With Roman Cervenka reportedly heading back to the KHL for the 2013-14 campaign, the experiment is over.
The Calgary Flames took a chance on Cervenka after he dominated in the KHL, but he was never able to adjust to playing in North America. That being said, his tenure with the Flames wasn't disastrous. In fact, with nine goals and 17 points in 39 games, he probably would have gotten another shot with the Flames or a different NHL team if that's what he wanted. At the same time, he highlights the risk associated with grabbing mid-20s European star that has no prior North American experience. Sometimes it works out, but drafting a player in a fantasy league with those credentials is a roll of the dice.

Roman Cervenka has reportedly signed a three-year deal to return to the KHL with SKA St. Petersburg.
He had trouble adapting to the North American game with the Calgary Flames during the lockout-shortened season. He recorded only nine goals and eight assists in 39 matches.

Flames forward Roman Cervenka suffered a grade-1 sprain of his medial-collateral ligament in Friday's season finale.
With the Flames not playing in the postseason Cervenka will have ample time to recover from a relatively minor knee ailment and should have no problem recovering in time for the start of training camp.

Roman Cervenka netted two goals in Calgary's 4-3 loss to Nashville Tuesday night.
Cervenka has four points in his last three games. Chris Butler and Sven Baertschi, who is riding a six-game point streak, had two assists each in the contest. T.J. Brodie had the Flames' other goal in the loss.

Roman Cervenka spent Wednesday's game in the press box.
At the age of 27, Cervenka has been trying to make the transition from European hockey to the NHL. It hasn't exactly been a smooth process, but don't forget about him. Cervenka might still breakout in 2013-14 after he has the shortened season under his belt.

Roman Cervenka is now looking to build some momentum after scoring twice on Sunday.
Cervenka came into the NHL this season with the cache as one of the best players not in the NHL. But he struggled in the early going, sometimes being a healthy scratch and being forced to watch from the press box. But it is turning around for the 27-year-old as he is now on a line with countryman Jiri Hudler and Mikael Backlund. "Roman played a great game," coach Bob Hartley said of Sunday's performance. "We saw his skills. His skills are not a surprise to us. The way he started the game, the way he skated, I felt that Roman, Jiri Hudler and Mikael Backlund had a very good game for us." Cervenka has five goals and 10 points in 23 games but has the offensive upside to do a lot better, especially now that it looks like he has adapted to the NHL game.

Roman Cervenka had his first two goal game in the Flames 3-2 win over St. Louis Sunday.
Cervenka has had trouble in his first NHL season and was a healthy scratch on Thursday night for the third time in five games before drawing back in the lineup. He certainly got out of Bob Hartley's doghouse Sunday with the pair of goals as he led the Flames offensively Sunday. He scored his first power play marker of his career and now has five goals and 10 points in 23 games but his minus-nine rating is still giving fantasy owners a reason not to put him in their lineup.

Roman Cervenka was a healthy scratch for Calgary Thursday night.
He has been scratched for three of the team's past five games. In 21 contests with the Flames, Cervenka has three goals and eight points, as well as a minus-8 rating.

Roman Cervenka is not in Calgary coach Bob Hartley's good books at the moment.
He didn't dress against Detroit Wednesday night and seems to have been completely marginalized after being touted as a big addition to the squad in the off season. Hartley had this to say about Cervenka's play, "Plain and simple, we were not happy about his performance in the last game and in the last while. It's not about who we play against. It's how you play." . It may be time to cut Cervenka as it does not appear his season can be saved.

Roman Cervenka might end up being a healthy scratch on Saturday.
Cervenka has two goals and six points in 12 games, but he's struggled recently. "Roman, let's remember, was shut down for a full two months and we started full speed," said Flames coach Bob Hartley said, referring to Cervenka recovery from a blood clot. "And now, I think to a certain point, it's catching up to him. We sat with him. But again, to sit with Roman right now while he's taking English lessons, it's not real easy to get what's inside of him. But, we have a good feel for this. He's another player, while he's learning the league, we have to work in getting him better." Cervenka might still play if Sven Baertschi (hip) isn't able to return.

Roman Cervenka has held his own in the NHL with two goals and five points in eight games.
Cervenka is making the jump straight from European hockey to the NHL at the age of 27. "I feel every game (Cervenka's) getting better and better," Flames coach Bob Hartley said. "Look at the scoring chances he's getting, you can see offensively he's very gifted and he reads the game very well." He should be able to manage his current pace.

