The Calgary Flames are getting healthier. Ahead of Friday night’s game against the Washington Capitals, there was a new face on the ice. Forward John Beecher was spotted among those skating ahead of Friday’s game.

Flames head coach Ryan Huska was asked about if things are heading in the right direction for Beecher.

“”Very much so,” said Huska, via Flames TV. “We won’t see him before the break, though. But everything is progressing nicely with him.”

The Flames claimed Beecher off waivers from Boston back on Nov. 18. He was injured back on Jan. 3 against Nashville during a fight with Nicolas Hague. Friday was his 10th game on the sidelines, between his injury and a one-game suspension he served for punching Michael McCarron during a scrum.

Also back on the ice is forward Blake Coleman, who’s been out for the past seven games with an upper-body injury suffered back on Jan. 8 in Boston. Prior to Wednesday’s game, Huska was asked about Coleman’s status.

“I would say he’s close,” said Huska, via Flames TV. “I don’t think we’ll see him this week, in my opinion, but that could change as it goes. Every day, he’s getting better and better so you never know with Blake. He’s one of those guys that is more than willing to play when’s not quite 100%. So we’ll see as it keeps progressing. He’s getting better every day, which is something we’re happy about.”

As of Friday’s game, the Flames had a full 23-man active roster, with two goaltenders, eight defencemen and 13 forwards – while he’s with the American League’s Calgary Wranglers on a conditioning stint, Zayne Parekh counts against the active roster. On the injury reserve are Beecher, Coleman, Jake Bean and Sam Honzek. The Flames have had an extra healthy forward and defenceman over the last little while.

For the Flames to activate either Beecher or Coleman from the IR, somebody would need to be assigned to the Wranglers to open up a roster spot. We’ll see how things unfold when one, or both, of those forwards are able to return to game action.