From The Province newspaper, ahead of tonight’s series opener between the Flames and Canucks in Vancouver:
There is a mystery surrounding the health of Flames centre Sean Monahan. The Flames young star hadn’t skated since the Flames second-last game against the Kings at home on Thursday. He didn’t skate — including not travelling to the Flames’ final game on Saturday in Winnipeg – until Tuesday, when he lasted about 10 minutes at the beginning of practice. Flames coach Bob Hartley was seen talking to the team’s trainer after Monahan went to the dressing room. Monahan took the morning skate with the team on Wednesday and afterwards said the days off the ice were just rest days because he played so much during the regular season.
With Mark Giordano injured and unable to play, Monahan -- the 20-year-old who’s been centering Johnny Gaudreau and Jiri Hudler on what Henrik Sedin called “the best line in hockey for the past couple months or so” -- is arguably Calgary’s most important player.
Translation: if Monahan’s not 100 percent, for whatever reason...
As per @DarrenDreger, Monahan has been sick the past few days. Its been a bigger reason for his practice absences than shoulder inj. #flames
— Farhan Lalji (@FarhanLaljiTSN) April 15, 2015
... it’s a major concern for the Flames.
Monahan, however, insists he’s fine.
“I felt great, well rested, right now I’m just focused on the start of the game here,” he said this morning. “I’m excited for Game 1.”
