Calgary's 2019 first-round pick nearing a return after suffering a shoulder injury in training camp
Calgary Flames rookie left wing Jakob Pelletier is nearing a return to action.
Pelletier, who required shoulder surgery in training camp, was assigned by the Flames to the AHL Wranglers on Monday.
The Wranglers are next in action Thursday and Friday at home against the Ontario Reign. Pelletier, Calgary’s 2019 first-round draft choice, will definitely need practice days before suiting up in a game and it remains to be seen whether he is ready for those outings.
Pelletier, 22, skated in 24 NHL games last season, in which he collected three goals and seven points. In 101 AHL regular-season games over two seasons, he posted 43 goals and 99 points. He also netted eight goals and 17 points in 22 AHL playoff games.
Pelletier was pencilled in for an NHL roster spot when camp opened, but was injured in his first pre-season game when he was hit from behind by Marian Studenic of the Seattle Kraken.
Pelletier will likely join the Flames at some point this season, depending on roster moves and how his shoulder holds up.
Defenceman Yan Kuznetsov was also assigned to the minors on Monday, a sign that Dennis Gilbert may be ready to return from the injury suffered last Thursday, while forward Kevin Rooney, who also suffered a shoulder injury in training camp was placed on waivers. Rooney would likely also be dispatched to the AHL squad upon clearing.
Last week, the Flames also assigned defenceman Oliver Kylington to the Wranglers in his next step after missing the past season-and-a-half dealing with mental issues. Kylington has been practising, but did not play during either game last weekend.