:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47257394/usa-today-8446726.0.jpg)
The Calgary Flames' preseason is not off to a good start. Not only did they lose both split squad games to the Edmonton Oilers, but they lost something actually meaningful: their number two defenceman, T.J. Brodie. Brodie broke his hand midway through the period, and now, he's out for three to six weeks.
So while winning would be nice, there's one thing the Flames making the trip really need to do:
Don't.
Get.
Injured.
Here are the guys making their way down:
| Calgary Flames | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Left Wing | Center | Right Wing | |||
| Mason Raymond | Sam Bennett | Josh Jooris | |||
| Micheal Ferland | Matt Stajan | David Jones | |||
| Turner Elson | Markus Granlund | Emile Poirier | |||
| Brandon Bollig | Drew Shore | Joe Colborne | |||
| Left Defence | Right Defence | ||||
| Ryan Wilson | Rasmus Andersson | ||||
| Jakub Nakladal | Brett Kulak | ||||
| Dustin Stevenson | Kenney Morrison | ||||
| Goalies | |||||
| Joni Ortio | |||||
| Kent Simpson | |||||
A few thoughts on the lineup:
- Jooris and Colborne are getting their first preseason action in. The two had wrist injuries coming into camp, but they have now healed up enough to play.
- It's interesting that Jooris is playing right wing. Between Sean Monahan, Sam Bennett, Mikael Backlund, and Matt Stajan, the projected regular season centre lineup is awfully full, leaving no room for somebody like Jooris, who emerged as a centre depth option in 2014-15. He's a right-handed shot, though: something the Flames don't have much of, so it only makes sense to play him in that position.
- The playoff line of Ferland - Stajan - Jones seems to be staying intact for the time being. They worked really well together in the postseason, and could look pretty decent this year - especially if they're projected to be the fourth line. That's depth.
- Granlund and Poirier could be linemates in Stockton. It's tough to see either of them making the team out of camp, but in case of injuries, they're probably two of the first call up options.
- While Andersson is very likely to spend his season with the Barrie Colts in the OHL this year, it doesn't seem as though he's going to start his year in junior. Barrie's season begins on Sept. 25. Even if cut the following day, could Andersson make it back in time? He's really impressed since being drafted.
- Ortio is expected to play the full 60 minutes. There may be a deadline on his training camp experience, so it'll be really interesting to see how he fares.
Puck drop is at 7 p.m. MT. The game is not expected to be streamed anywhere, but a radio call via the Fan 960 will be available to follow along. We'll have a recap for you afterwards!