"Brent Sutter wouldn't go as far as saying Jarome Iginla will unequivocally be 100% ready for the Calgary Flames season opener.

But Sutter came as close as possible Friday when the Flames captain skated for the second straight day after missing a dozen days due to a back problem.

Iginla didn't participate in practice at Westside Recreation Centre, but he skated with Rene Bourque and Brett Carson — two guys who've also been on the shelf — before the rest of the squad hit the ice.

"I shouldn't say for sure because there's nothing for sure in life, but I think we'll definitely have Bourque and Jarome," Sutter said. "It's a good chance, anyway, for the start of the regular season."

On a day the Flames pared their roster further by sending forwards Lance Bouma and Paul Byron to the AHL's Abbotsford Heat and put forward Guillaume Desbiens on waivers with the intent to send him to the minors, the injury news also became a little better.

Iginla, whose back problems started during the first on-ice session Sept. 17, reported no problems from his first time back on the ice Thursday.

Re-aggravating an injury is a big fear when a player hits the ice for his first session following an injury.

"He feels good," Sutter reported. "Every day, we'll get closer and closer to when he'll be able to have a full practice with the squad. He'll let us know when that can happen, but I think we're getting very close to that."

Iginla and Bourque, whose injury hasn't been divulged, are the Flames top-two right wingers, so it's critical they're back in action as soon as possible, which Sutter said will happen "unless something unforeseen comes along.""