Flames defensive depth tested by injuries in race to playoffs
Calgary’s defensive depth has been put to the test while the Flames scratch and claw to maintain playoff position.
Since the NHL all-star break, it seems when one big-minute man draws back into the lineup after an injury, another goes down.
Add in the acquisition of a pair of defencemen at the Feb. 24 trade deadline and the Flames have had a blue line in flux.
Noah Hanifin is the latest to deal with a malady. He left Sunday’s 5-3 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights in the first period and did not return with an undisclosed upper body.
After 19 games sidelined with a lower-body injury, Travis Hamonic participated in a full practice Tuesday. He was injured just four days after captain and Norris Trophy winner Mark Giordano damaged his right hamstring.
Out 10 games, Giordano returned to action Feb. 25 a day after the Flames traded for reinforcements Derek Forbort and Erik Gustaffson.
Calgary has gone 9-6-1 since Giordano was injured Feb. 4
“Defencemen are always at a premium in our league,” Calgary head coach Geoff Ward said Tuesday. “A couple years ago, it used to be right-shot defencemen and now it’s defencemen.
“You need some depth in the organization at that position and we’re seeing why right now for us.
“We feel we’ve got an awful lot of good depth at that position.”
Hamonic might play Thursday against the New York Islanders, but Ward wasn’t sure if Hanifin would.
“I don’t think he’s going to be long term, but we’re taking that a day at a time,” the coach said.
Calgary (36-27-7) was third in the Pacific Division three points up on the Vancouver Canucks, who were at home to the Isles on Tuesday night and had two games in hand on the Flames.
Calgary was six points back of the divisiontopping Knights and three behind the Edmonton Oilers.
Even with Vancouver’s No. 1 goaltender Jacob Markstrom injured and the Arizona
Coyotes more distant in Calgary’s rearview mirror, the Flames still felt the precariousness of their playoff position.
A Canucks surge would drop the Flames into a logjam of teams jockeying for the two wild-card berths in the Western Conference.
“I’d be lying to you if I said you weren’t watching scoreboards, you weren’t looking to see what teams are doing around the league and things like that,” Hamonic said.
“You win two, it’s a whole different landscape for you in the standings. You lose two, it’s a completely different landscape as well.”
Hamonic was paired with T.J. Brodie and Giordano with Rasmus Andersson in Hanifin’s absence Tuesday.
Forbot and Gustaffson continued as a duo. Michael Stone skated alongside Oliver Kylington.
“Forbes and Gusts have come in and fit in really, really well and have played really well since they’ve been here so there hasn’t been really any adjustment,” Giordano said.
“For me, I’ve said the biggest difference if I play with Brodes, he’s left handed and Razzie’s a right-handed defenceman. That’s the big adjustment as a defenceman where you put the puck really for your partner.”
Hamonic says the competition for minutes when all defencemen are healthy makes the Flames a better team.
Ward’s silver lining to the spate of injuries is the chance to exercise depth on defence in preparation for the post-season.
“We take the stance that it’s an opportunity,” the coach said. “We’ve seen a lot of defencemen in our lineup with over 20 minutes a night with a lot of different roles.
“The most important lineup is the one that’s on the ice. We’re fortunate we have a lot of able-bodied defencemen that are good NHL players.
“That gives us the opportunity to take some of these hits with our high-minute defencemen and we’re able to fill the holes pretty effectively.”
PLAYERS, COACHES UNDERSTAND RESPONSE TO LOCKER-ROOM RULE
The NBA, NHL, Major League Baseball and Major League Soccer jointly announced Monday they are closing access to locker rooms and clubhouses to all non-essential personnel, including media, in response to the coronavirus crisis.
While it is unusual to see four North American leagues make a united decision, other sporting events have gone further in taking coronavirus precautions.
The top hockey leagues in Germany and Austria announced this week they are ending their seasons before playoffs, while other events overseas have been played without fans. This could happen with the San Jose Sharks when they return from a road trip next week as the county where their arena is located has banned large gatherings. Ohio also recommended no spectators for indoor sports events Tuesday, which could affect the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Flames goaltender David Rittich, a native of the Czech Republic, said he appreciates the work his team and league have done, especially when he sees what’s happening in his homeland and other European countries.
“At the hockey game you can just get 100 people at the rink, which included players, trainers and everyone,” he said. “It’s kind of a bigger deal there than here.
“Schools in Czech had a break and everyone went to Italy, which wasn’t very smart, but it is what it is.”
Dr. Susy Hota, the medical director of infection prevention and control at University Health Network, said the locker-room decision could be helpful.
“It depends on how they interact within the locker room,” she said. “They can be fairly social places, and they are close quarters. I think there potentially could be a little bit more risk if you’re spending time in close quarters like that. The big thing is not sharing towels and personal care products.”
Toronto FC coach Greg Vanney said it will take time for players to adjust.
“It’s tough because our league I think is one of those that is very connected to the fans and to people and the media. I know it’s challenging for the guys even,” Vanney said. “I saw them high-fiving fans after the game. It’s going to be hard to remember that and actually create that barrier and I know they’re not comfortable with it. But I think we all understand the point of it.”