Flames' Smid won't play this season, not retiring yet

The Calgary Flames will endure the 2016-17 season without defenseman Ladislav Smid.

The 30-year-old continues to suffer from a neck injury and in turn will not suit up this season, the team announced.

Though he won't play, Smid is not making the decision to retire, according to Kristen Odland of the Calgary Herald, leaving the possibility of being put on long-term injured reserve.

Just talked to Smid. His fitness is top-notch but it's the potential of contact and further injuring his neck that is worrying docs.

- Kristen Odland (@Kristen_Odland) September 22, 2016

Smid appeared in a total of 53 games over the past two seasons. He originally had surgery on his neck in January 2015, and was limited to just 22 games last year following a nine-month layoff.

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