Pospisil back at practice, hopeful to return to Flames lineup soon

The Calgary Flames should get another player back when they return home. Martin Pospisil is practising again and could be back in the lineup next week.

Martin Pospisil hit the ice this week with the Calgary Wranglers on a week-long conditioning stint.

It’s the first time the 26-year-old has taken in a full practice since getting injured in the pre-season.

Pospisil says being out has been tough, and he wasn’t even sure he’d get to this point.

“Mentally, it hasn’t been easy,” the Slovakian forward said.

“It wasn’t an easy last couple of months, but I’m happy I went through it, and now I can do normal things and skate with the boys.”

Plays a tough game

Pospisil plays a physical game.

That’s what got him into the NHL, and it’s what makes him effective.

This isn’t the first time he’s had this particular upper-body injury, but he says that’s not going to stop him from playing the way he does.

“It’s hard to change my style of playing,” he said.

“When I step on the ice, I’m a different person. That’s my style of play, and it makes the team better, so I won’t change anything, but of course I need to be careful with things.”

He’s looking good

Wranglers head coach Brett Sutter played with Pospisil in the 2023-24 season.

Sutter says it’s good to see him back on the ice again.

“He was all-systems-go both days so far, and it sounds like he didn’t have any setbacks,” Sutter said.

“I think there’s a little bit of conditioning stuff going on, but other than that, I think he looked great, so like I said, we’re looking forward to having him in the lineup.”

Could play Olympics

Pospisil says his main priority is to get back to playing with the Flames.

There is a chance he could also go to the Winter Olympics and play for Slovakia if he’s healthy enough.

Pospisil says he’d be happy to represent his country, but he’s not really thinking about that.

“We didn’t want to rush it with this kind of injury,” he said.

The Wranglers are back in action with a pair of games against Bakersfield on Friday and Saturday, and it’s a good bet you’ll be able to watch Pospisil in action if you head to the Scotiabank Saddledome.