Scary news for the Calgary Flames today, as the team has placed defenseman Michael Stone on injured reserve with a blood clot in his arm according to Wes Gilbertson of Postmedia. GM Brad Treliving told reporters that Stone wasn’t feeling right last night, but they will know more in a few days. Joining him on the shelf is Michael Frolik, who is dealing with a lower-body injury and is considered day-to-day.
Blood clots are not totally uncommon for hockey players or any athlete, but it is always an uneasy situation when one is diagnosed. For Stone, there is no indication of a recovery timeline at this point, though it is obviously a positive that the team found it at all. The 28-year old defenseman has only played 11 games for the Flames and hadn’t been in the lineup since November 11th, but could still be a useful part if he can get himself healthy again.
The Flames meanwhile are on something of a roll, taking home wins in their previous three games and opening up a one point lead on the San Jose Sharks for first place in the Pacific Division. A team that was considered a Stanley Cup contender at the beginning of last season, Calgary stumbled all year and missed the postseason entirely. The club underwent big changes in the offseason as Bill Peters was brought in as coach and a blockbuster deal sent Dougie Hamilton and Micheal Ferland to Carolina. Elias Lindholm and Noah Hanifin, the returns in that deal, have played extremely well for the Flames of late and have them looking to compete for the Stanley Cup this year.
That’ll need some luck and health, something that neither of these announcements represents. With Frolik only day-to-day and the blue line looking strong they should be able to handle these setbacks, but only for so long.