Looking for a spark

The Calgary Flames are looking for offence. That's no secret.

The question is, will there be a surprise as to who will step up and supply it? That is perhaps were Paul Byron comes in.

Byron, a gifted performer in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, where he racked up 91 goals and 120 assists for 211 points in 184 games over three seasons with the Gatineau Olympiques, has picked up his game since he first moved into pro hockey.

After a modest 33 points in 57 games in his first AHL campaign, the 22-year-old centre scored 26 goals and 53 points in just 67 games with the Portland Pirates last season. He also saw some NHL action, notching a goal and an assist in eight contests with the Buffalo Sabres.

The Ottawa native arrived in Calgary, along with defenceman Chris Butler, in the off-season trade that saw Robyn Regehr and Ales Kotalik relocate to Western New York. The Flames also sent a second-round pick in the 2012 draft to Buffalo in the deal.

In preseason game No. 1, Byron performed on a line with Alex Tanguay and Rene Bourque, an indication of what the Flames think of his potential.

Now it's up to Byron to prove his 5-foot-9, 175-pound frame can stand up to the NHL.

It can certainly be done. Michael Cammalleri has fared quite nicely. Not to mention Ray Whitney, for nearly two decades.

And Brad Marchand is fresh off some big-time Stanley Cup success and a brand new contract. All in that 175-185 pound weight class.

The Flames are hoping they've found a similar answer in their modest-sized newcomer.