TORONTO - Canada's national junior team has its eyes on Calgary rookie Sean Monahan again after the Flames shook up their front office Thursday.

They had already been told Monahan would not be loaned for the Dec. 26-Jan. 3 world junior championship, but that was before Flames president of hockey operations Brian Burke fired general manager Jay Feaster.

Scott Salmond, the junior squad's director of hockey operations, said it won't hurt to ask again if the gifted forward is available, even if it may be a longshot.

"A no is a no whether it comes from Brian Burke or Jay," said Salmond. "Out of respect for Brian we'll go back and ask again. I'm sure Brian was part of the original decision. Whether things change or not will be up to the Calgary Flames, but it's worth a try."

The junior team is also hoping to bring Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Morgan Rielly back for a second world junior tournament, but so far the Leafs have been reluctant to let him go. The NHL club is expected to make a decision by Tuesday.

The juniors have already got rearguard Mathew Dumba from the Minnesota Wild.

Another question hanging as players arrived a few at a time for a three-day camp in Toronto was the health of Halifax Mooseheads star forward Jonathan Drouin, who suffered a concussion last week.

Drouin said he is feeling better and hopes to be cleared by team doctors to skate in camp. He was to be examined Thursday night.

"I want to get on the ice with the guys as soon as possible, but it's my health and I'm not going to push it," said Drouin, who is expected to be a key offensive player for Canada.

Coach Brent Sutter doubts that Drouin will skate this week, but it won't disrupt the team's preparations either way.

"We'll monitor him," said Sutter. "There's no rush or panic. We have a few days before we need to be concerned about it."

The 25 players in camp have practices Friday and Sunday and an exhibition game Saturday against some university players.

The squad will be trimmed to 22 players ahead of the tournament opener in Malmo, Sweden.

News from © The Canadian Press, 2013