline would see him return basically right in time to leave for the World Juniors.

The Giants added Czech forward Patrik Kral to their roster, for the time being, to use Honzek’s import roster spot until his return to action.