Roman Cervenka, out since December with a blood clot, has been cleared to return to practice on Thursday and could be in the lineup as early as Saturday’s game against Edmonton (8 p.m., Saddledome, CBC, SN960). If he plays, it would mark the Flames debut for the centre from the Czech Republic, who was widely considered one of the best players outside of the NHL last season.

Cervenka returned to Calgary on Tuesday from Phoenix where he saw a specialist at the Mayo Clinic, who cleared him for action.

The 27-year-old Kontinental Hockey League star suffered a blood clot in December after being hit with a puck in a game in the Czech Republic. He received clearance from doctors in his homeland to fly to Calgary in time for training camp, but the Flames needed the OK from the North American specialist to give the sniper the green light.

Meanwhile, the Flames’ other major lineup addition up front this season, Jiri Hudler, was expected to return to Calgary late Tuesday night from the Czech Republic where he has been for the past eight days dealing with the death of his father. The veteran might also make his Flames debut on Saturday, although head coach Bob Hartley has the final say on when both players will return to game action.

Hudler collected 25 goals and 50 points last season with the Detroit Red Wings.