Change of atmosphere fuels Calgary Flames' playoff ambitions

Will a new general manager, coach, captain and attitude push the Calgary Flames over the hump to the playoffs in 2023-24?

Will a new general manager, coach, captain and attitude push the Calgary Flames over the hump to the playoffs in 2023-24?

A club that missed the NHL post-season last season by two points — and left a league-leading 17 on the table in overtime and shootout losses — starts afresh determined to be a contender with the words "compete, commitment, consistency" adorning the dressing room walls.

"We've got the team in here," defenceman MacKenzie Weegar told media during training camp. "Whether you guys believe it or not, we believe in here. I think that's all that matters. 

"Whether we're under the radar or we're on the radar, doesn't matter to us. We know what we got here."

What the Flames have that is new this season is GM Craig Conroy and head coach Ryan Huska, who were promoted from within after Brad Treliving departed to become the Toronto Maple Leafs GM and Darryl Sutter was fired in the spring.

Without a captain for two seasons under Sutter, the Flames were able to put a 'C' on centre Mikael Backlund when the 14-year Flames' veteran signed a two-year contract extension during training camp.

Left-winger Jonathan Huberdeau's "I completely lost my swagger this year" assessment of his first season as a Flame was last spring's red flag that the club's highest-paid player was unhappy.