Flames captain and Norris Trophy front runner Mark Giordano will undergo surgery to repair a torn biceps and will miss the remainder of the season.
The team announced on Sunday that it would place the defenseman on injured reserve to assess the severity of his injury, which he sustained last week. It was feared Giordano would miss significant time as the Flames cling to the eighth and final Western Conference playoff spot.
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That was confirmed on Monday, when general manager Brad Treliving said Giordano will have surgery Wednesday and is expected to be out 4-5 months.
Giordano, 31, was in the midst of the best statistical season of his career. His 48 points in 61 games were third in the NHL among defensemen, sparking his candidacy as a worthy favorite to the win the Norris Trophy as the league's top blueliner.