27 Austin Czarnik RW

Czarnik (lower body) was designated for waivers Wednesday, Sportsnets' Chris Johnston reports.

Czarnik previously spent some time in the minors on a conditioning assignment but will now get some extra work in with the Heat. The center will likely make his way back to the NHL before the end of the year once he gets back up to game speed. Prior to getting hurt, the Detroit native was on a three-game point streak which he will no doubt be eager to pick back up down the road.

Calgary recalled Czarnik (lower body) from his conditioning assignment with AHL Stockton on Thursday, but he'll remain on long-term injured reserve for the time being.

Czarnik drew into three contests during his stint in the minors, notching three points over that span, but the Flames evidently don't think he's ready for NHL action just yet. Another update on the 27-year-old forward's status should surface once he's activated off IR.

Czarnik (lower body) was reassigned to AHL Stockton on a conditioning assignment Wednesday.

Czarnik has been out of action since Oct. 24 versus Florida, but is taking strides in his recovery with his conditioning stint. The Heat are in action versus AHL Ontario and AHL Bakersfield on Wednesday and Saturday, respectively. While Czarnik was originally expected to be out until late December, his conditioning assignment could be an indication he is ahead of schedule.

Coach Bill Peters said Austin Czarnik (lower body) is not expected back in the lineup until late December, Pat Steinberg of Sportsnet 960 The Fan reports.

While the nature of Czarnik's injury is unknown, we now have a timetable. If the forward is able to stay on that schedule, he would miss about two months. Alan Quine and Tobias Rieder will likely cover Czarnik's position in the lineup while he's out.

Czarnik (lower body) was placed on long-term injured reserve Friday.

The Flames called up Alan Quine from the AHL ranks in a corresponding move. Czarnik had been seeing action on the second power-play unit in addition to his fourth-line role, totaling two goals and an assist through eight games.

Czarnik suffered a lower-body injury in Thursday's game against Florida and won't return.

It's unclear how Czarnik picked up the injury, but the injury occurred very late in the second period. With the 26-year-old missing the remainder of the game, the team will continue with 11 forwards, and Sam Bennett is likely to get the call should there be any power-play time. Czarnik should be classified as day-to-day until more specifics surface regarding the injury.

Czarnik scored a goal on two shots in Tuesday's 5-3 loss to the Capitals.

Czarnik's tally at 16:25 of the second period evened the score at two goals apiece, but it was a short-lived leveler, as Alex Ovechkin sniped a go-ahead goal for the Capitals 10 seconds later. Czarnik has points in consecutive games after going scoreless in five straight to start the year. He skated on the second line with Mikael Backlund and Matthew Tkachuk in this contest, but it's unlikely he'll stay in that role long-term.

Czarnik produced an assist in Sunday's 2-1 win over the Ducks.

Czarnik has appeared in the last five games and six times overall this season, managing just the one assist and five shots on goal. He was a healthy scratch for some games, but either way, he's yet to make much of a fantasy impact.

Czarnik has drawn into only two of the Flames' six games this season.

Czarnik has only two shots on goal and an average ice time of 6:10 in his appearances, so he's being used less than sparingly. The 26-year-old forward had 18 points in 54 contests last season, but with the Flames' offense primarily limited to the top line so far, it's no surprise to see a goose egg in the points column for Czarnik.

Czarnik (ankle) is expected to return for Sunday's game versus the Jets.

Czarnik missed Friday's game versus the Oilers with an ankle injury sustained earlier in the week, but he'll return to the lineup for Sunday's game. It'll be an important test for Czarnik, who will be competing with many of the other players in Sunday's game for a bottom-six role come Opening Night.

Czarnik (ankle) won't play in Wednesday's game versus the Sharks, Pat Steinberg of Sportsnet 960 The Fan reports.

Czarnik scored two goals in Monday's 4-3 win over the Canucks, but a late blocked shot leaves him too sore to go for Wednesday's contest. Matthew Phillips will be in the lineup in his place. Czarnik's next chance to return to game action comes Friday against the Oilers.

Czarnik scored twice in a 4-3 win over the Canucks on Monday.

One of Czarnik's tallies came on the power play, and he added an even-strength goal as well on an assist from Tobias Rieder. Czarnik filled a bottom-six role for the Flames last season, contributing six goals and 18 points in 54 games. The right winger is likely to return to a similar role, especially after his hot start to the preaseason.

Czarnik managed an assist and a blocked shot in Wednesday's 3-1 loss to the Ducks.

Czarnik has stayed in the lineup while the Flames rest bigger-name players, and he's picked up one helper in each of his last four games. For the year, he's at 18 points in 53 games, which isn't enough to interest most fantasy owners despite it being a career high for the undrafted 27-year-old.

Czarnik registered an assist in Sunday's 5-3 win over the Sharks.

Czarnik has assists in consecutive games, bringing him to 16 points in 51 games this season. The third-line winger isn't known for a physical edge, but he has collected six of his 10 hits this year in his last four outings.

Czarnik picked up a helper on the man advantage in Friday's 6-1 win over the Ducks.

The helper puts Czarnik at 15 points in 50 contests, both of which are career highs for the 26-year-old forward. Three of his nine assists this season have come on the power play, and he's averaged 1:26 per game in power-play time over 14 games in March.

Czarnik provided two assists in Tuesday's 4-2 win over the Blue Jackets.

Czarnik set a new career high in points with 14 (six goals, eight helpers) after the two-point effort. Czarnik has found a home in the bottom-six for the Flames this season, although he does see some power-play time on the second unit, where he's picked up two of his assists this year.

Czarnik picked up a helper on the power play in Sunday's 6-3 win over the Golden Knights.

Czarnik celebrated his 100th game by helping to set up Mikael Backlund's second goal of the game. The undrafted 26-year-old has six goals and six assists in 41 games in his first season in Calgary, recently finding a home on the third line with Sam Bennett and Mark Jankowski. He's not likely to make much of a fantasy impact over the remainder of the season.

Czarnik scored with 41 seconds remaining in regulation to help Calgary defeat the Senators 2-1 on Sunday.

Czarnik has been on fire with four goals over his past five games. The depth winger waited until the latter stages of Sunday's game before finding his way onto the scoresheet, and with the goal, now has six snipes and 10 points in 34 games in 2018-19. It's worth noting that three, or half, of Czarnik's goals this year have been game-winners.

Czarnik has scored in three consecutive games, most recently in in Wednesday's 4-2 win over the Islanders.

Czarnik had spent much of the latter part of January in the press box, but James Neal's lower-body injury has opened up an opportunity for the 26-year-old to play on the third line. He's recorded seven shots on goal since returning to the lineup, compared to 36 in his previous 29 games this season. He's still averaging just 10 minutes a game, but could see more time if he can keep scoring.

Czarnik has been scratched in four of the Flames' last five contests.

In his lone appearance during that stretch, Czarnik logged a meager 7:40 of ice time and didn't accrue any significant stats. At this point, it will likely take an injury or two for the winger to earn additional minutes, so fantasy owners should look for other depth options.