Shoulder issue suffered on Monday requires surgery scheduled next week
The Calgary Flames’ plan to integrate more youth into the lineup has taken a swerve with news rookie left wing Jakob Pelletier will require surgery for his injured left shoulder and be out indefinitely.
Pelletier, the 2019 first-round draft, was pencilled to take a full-time roster spot this season, but that plan will remain on hold.
Whether another young forward is capable of stepping up and earning a spot — or the Flames acquire a more established skater from elsewhere, such as via waivers — remains to be seen with the season opener two weeks away.
Pelletier was injured in the first period of Calgary’s home pre-season clash with the Seattle Kraken on Monday. He was checked into the boards by Marian Studenic, who received a boarding major and game misconduct.
Last season Pelletier, 22, skated in 24 NHL games last season, in which he collected four goals and seven points.
He will likely start the season on the long-term injury list.
Pelletier’s injury likely opens the door for a handful of players to receive a better look through the club’s final five pre-season games, starting with Wednesday’s road clash against the Winnipeg Jets.
