Calgary Flames News

Mikael Backlund(C)|CAL
Injury
Injury
After an impressive start to the preseason on a line with Sven Baertschi and Niklas Hagman, Backlund broke his finger and is now expected to miss up to six weeks. This is not the start he had hoped for. This is not the start the team had hoped for.

Backlund was expected to start the season on the top line but suffered this setback. Last season, he scored 10 goals and 25 points through 73 games for the Flames. Temper your expectations for this coming season as he figures to lose around two months of fantasy hockey value.

Source:
The Flames Zone 2011-10-04T17:41:16.000Z
Mikael Backlund
Nazem Kadri(C)|CAL
Injury
Injury
Hearing Maple Leaf Nazem Kadri's knee injury will sideline him for three to four weeks. Official word expected from TOR in the morning.

Losing Kadri is a big hit to the team's depth chart. With Tim Connolly already injured, the former 7th overall pick was expected to center the top line. Expect a bigger role with the team when he does return, on either the first or third line.

Source:
Bob McKenzie 2011-09-28T23:12:17.000Z
Nazem Kadri
Nazem Kadri(C)|CAL
Line Change
Line Change
Free agent centre Tim Connolly wasn’t on the ice at the MasterCard Centre as Nazem Kadri moved in between wingers Jeffrey Lupul and Phil Kessel.

Kadri getting the first shot on the top line is telling for how the organization thinks of him. The 20-year-old managed 17 goals and 41 points through 44 games with the Toronto Marlies of the AHL. He could have a great deal of fantasy hockey value if he sticks.

Source:
The Star 2011-09-27T13:43:42.000Z
Nazem Kadri
Nazem Kadri(C)|CAL
Line Change
Line Change
“I really can’t worry about how others play. I have to worry about what I do,” Kadri said. “I’ve got to focus on myself and make sure I bring it every shift so I can contribute to the team.

Kadri should start the season with the big club centering their revamped third line. The 20-year-old managed 17 goals and 41 points through 44 games with the Toronto Marlies of the AHL. Despite his limited playing time, Kadri should become a scorer at the NHL level in a few years.

Source:
The Star 2011-09-23T15:35:30.000Z
Nazem Kadri
Nazem Kadri(C)|CAL
Line Change
Line Change
An early favourite to play with Colby Armstrong and Tyler Bozak on the Leafs third unit — he'll be challenged by Matt Frattin among others — Kadri has made a positive impression thus far.

Kadri should start the season with the big club centering their revamped third line. The 20-year-old managed 17 goals and 41 points through 44 games with the Toronto Marlies of the AHL. Despite his limited playing time, Kadri should become a scorer at the NHL level in a few years.

Source:
Leaf Report 2011-09-21T17:18:34.000Z
Nazem Kadri
Nazem Kadri(C)|CAL
None
Indeed, Kadri evinced a high tempo flare in the scrimmage workout, on the left side of a combination with Armstrong and Tyler Bozak. The trio, envisioned as a third-line complement, had fortuitously spent the previous month playing together in preparation for camp.

Kadri will begin the season centering the third line, effectively taking offensive pressure off his young shoulders. He remains the team's number one prospect according to Hockey's Future so he is still a bluechipper despite his checking-line assignment.

Source:
The Star 2011-09-18T16:44:38.000Z
Nazem Kadri
Nazem Kadri(C)|CAL
None
The way Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke sees it, there is a job open on the team’s third line. It’s up to Nazem Kadri, Joe Colborne, Matt Frattin or Philippe Dupuis to grab it.

As the current Leafs top prospect, Kadri holds the inside track against lower prospects like Colborne and Frattin. Dupuis could possess a threat as he holds the most NHL experience, but the 26-year-old coudl just-as-well serve as a 13th forward.

Source:
The Star 2011-09-06T12:41:07.000Z
Nazem Kadri