'WE'RE HERE FOR YOU'

DETROIT - There's no other way to put it:
It was frightening.
When you hear that one of your pals was involved in a serious, off-ice accident and was on his way to the hospital, it rattles you to the core.
"Like everyone when you get a text like that, you're just holding your breath," MacKenzie Weegar said of the news that his teammate, Rasmus Andersson, was struck in a crosswalk while riding a scooter in downtown Detroit last night. "Obviously, you're hoping for the best.
"And, thankfully in this case, it was. I think he got lucky and we're all thankful it turned out a lot better than it could have."

'Lucky' was a word used often this morning.
Andersson, who was travelling alone, was on his way to dinner and figured the fastest way would be to jump on one of the many e-scooters parked near the hotel. But before long, he found himself in an ambulance, on his way to Detroit Receiving Hospital, where he underwent a series of tests before being released to the Flames' medical staff later in the evening.
"He's doing well. In good spirits," said Flames GM Brad Treliving. "We're lucky. Very lucky. It certainly could have been a lot worse. We want to make sure that we thank all those involved (in his care) and let everybody know that Ras is doing well."
The news travelled fast at the time of the accident, with anxious teammates hammering away at their phones trying to get an update.
"I texted him and obviously made sure he was OK," Weegar said. "He messaged me back and was obviously shaken up a bit. But as Ras always does, he tried to lighten the mood.
"Just told him that if he needs anything, the boys are all here and we love you. He messaged us back and said he's doing better. We saw him this morning and he told us the story. We're so glad everything is OK."
Andersson will not play tonight and is officially listed as day-to-day.
With a massive hole left on the backend - and with Dennis Gilbert recalled from the AHL's Calgary Wranglers - Head Coach Darryl Sutter will go with the following D pairs tonight in Mo Town:
Noah Hanifin - Chris Tanev
Nikita Zadorov - MacKenzie Weegar
Dennis Gilbert - Michael Stone
Weegar, in particular, will see one of the bigger shifts in responsibility, as he takes over for Andersson as the quarterback of the No.-1 powerplay unit. This week, the Flames have spent a significant portion of their practice time working on that part of their game, and after unveiling two completely new groupings in Monday's tilt against the Rangers, it seems wise not to rock the boat too much by making wholesale changes again.
"We'll put the righty (Weegar) in there," Sutter explained. "That's the way we've been working the last few days. Just slide MacKenzie right in there was Ras was."
As a result, the powerplay units will be comprised of the following:
PP1: Elias Lindholm, Dillon Dube, Mikael Backlund, Tyler Toffoli and Weegar
PP2: Nazem Kadri, Jakob Pelletier, Andrew Mangiapane, Jonathan Huberdeau and Noah Hanifin

While it's not the way Weegar wanted to get this opportunity, he feels he has a lot to offer in this role and can't wait to show what he's got.
"I've always been on the border being on it and off it, and obviously being at the top of the powerplay is where I'd like to be - and that's where I'll be, hopefully, tonight," Weegar said. "I want to make the most of it. I want to be out there. I'm not nervous or anything. I'm trying to make the most of it and have some fun with it.
"Talking to some of the guys this morning, and they're going to make me prepared and ready for it."
Ironically, Weegar had a conversation with Sutter yesterday about his usage, and how the coach wanted to see him in different roles, anyway. While this incident may have accelerated things for the first-year Flame, the next-man-up mentality has been a strength for this team all year.
And he's ready for the challenge.
"I'd love for Andy to be in the lineup with us tonight," Weegar said. "But here we are.
"I've got to take this opportunity and hopefully run with it. Whatever situation they put me in, I'll do my best and make the most of it."