Breaking News: Calgary Flames Key Man Hit With Crucial Injury as Return date Unknown
A young and talented player is sidelined once again.
The Calgary Flames announced on Thursday that forward Jakob Pelletier is dealing with an upper-body injury and will be evaluated day-to-day.
Pelletier sustained the injury during the first period of Monday night’s game against the New York Rangers when he received a heavy hit from Rangers captain Jacob Trouba as he attempted to leave the Calgary zone. Although he initially tried to return to play, Pelletier eventually left for the tunnel and did not come back to the game.
The impact of the collision was significant, and Pelletier’s landing was awkward, causing concern as he seemed to favor his shoulder. This is particularly worrying considering his injury history this season.
Earlier in the 2023-24 season, Pelletier underwent surgery on his left shoulder, the same shoulder that Trouba collided with on Monday. This surgery sidelined him for the first three months of the season, and he only recently returned to action with the Flames’ AHL affiliate, the Calgary Wranglers, last month. Pelletier played four games in the AHL, tallying two goals and an assist, before rejoining the Flames’ lineup on February 6 against the Boston Bruins.
In his brief stint with the Flames this season, the Quebec native played four games, notching an assist in a 5-2 victory against the New York Islanders last Saturday.
Flames forward Jakob Pelletier has gone to the dressing room after receiving this hit from Jacob Trouba. pic.twitter.com/wzs0Bumry3
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) February 13, 2024
Pelletier is currently in the final year of his entry-level contract with the Flames, which carries an average annual value of $863,333.
Throughout his first three seasons with the Flames, Pelletier has only played 28 games, accumulating three goals and five assists. However, he boasts a more extensive record in the AHL, having played 105 games, during which he scored 45 goals and 57 assists. He also has 17 points in 22 playoff appearances.
The Flames, with a record of 25-23-5, will return home on Thursday night to face the San Jose Sharks. They currently sit fifth in the Pacific Division, trailing the Edmonton Oilers by eight points for third place. However, they are just three points behind the St. Louis Blues for the last Wild Card spot in the Western Conference.