In my eyes this is a very important year for Hartley and his staff. Last year they got the team to buy in and it allowed them to over-achieve in a way.
This year will be different as teams will have adjusted and the Flames will not 'surprise' anyone.
I don't expect this team to have a winning record or anything like that this year, so to judge weather or not this year is a success for Hartley will rely on a couple other factors.
Can this team still leave it all on the ice over the course of a season or will the message start to get lost?
Can Hartley and crew keep the young players progressing enough that Treliving doesn't feel the need to bring in "his guy"?
If I were a betting man I'd put my money on Hartley getting an extension, but one way or the other it's another interesting storyline to keep an eye on this season.
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