[MissTeeks]

Morning Skate Report: Flames @ Oilers

http://flames.nhl.com/club/news.htm?...id=DL|CGY|home

For the veterans, exhibition outings offer up the opportunity to get their legs back under them and tune-up their game before the regular season gets underway on Oct. 7th.

"It’s a little rusty, but it’s good," Mikael Backlund chuckled. "I didn’t get into any pre-season games last year. It’ll be good to get the full camp this year and get fully prepared. Last year wasn’t optimal. It went okay anyway, but I’m excited for camp. It’ll be good to get a game in."

Kris Russell has 511 NHL games on his resume but appreciates the tune-up the pre-season offers him. Shoring up small details with his game, getting his timing back, and playing against divisional rivals like the Oilers is something he welcomes after a summer of training.

"We have to focus on our start, make sure we have a good start. Get our feet moving and get that work ethic back in our group and go from there.
"Obviously going into Edmonton, they’ll have the fans on their side, there will be some excitement. We just have to control our emotions early, get the feel for it, make sure that we are going after it and realize that it is game time."

After winning the draft lottery and selecting Connor McDavid first overall this past June, the city of Edmonton has been buzzing with excitement over the upcoming season. McDavid is expected to play at Rexall Place tonight, giving the Flames Edmonton-bound troops a new challenge to tackle.

"It’s a little different because I’ve never faced him," Russell mused. "I don’t know his tendencies or what kind of player he truly is. At the same time, Wideman and I try to take every game the same. We try to have good gap control, take time and space away, and make sure that when they do have opportunities, it’s limited.

"It’s a challenge obviously. They’ve got some high-end forwards on that team. A lot of skill and a lot of speed. It’s a good test and it’s good to get your lungs going and get your feet moving at a high pace. It’s going to be a challenge, but it’s one that we are prepared for."

"There’s a lot of excitement here. Personally, I feel really strongly about this team. We made some moves this summer, keeping Ramo in net was big too. Everyone is getting a little older and a little better hopefully. I’m looking forward to getting Gio back on the ice. It should be a good year for us." - Mikael Backlund