Roman Cervenka picked up his first NHL point on Thursday.
Cervenka assisted on Jiri Hudler's goal. The 27-year-old has been excelling in Europe for years, but he's definitely a risky guy to own in 2013.

Roman Cervenka is expected to play Thursday despite missing the team's morning skate.
Sportsnet's Roger Millions commented that his absence may have been related to a hit he took from teammate Blake Comeau during Tuesday's practice and not about conditioning. Cervenka made his Calgary debut last Saturday against Edmonton, where he posted two shots and logged 17:44 of ice time.

Roman Cervenka has been showing some chemistry on a line with Jiri Hudler and Matthew Stajan.
Cervenka and Hudler seem like a natural fit for now because Cervenka is still working on his English and both were born in the former Czechoslovakia. For now Hudler has been serving as Cervenka's unofficial translator. "Right now, it's still very very early," Flames coach Bob Hartley said. "We've only played one game. Roman and Jiri, number one, they can communicate very well. I'm sure they spend most of their time away from the rink together. So, it's an easy chemistry right now. But, hey, we'll see how it goes. The first game was pretty impressive, so there's no reason to change."

Roman Cervenka impressed his teammates in his NHL debut Saturday.
Cervenka is 27 and has played his entire career in Europe where he was a star. "He's got a great first two steps," linemate Mattthew Stajan said of Cervenka. "He reads the play really well. Look at (Lee Stempniak's) goal. The play he made for that to happen - I don't know if a lot of guys saw it, but he lifted their defenseman's stick. If he doesn't do that, Jay Bouwmeester never gets the puck . . . and who knows? That's just great hockey sense that a lot of people might not see." If Cervenka is available in your pool, he will make a nice pickup at this time.

Roman Cervenka was activated from the IL on Saturday January 26.

Roman Cervenka (blood clots) was able to participate in Thursday's practice.
The big question is if Cervenka will make his NHL debut on Saturday. He's been medically cleared to play, but Flames coach Bob Hartley will see how he does in Friday's skate before deciding on the Flames' lineup.

Roman Cervenka (blood clots) has been given the green light to start practicing Thursday.
Cervenka might be available for Saturday's game, but that hasn't been decided yet. He's been recovering from a blood clot since he was hit in the leg during a European game in December. He's regarded as one of the best active players that have never participated in an NHL contest.

The Calgary Flames are not paying Roman Cervenka (blood clots) and Anton Babchuk (shoulder) because they were injured playing other than for the Flames or their farm team.
Cervenka has an appointment with a hematology specialist on Monday and hopes to get cleared while Babchuk has been skating on his own. We wonder if the NHLPA will grieve this. Stay tuned.

Roman Cervenka is ramping up his efforts to be cleared for full practice.
Cervenka has been on the shelf due to the after affects of a blood clot, and he won't be cleared until at least after his Monday appointment with a hematology specialist. Anton Babchuk (shoulder) also took the ice after the team finished up its practice Saturday.

Roman Cervenka (blood clot) didn't participate in the first day of the Calgary Flames' training camp.
Cervenka is still taking anti-coagulant medication. It's not clear if he'll be ready for the season opener, but he should get a chance to serve as a top-six forward when he's healthy.

Roman Cervenka (blood clot) might be available for the start of the Flames' training camp, according to GM Jay Feaster.
"The good news is his clot is resolved, and he is free to fly, and certainly, from his agent, they feel if he's not fully able to participate, then it won't be long," Feaster said. "When he comes to camp, our doctors will review his doctors' files and tell us whether can he participate fully. They may say he can skate but can't hit right away." Cervenka should get a chance to serve as a top-six forward this season.

Roman Cervenka has been receiving treatment for a blood clot.
He will look to get medical clearance to return to action once players are able to report to training camps. Cervenka has been give the green light to fly to Calgary for the start of camp, so that is a good sign. During the lockout, he recorded 13 points in nine games with HC Slavia Praha in the Czech Extraliga and he notched two points in five games with Lev Praha of the KHL. His time in Europe was hampered by injuries though. If he can get himself healthy then he's expected to compete for a spot on the Flames top line this season.