Calgary Flames News

It seems like the Islanders will be giving one forward the night off each game. Last night it was Frans Nielsen, tonight it will be Strome.

Although the decision on that might not be finalized for a few days, a source familiar with his situation said the injury that has prevented Maatta from playing since Dec. 6 has not responded satisfactorily to rehabilitation efforts. Maatta is expected to undergo an operation once he is officially ruled out of the rest of the season, but a decision on surgery has not been finalized yet.

Backlund has been out since October 28th because of abdomen surgery. He recorded four points (1G / 3A) in 11 games before getting hurt. Tonight he will return to the lineup on the Flames’ third line with Paul Byron and Mason Raymond.

Maatta has been skating for over a week but still needs to join full practice, before a return is imminent. He is one and a half weeks into a four-week timetable, and there has been no word on whether or not he is ahead of schedule.

Backlund has been out since October 28th because of abdominal surgery. The Flames never gave a timetable for Backlund’s return, but he is hoping to join the team for practice tomorrow and will go from there.

Maatta, who is also battling mumps, is progressing well, but is still expected to miss another month. His original timeline was “a couple of weeks”, but don’t expect to see him until late January.

Maatta had already been sidelined since December 6th with an upper-body injury and now he has contracted the mumps virus. It has been a brutal stretch for the young blue liner who also recently underwent surgery to remove a tumour from his neck. There is no timetable for Maatta’s return.

According to head coach Mike Johnston said Maatta is still being tested and is going to miss a couple more weeks. With Maatta out, Christian Ehrhoff and Paul Martin will take on bigger roles on the blue line. Expect him to be out until after Christmas.

Maatta’s placement is retroactive to December 6th which means he is eligible to return to the lineup whenever he is healthy. He will miss his third consecutive game tonight, but could be back in the lineup by Monday vs. the Lightning.

Maatta suffered an undisclosed injured in the Penguins win over the Senators on Saturday. With Maatta out, Robert Bortuzzo will draw back into the lineup after a two-game suspension. Maatta is day-to-day.

Maatta missed the last six games after getting surgery to remove a tumour from his neck. Maatta will be skate with Christian Ehrhoff as his defense partner. He has one goal and five assists in 10 games this season.

Maatta looks to make his return after surgery to remove a tumour from his neck.

Matta had 6 pts in 10 games this season on the Penguins blue line

Maatta is expected to miss three more weeks, but returning to the ice already puts him ahead of that timetable. Continue to monitor his progress.

Maatta is expected to miss four weeks after undergoing surgery to remove a tumor from his thyroid gland last Tuesday. However, returning to the ice this week, should put him well ahead of that four-week timetable.

Huberdeau missed the last three games with the flu, but he is on the ice for pre game warmups and will face the Flames this afternoon. He will skate on the Panthers' second line with Brad Boyes and Nick Bjugstad.

Huberdeau will miss his third straight game with the flu, but will play on Saturday vs. the Flames. He has one goal and one assist in eight games this season.

Huberdeau missed his second game in a row on Tuesday and looks to be in danger of missing three in a row on Thursday. Monitor his availability for tomorrow’s morning skate.

Huberdeau will miss his second straight game with the flu, but could join the team in Philadelphia tomorrow and potentially be back in the lineup vs. the Flyers on Thursday.

The Panthers will be without five regulars tonight including Huberdeau, so Colby Robak will make his season debut as a seventh defenseman.