Bob Hartley has a plan, and it involves a very shiny trophy.
The Calgary Flames coach — and recipient of the 2015 Jack Adams Award — is ready to prove to the hockey world that last season’s Cinderella-like playoff run was no fluke.
He’s also ready to lead his team to the Stanley Cup.
“We have to remember not only what we did [last season], but how we did it. How much we had to invest, how much we had to sacrifice — and that’s my job,” Hartley told Sportsnet 960 The FAN Thursday. “We need to make a statement. We need to take this team to the next step.
“My plan is to help this organization to bring the best trophy, the shiniest trophy in the world to this city.”
LISTEN: Bob Hartley on the quest for the Cup.
The Flames made plenty of big moves this off-season to put that plan into action, including picking up young star defenceman Dougie Hamilton and signing him to a six-year extension, picking up free agent forward Michael Frolik and extending captain Mark Giordano‘s tenure with the Flames by signing a smart six-year deal.
But there’s also a wildcard in the mix, and fans got a glimpse of his brilliance this past spring: Sam Bennett.
He’s quick, he’s smart, and he’s got a lot of grit.
He also happens to be a pain, says Hartley.
“He’s a pain on the ice and he’s a pain to coach,” Hartley said with a laugh. “He was coming to bug me during his rehab once he came back from [his OHL team, the Kingston Frontenacs]. Almost every day, he was in my office: ‘Can I do the warmup?’ ‘No Sam, you’re not on our roster.’ ‘Well put me on the roster!’”
The 2014 fourth overall draft pick suffered a shoulder injury during the pre-season last year that delayed his NHL debut.
Though he was impatient to get back on the ice — “like a kid in a candy store,” said Hartley — he proved to be worth the wait. After a long recovery, Bennett made his first NHL start in the final game of the regular season — and scored just 33 seconds in.
“You know, I’m saying he’s a pain — he’s not a pain. He just wants to play,” said Hartley. “He’s one of those thoroughbreds that wants to run and run and run — and gosh, I’m not going to stop him.”
Bennett played all 11 of the Flames’ playoff games, registering three goals and one assist. The natural centre carved out a temporary spot for himself along the wing — but that won’t be the case this year, as Hartley is determined to make him into the NHL centre they drafted him to be.
“We drafted him as a centre, and at camp we’re going to work unbelievably hard with Sammy, we’re going to see him in many games so that we can really test him, we can really teach him,” said Hartley. “I have lots of trust, I have lots of high hopes on Sam Bennett, and I want him at centre.
“I’m going to push him, I’m going to support him,” Hartley added. “We love Sammy — he’s going to do great with us.”
Hartley also spoke openly about new acquisitions Hamilton and Frolik during his radio interview, as well as the team’s growth and his own future with the club. Here are some excerpts:
On the addition of Hamilton:
With Dougie, we got bigger, we got better, we got faster. Here’s a 22-year-old defenceman that’s already an NHL defenceman, and he’s gonna get better. We’re just scratching the surface … we know he’s gonna do well.
On defensive pairings:
It seems to be the No. 1 question in the city right now. I don’t think that even us, the coaching staff, know the answer right now … We want our D-men to get to know [Hamilton] because you never know, we’re always unfortunately an injury away from retooling our blueline or our lineup.
On the team’s growth:
We’re growing more than just as an organization; we’re growing as a family. This is a fun team to coach, this is an easy team to coach. … Not only are they great hockey players, they’re great individuals and that’s what is making the difference with us right now.
On Frolik’s fit with the Flames:
Michael Frolik fits so well with us because he plays the game the right way. I always tell our players — you can ask them — it’s not about playing my way, it’s not about playing your way, it’s playing the game the right way. That’s what he brings.
On his coaching “work” … and his retirement:
I don’t work. I don’t think that I’ve worked one day since 1987, the day that I wanted to be a coach.
I can’t ask for more [in Calgary]. It’s a great three years that I’ve been here, and I sincerely hope that I’ll finish my coaching career here.
