The Calgary Flames opened up training camp today and there is no shortage of news coming out.
I'll get right to it:
- Ladislav Smid continues to make good progress rehabbing from a severe neck injury but he's still a ways away. Smid will not only miss the first few games of the season but he could be sidelined all of October.
#Flames D Ladislav Smid (neck) has yet to be cleared for contact. Hoping for that clearance in mid-October.
— Wes Gilbertson (@SUNGilbertson) September 17, 2015Smid will likely need at least 7-to-10 days to get in game shape once he's cleared for contact. Best case scenario (for Smid) is he returns for the start of Calgary's three-game road trip when they take on the Rangers Sunday the 25th.
- With Smid out there's a good opportunity for one of the players in camp on a tryout basis (Ryan Wilson/Aaron Johnson/Douglas Murray) or a prospect like Tyler Wotherspoon to make the team and potentially get into some games early in the year.
I think Wilson and Wotherspoon are probably better options than Smid so his absence won't be a big deal for the Flames.
Barring real solid play from one of the guys in camp on a PTO my guess is GM Brad Treliving will save the contract and keep Wotherspoon around for at least a few weeks but ultimately their play in the preseason will determine this. Luckily for us that starts in just a few days.
- The Flames have announced that five players have been cut from main camp and there aren't any surprises.
Jason Bell, Jason Fram, Julien Proulx and Tomas Soustal have been assigned to their respective CHL teams while former 5th round pick Eric Roy has been released from his amateur tryout.
None of those guys had even a slight chance at making the team so it's best for all parties to send them back to junior and let them play meaningful minutes there.
Recent posts Treliving hints at how Sam Bennett will be utilized