[Otto-matic]

What precisely, he's asked, injects him with optimism for the task ahead?

"Everything," he answers. "Starting with Smitty in goal, to our defence, to Gio, the adds we made and then how deep our forward group is. We've got skill, we've got grit, we've got goaltending.

"I've been through tons of different playoff-type atmospheres,'' he says of this fresh challenge. "I've been through all different types of series. Lots of stuff. I'm going to try and bring that to Calgary, to the locker room, help the young guys as best I can and kinda lead by example.

"I want to win. Bad.

"I've been really close to the ultimate the last two years. When you get a taste of that … the way a city comes together, a team comes together, well, it's a pretty special time.

"I know Calgary's been through that before and wants to experience it again.

"A short summer for me is winding down pretty fast here.

"So I'm just excited to get there, get going, and start a new chapter in my career."

I'm so happy Neal signed with the Flames.

https://www.nhl.com/app/flames/news/...or/c-299859440