Bollig a lean, mean machine
Flames’ winger turning heads in camp with conditioning, attitude
Among the most impressive turns of anyone in Calgary Flames’ training camp comes courtesy of left winger Brandon Bollig.
“Much leaner,’’ analyzed head coach Bob Hartley. “Faster. Bolls has an unbelievable shot. Probably one of the best wrist shots in the league.
“We have to be fair with Bolls. That trade” — the 2014 draft day deal that brought him to Calgary in exchange for a third- round draft pick — “probably surprised him and even shocked him a little bit. So it took him time.
“He’s a great team guy and everything, but towards the end of ( last) year we saw, I think, the real Brandon Bollig.
“He’s had a great summer. I’ve talked to him many times over the summer. So have Jacques ( Cloutier) and Marty ( Gelinas).
“He came to camp in great shape and he’s been a very positive story for us.’’
LADD SEES SIMILARITIES
The Jets and Flames, in Andrew Ladd’s mind, share a lot in common. A year ago, both teams surprised and ended frustrating periods of being on the outside looking enviously in come playoff time. Meaning both, for the first time in quite some time, are facing amped- up expectations.
“We’re two pretty similar groups,’’ acknowledged Ladd, the former Calgary Hitmen star. “We both have very mobile back ends that move the puck really well. I think that’s where it starts for both teams, really, getting those guys up in the rush. Having kind of that second wave of offence.
“Then you’ve got the guys up front that work really hard. There’s probably more skill there than you think, but it’s how hard they play and the structure they play with.’’
No different than their opposition Thursday, the Jets are itching to show everyone they weren’t just a one- hit wonder.
“That’s the tough part of trying to get yourself ramped back up in pre- season,’’ said Ladd. “You go from the emotional high of playoff games, come back the next pre- season and it’s like, ‘ All right, let’s get these over with. Let’s play games that matter.’ That’s where mentally you have to be able to get yourself to that level.’’