Connor Mackey and Juuso Valimaki will replace Nikita Zadorov and Erik Gudbranson on the back-end for the Calgary Flames on Thursday, according to multiple reports.
The young defencemen are expected to draw into the lineup to replace the two veterans, neither of whom took warm-up for the Flames prior to Thursday’s game against the San Jose Sharks.
According to Postmedia’s Wes Gilbertson, Mackey will likely slot in alongside @Chris Tanev the Flames’ second pairing; Valimaki should get reps next to Michael Stone on the third unit.
Mackey, 25, has five goals and 36 points in 53 games with the Stockton Heat in the American Hockey League this season.