"One of the more important developments of the year for the Calgary Flames came Friday when Daymond Langkow returned to the lineup.
Starting on the fourth line and progressing to the top unit in time for the team's third-period comeback in St. Louis, his successful return from a year-long neck injury gives acting GM Jay Feaster important information as the club plans for the future.
Absorbing a cross-check from Blues defenceman Barret Jackman as part of his battle test, Langkow got right up and subsequently satisfied both himself and the organization he can be included in the club's plans for next season.
"We needed to know as an organization," coach Brent Sutter said of Langkow's status.
"I was joking that getting him back might be the best trade ever made in hockey on April 1. He was our best centre last year."
While his return likely came too late to help the club this year, he returned in time to answer off-season questions that could have clouded Feaster's approach this summer.
Langkow still has one year left on his contract at
US$4.5 million, giving the team three centres (Olli Jokinen and Matt Stajan) earning at least $3 million. That's bad news for the team's top centre this year, Brendan Morrison, who likely can't be brought back if the unrestricted free agent is looking for a sizable and well-deserved bump to his $700,000 salary. Morrison can also play wing, but his knee injury and age further complicate the issue."
