Flames put Monahan, Wideman on shelf

The Calgary Flames have had a tough time scoring this season, so they really couldn't afford to lose what little firepower the team has been able to generate...

...but in losing rookie forward Sean Monahan and veteran defenseman Dennis Wideman, that is exactly what has happened.

The Flames announced on Thanksgiving Day that two of their top five points leaders have suffered injuries that will see them on the skids for the foreseeable future, terrible news for a team that has won just twice in their last ten outings and are challenging the Edmonton Oilers for the job of being the door mat of the Western Conference.

Wideman, a minute eater who has zero problem letting a shot or two off the chain and isn't afraid to mix it up in close quarters, will miss six to eight weeks with a broken bone in his hand suffered late in the Flames' loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday - the 6' 0", 200 pound blue-liner has two goals and 10 helpers this season.

Monahan started the season with the Flames under the premise to give him a nine-game indoctrination into the game played at it's highest level, then send him back to junior hockey to develop - but the game hasn't been too big for the sixth overall pick in the 2013 entry draft...

...but a hairline fracture suffered in the same loss to the Blackhawks has him listed as week-to-week.  Calgary can ill-afford to lose the enthusiasm and obvious talent of the 6' 2", 185 pound slick-skating 19 year old rookie, but both he and Wideman are on the Flames' Injured Reserved list nevertheless.

Calgary has called up center Paul Byron from the AHL affiliate in Abbotsford, British Columbia in a related roster move.