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Versteeg will miss the remainder of the season with a hip injury, Pat Steinberg of Sportsnet 960 The Fan reports.
Impact
Versteeg returned for just two games before being sidelined again by a hip injury he originally sustained Nov. 24 against the Stars. With the veteran winger limited to a one-year deal with the Flames, he's set to hit free agency, having recorded only three goals and five assists over 24 games in 2017-18.
The Flames activated Versteeg (hip) from injured reserve Wednesday.
Impact
Versteeg hasn't tasted game action since he sustained a hip injury Nov. 24 against the Stars, but he's been practicing with his teammates for nearly two weeks in a non-contact capacity, and logged his first full-contact practice Monday, which was the first indication he was likely on the verge of returning to the lineup. The Flames will hope the 31-year-old winger, who's notched three goals and eighth points in 22 contests this campaign, can help them secure one of the final playoff spots in the Western Conference with just 11 games remaining on their schedule. Versteeg's first chance to return to action will come Friday against San Jose.
Versteeg (hip) donned a full-contact jersey while taking part in Monday's practice, Derek Wills of Sportsnet 960 The Fan reports.
Impact
The veteran forward -- who last played a game Nov. 24 -- has been practicing with the team for almost two weeks in a non-contact capacity, so this news is a further indication of progress being made in his recovery. It remains to be seen what kind of player Versteeg will be upon returning, but his experience and hands will likely keep him in contention for spots on a power-play unit and one of the Flames' top-three lines. Look for the team to issue an additional update as Versteeg nears a return to the lineup.
Versteeg (hip) joined his teammates on the ice Friday sporting a non-contact sweater, Pat Steinberg of Sportsnet 960 The Fan reports.
Impact
While the team didn't provide any updates on Versteeg following practice, it bodes well for his return that he's taking part in practice, even in a limited capacity. The winger has already missed 43 games and remains out indefinitely, but he at least appears to be making strides. Once given the green light to play, the veteran will likely bounce Tanner Glass or Garnet Hathaway from the lineup.
Versteeg is scheduled for a follow-up appointment Tuesday, as he will meet with the surgeon that performed his hip surgery, Wes Gilbertson of the Calgary Sun reports.
Impact
The veteran winger has been out since Nov. 24. He reportedly resumed skating in pads three weeks ago, but we're still waiting for a clear timetable for his return. According to Gilbertson, we should get a better idea of where he's at in terms of a potential return after his appointment.
Versteeg (hip) skated in pads Monday for the first time since November, Pat Steinberg of Sportsnet 960 The Fan reports.
Impact
Despite the positive development, Versteeg remains weeks away from joining his teammates at practice. Expect the veteran forward, who had eight points in 22 games prior to getting injured, to continue skating on his own for the time being.
Versteeg (hip) has been cleared to begin skating in 10 to 14 days after meeting with his surgeon this week, Darren Dreger of TSN.ca reports. The winger's return timeline remains sometime in March.
Impact
Injury optimism can be dangerous for fantasy owners, as Versteeg will likely need time to hit full stride once healthy enough to return to the lineup, and he could also suffer a setback and be out longer than expected. Additionally, he's probably only going to be available for a handful of games at the end of the season. Be pragmatic before using a roster spot or IR slot on him at this stage of the season.
The veteran winger is faced with a month-to-month return timetable, with this latest report explaining that Versteeg, a two-time Stanley Cup champion, is suffering from a hip labrum issue. "He'd had some history with the hip,'' GM Brad Treliving said. "He tweaked it. He zigged when he should've zagged." While there's no denying that this is a tough loss for the Flames, Versteeg can still wear his leadership hat around the locker room and mentor youngsters like Matthew Tkachuk and Garnet Hathaway, who was recently called up from AHL Stockton.
This news is actually slightly encouraging, as Sportsnet's Roger Millions reported that Versteeg could be in danger of missing the rest of the season Thursday. Nonetheless, the veteran winger is clearly going to be sidelined long term, so the Flames will be tasked with finding an adequate replacement for him on their top power-play unit for the foreseeable future.
Versteeg (lower body) could require season-ending surgery, Roger Millions of Sportsnet reports.
Impact
Millions is reporting that this injury is similar to the one that caused Versteeg to miss extended time when he was with the Panthers in the lockout-shortened 2012-13 campaign. If it's ultimately confirmed that the heady Canadian winger has played his last game this season, he finishes with three goals, five helpers and five power-play points through 22 contests.