Per the Calgary Flames organization.
Following yesterday’s medical and fitness testing, it was determined that Oliver is unable to participate in the opening of training camp today. As this is a private personal matter, no further information will be provided.
Veteran center and potential captain Mikael Backlund had this to say of the situation:
"We miss him here in the room. He brings a lot of energy in the room. Tremendous player. But his health comes first..."
Training Camp The rest of the players were split up into groups and got going with on-ice sessions. Per the organization, here are today’s lines.
Team Vernon Jonathan Huberdeau - Elias Lindholm - Yegor Sharangovich Jakob Pelletier - Kevin Rooney - Walker Duehr Sam Honzek - Connor Zary - Matt Coronato Dryden Hunt - Cole Schwindt - Emilio Pettersen
Noah Hanifin - Rasmus Andersson Nikita Zadorov - MacKenzie Weegar Ilya Solovyov - Nick DeSimone Colton Poolman - Jarrod Gourley
Jacob Markstrom Dan Vladar
Team Iginla Andrew Mangiapane - Mikael Backlund - Blake Coleman Adam Ruzicka - Nazem Kadri - Dillon Dube Clark Bishop - Ben Jones - Adam Klapka Luca Ciona - Brett Sutter - William Stromgren / Martin Pospisil
Jordan Oesterle - Chris Tanev Dennis Gilbert - Brady Lyle Etienne Morin - Yan Kuznetsov Jonathan Aspirot
Dustin Wolf Oscar Dansk
Temporary Pairing Chris Tanev skated with Jordan Oesterle today, but, likely, he was originally pencilled in to play with Kylington.
Reunited As a refresher, here is the Calgary forward lineup at the end of last season.
Dube-Lindholm-Toffoli Huberdeau-Backlund-Mangiapane Pelletier-Kadri-Coronato Lucic-Lewis-Coleman
Also returning to the same-old are the pairings of Hanifin-Andersson and Zadorov-Weegar. Defencemen tend to prefer the consistency of staying on one pairing for extended stretches, but time will tell if Nikita Zadorov stays on a pairing with MacKenzie Weegar. The 28 year old Russian found himself bouncing between pairings down the stretch including time on the third pairing with Troy Stetcher.
Something New Ruzicka-Kadri-Dube is certainly an interesting line. The 24 year old Adam Ruzicka will have to keep his motor redlined to keep up with the speedy Nazem Kadri and Dillon Dube.
Bell Signs 2022 fifth round pick Parker Bell signed an entry level contract today. The 6’4… forechecking specialist turns 20 on the 26th of this month and will be eligible to play in the AHL. Regardless of where he plays, this season will burn one year of his ELC.
Lots of developments are just around the corner.
Trevor Neufeld
@Trevor_Neufeld
Stats via eliteprospects.com.