'HE'S SO SMART, SO SKILLED'

Elias Lindholm is a lot like you and me.
When Johnny Gaudreau signed with the Blue Jackets - followed by the Matthew Tkachuk trade a few weeks later - the news hit hard.
But the uncertainty of it all soon turned to excitement.

"Obviously, it was pretty big news," Lindholm said of the blockbuster summer. "Johnny wanted to go elsewhere and Chucky wanted a new challenge. At the time, as a teammate, a lot things go through your head - especially with the year we had last year. But management did a great job in bringing in some great guys and when you look at the group we have now, we think we can be even better than last year."
Lindholm, who was flanked by Tyler Toffoli and newcomer Jonathan Huberdeau on Day 1 of Training Camp, will again be the 'centre'-piece of the Flames' offence this year.
The top-line pivot is coming off a career season, tying for the team lead with 42 goals and reaching the point-per-game plateau for the first time in his nine loops in tour. He was also widely regarded as one of the league's best two-way centres and was named a finalist for the Selke Trophy as a result.
He's excited to pick up where he left off with a new set of wingers.
"Obviously, it's tough after only one skate, but it's pretty clear what he brings to the table," Lindholm said of Huberdeau, who led the NHL with 85 helpers last year. "He's so smart, so skilled, and he passes the puck better than almost anyone in the league. He makes it really easy for his linemates out there and you can tell, it won't be too hard to start (developing) some chemistry together."

In time, that will come - but considering Huberdeau's 115 points last year tied Gaudreau for second in the NHL, you'd expect the feeling-out process to come naturally.
In Huberdeau, the Flames not only get one of the game's gifted distributors, but they also welcome a consummate pro that exudes confidence and prides himself on being in the spotlight.
In fact, there was a moment during Thursday's practice where he grabbed prospect Martin Pospisil from behind, hugged him, shared a few words of encouragement and tapped him on the pants before skating off.
An innocent, if not 'predictable' interaction at this level, but for one of the newest players on the team to take time and help a young player along speaks volumes about his presence in the locker-room.
Already.
"You look at him and what he's done through his career - he's a leader," Lindholm said. "He has that aura about him where players look up to him. Learn from him. You can never have enough of those guys and I think he's going to be really important for this team to have a player like that."
And the feeling is mutual.
Huberdeau has never played with two righties before, so that alone is intriguing. Add the fact that Lindholm blew the doors off last year and Toffoli is a perennial 20-goal getter, the 29-year-old has every reason to like the new mix.
"I'm excited to play with these guys," said Huberdeau, who signed an eight-year extension shortly after the trade. "We're going to build chemistry throughout camp.
"I'm kind of a playmaker and think I can be a good fit. They're going to shoot a lot of pucks and score a lot of goals.
"The first experience today was great."

What's not to like?
Even Lindholm, who typically speaks in a more measured tone than many of his 'mates, is "pumped" about the new look.
He's now entering his 10th year in the league and wants nothing more than to get back to the playoffs and make amends for the second-round defeat last May.
When asked if he had a chance to reflect and really take pride in the season he had last year, Lindholm said those fleeting moments of ponder were quickly interrupted.
After all, it's the present that counts.
"I did for a days there," he said with a laugh. "Then, a bunch of stuff happened (referring to all the player movement) and you start thinking about that. But no, I'm obviously happy and a little bit proud of how last year went personally. But it's no different than the team - I need to come back even better so I can help the team win. That's the goal for every guy in here.
"Obviously, it's such a long journey to get there. Sometimes, it's hard to look ahead that far. It was a great season - but like you said, you're never satisfied if you go home early.
"The key for us is to not let ourselves become complacent. We took a big step, but we all went home and wanted to come back better. It's a goal of ours, now, to be an even better team in the regular season this year so we're better prepared come playoffs."