Flames’ Tanev, on the other hand, makes an instant impression after shoulder surgery

CALGARY – A torn labrum and severed shoulder murmur is just as painful as the reality of what Chris Tanev was going through when we last saw him.

Despite the significant damage done against Dallas in Game 6, the 32-year-old defenseman boldly returned for the final three games against Edmonton using a pain management protocol aimed at limiting the agony he was sure to endure.

“They freeze as much as they can, but when your shoulder goes in and out a lot, sometimes you feel it and sometimes you don’t,” revealed Tanev, who knew he would be mercilessly attacked by the Oilers.

“I think they knew it, but it is what it is.

“You can attack me as many times as you want. I’m on the ice, so I’m fair game. If people want to hit me, that’s fine. It’s my choice to be out there.

“It’s (jumped out) a few times, but it’s part of hockey.”

Subsequent surgery saw Tanev out for four to six months, threatening his return for opening night.

No longer.

Tanev made his preseason debut with an exclamation Monday night when he scored in the first half against Seattle in a test he passed with flying colours.

“I looked good, the guys gave me great passes and Moses parted the seas a couple of times,” said Tanev, whose point blast that beat Martin Jones was one of his three shots that night.

“I bumped around a bit and it was good to feel those bumps.

“I think it just reinforced how everyone thought I was feeling and what I was expecting, so give credit to the doctors, medical staff and coaches for getting me to play tonight. I can’t thank them enough.”

His timely return, which he admitted made him a little nervous, speaks to how motivated and committed he is as the Flames’ leader.

“Anybody you talk to who’s had shoulder surgery has known for four or five weeks that it’s not fun, especially if you’re a stomach sleeper,” said Tanev, who played nearly 20 minutes in a 4-1 win played which also included goals from Michael Stone, Noah Hanifin and Blake Coleman.

“It’s difficult to adjust to being in a sling and not moving much, especially for someone like me. I’m usually on the go and get back into my training pretty quickly after the season.

“It was a lot of rehab but it was worth it.

“As soon as I could, I tried to lift and train as hard as I could.”

It showed that Tanev appeared as balanced and in control as he did last season when he led a group of Flames Blue Line who finished third in goals conceded.

Expectations for the sextet are even higher this year, which is why all eyes are on who will play together.

In the absence of Rasmus Andersson, trainer Darryl Sutter wanted to see Tanev with Hanifin on Monday while pairing MacKenzie Weegar with Nikita Zadorov.

Weegar, who refereed Monday’s power play, and Tanev are widely expected to start the season together as the club’s best shutdown pair.

“Good skater, moves the puck well, (Weegars) suits our style well,” said Tanev, who has skated with the club since the camp opened but was deliberately banned from playing until Monday by the coach.

“Defends well, plays on both sides of the ice, he can walk up and down the ice which everyone on the team can do and I think he’ll just add another element to us and hopefully make us six again. ”

FORWARD COUPLES TAKE SHAPE

The Flames’ win marked the pre-season debut of Andrew Mangiapane, who got his first chance to build chemistry with likely linemate Nazem Kadri. The two were dangerous on several occasions, including a two-line pass that sent Mangiapane to a great alone opportunity.

While Sutter suggested the only pairing set in stone is Mikael Backlund with Coleman, you can bet Jonathan Huberdeau and Elias Lindholm will largely stay together, as will Kadri/Mangiapane.

SUTTER HAS HIGH PRAISE TO HUBERDEAU

Sutter caused another stir on Monday morning with a punch to a recently deceased Flame that was widely believed to be another punch.

This time Johnny Gaudreau seemed to be the target.

“Jonathan Huberdeau is probably the best passer this team has ever had,” Sutter said, pointing out that his linemates should hit better when No. 10 has the puck.

Incidentally, Gaudreau became a father this week, and he and wife Meredith announced the arrival of daughter Noa.

FLAMES TORALIES STAY HOT

The Flames goaltender continues to dominate this fall, with Jacob Markstrom taking center stage on his second start, leading to victory with 21 saves. He conceded his first goal of the preseason early in the third game when Matty Beniers hit a one-timer under Markstrom’s gauntlet on the power play.

All three Flames goalies remaining at camp have save percentages over .945.

PTO UPDATE

The PTO clock continued on Monday, with Stone as good as a contract to lead the team with his third goal of the preseason – another clapper.

Cody Eakin continued his steady game throughout camp while Sonny Milano’s hopes are dwindling as he was unproductive on the third row.

NEW KID IN TOWN

While Flames watchers kept a loose eye on whether AHL-bound Matthew Phillips would be claimed on waivers Monday, they were surprised to see the Flames snag former Penguins winger Radim Zohorna on waivers.

The towering 26-year-old Czech is 6’1″, weighs 220 pounds and has bounced back and forth between the AHL and Pittsburgh for the past two seasons.

In the AHL last year, he had 12 goals and 21 points in 39 games and was a respectable plus of 12 in 17 games with the Pens.

Who better to ask about him than Penguins President Brian Burke?

“He’s a great boy, he works very hard and is very trainable,” Burke said of the boy who comes away with a $750,000 cap hit.

“He had a good training camp. He lost six or eight pounds trying to go a little faster and it really showed.

“He has great hockey instincts, skates well and is a nice young man. We would have loved to keep him, but we wish him all the best. I think it’s a good pickup for them.”

Anyone interested in seeing the 675lb Czech Mates line of Zohorna (6’6), Adam Klapka (6’8) and Adam Ruzicka (6’4)?

LINES

Mangiapane Kadri Dube
Coleman Backlund Rooney
Milano Ruzicka Ritchie
Lucic Eakin Lewis

Hanifin-Tanev
Zadorov-Weegar
Mackey Stone

Markstrom