Flames call up Max Reinhart, Michael Ferland to injured reserve

Max Reinhart is back in the NHL. Injuries have hit the Flames hard this year, resulting in Reinhart being the team’s fifth recall just over a month into the 2014-15 season.

First, David Jones was injured, and Josh Jooris was recalled to replace him. Just when Jones got healthy, Mason Raymond went down, allowing Jooris to stay up. A parade of injuries – Matt Stajan, Mikael Backlund, and Joe Colborne – followed, resulting in the recalls of Markus Granlund and Michael Ferland.

But then, in just his second NHL period, Anton Volchenkov concussed Ferland, and the Flames recalled Sven Baertschi. That left four guys on injured reserve, and four players called up to replace them.

Well, now Ferland, who hasn't played since Oct. 31, has been moved to the injured reserve.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>By the way, word is <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Flames?src=hash">#Flames</a> LW Michael Ferland is making good progress in his recovery from concussion.</p>&mdash; Wes Gilbertson (@SUNGilbertson) <a href="https://twitter.com/SUNGilbertson/status/531587634335064064">November 9, 2014</a></blockquote>

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Devin Setoguchi was injured in the second period against the Florida Panthers on Nov. 8, and while he still may be able to play next game, the Flames are only carrying one spare forward, Brian McGrattan. That problem has been solved, as with Ferland now on the injured reserve, the Flames opened room for another roster spot. This one goes to one of their more experienced prospects, the eldest of the Reinhart kids.

Reinhart improved by leaps and bounds last season, tripling his point production as his shooting percentage increased. He had a decent camp showing with the Flames, and was part of the third last round of cuts. All forwards cut after Reinhart we recalled before him.

Now Reinhart, who has one goal and five points over 12 games this season, is back in the NHL. He's sixth in remaining Adirondack forward scoring, but leads the team in shots with 33. His shooting percentage is a mere 3.0%, suggesting his luck will hopefully turn.

Reinhart also has the most NHL experience of the next possible callups, with a goal and five points in 19 games played over two seasons. He is joining the Flames in Raleigh, where the Flames take on the Carolina Hurricanes for the final game of their road trip. Reinhart may or may not play, probably depending on Setoguchi’s health. But with his recall, it sure seems likely McGrattan will be kept out of the lineup.

by Ari Yanover