FORWARD THINKING
Glen Gulutzan has confirmed wingers Jaromir Jagr and Garnet Hathaway will be in the lineup tonight
by TORIE PETERSON @ToriePeterson / CalgaryFlames.com
CALGARY - Glen Gulutzan will be changing up his forward group this evening when the Flames host the Arizona Coyotes at 7:00 p.m. MT (Sportsnet 360, Sportsnet 960 The FAN).
Jaromir Jagr, who missed Tuesday's game against the Toronto Maple Leafs with a lower body injury, slides back in after having a couple of days to recuperate.
"He'll be in tonight," Glen Gulutzan confirmed. "We've had a couple little things that he's been dealing with and I think we've got everything under control."
After being summoned from Stockton yesterday, Garnet Hathaway will jump into the lineup this evening. He is slated to play alongside Matt Stajan and Troy Brouwer.
"You could wonder or ask the questions … we have other guys here and then he works in from the American Hockey League but the reality is that he was here for 20-plus games last year and was effective in his role," Gulutzan said of the decision to get Hathaway into the lineup right away.
"He played the first game of the season here and then the way he's carried on down there - I think he's in the top 10 in scoring - he's been their best player pretty much night-in and night-out from most of our reports there. He's earned an opportunity and he has the experience so he'll draw in. I know he's a competitive guy. He gives us a little bit of energy and creates a little bit of competition there for that fourth line."
In 18 games with the Stockton Heat, Hathaway has 19 points on the year, which ranks him second in team scoring. His 11 goals has him tied for third in the AHL and is just eight shy of his career-high 19 goals he scored in 72 games with the Adirondack Flames back in 2014-15.
"We're going to have to watch the toe drags tonight from Hath," chuckled Gulutzan. "We know what we're going to get and that's the beauty of having him. The fact that he's scored goals is that he goes to hard areas and he makes things happen. We need a little bit more of that so I think he'll factor in good tonight."
Hathaway was recalled as a result of Kris Versteeg being placed on the injured reserve for a lower body malady. The team is hoping to have a full update on his status in the near future.
"I haven't got an update this morning but we should have something here a little later - maybe even today or tomorrow," Gulutzan explained.
"He's going to get a second opinion so that's just what it takes. We've got our guys here but we're asking him to get another one. We're just doing our diligence with this."
Sam Bennett missed practice yesterday but is expected to play tonight. The forward needed stitches after he was hit in the face with a puck in Tuesday's setback to the Leafs.
"He looks to be okay this morning. A big gash - maybe his modeling career is in jeopardy - but he's a tough, tough character," Gulutzan said. "We gave him the day yesterday just because of all the swelling but today he looks to be good to go."