The Flames players are now in the crosshairs

Calgary skaters received a more player-friendly bench boss and must do their part to make it work

The Calgary Flames have brought in a new head coach.

Now, the onus is on the players to make it a success for Ryan Huska.

The Flames certainly have a huge element in their favor going forward: the opportunity to completely change the atmosphere.

On the surface, whether people are smiling has nothing to do with the on-ice execution. However, anybody who has been part of a toxic atmosphere knows the impact it has on performance. As the saying goes, contented cows give more milk.

Former head coach Darryl Sutter has a fantastic ability to break down the Xs and Os, plot a game plan and adjust on the fly. Even his most ardent detractors can not deny it. The issue has always been the methods used, and plenty of former players reached their limit with the acerbic ways.

Huska has a tough task ahead of him going from the assistant’s chair to the head coaching position. All too often, players have a tough time dealing with the fact the person who has been the good cop in the past suddenly has to be the bad cop and lay down the law or say the tough words necessary.

Huska has a plan to help bridge the gap.

First, he knows that trust must be earned on his part.

“I feel I did that with our guys here and as a head coach in the American league,” Huska said. “I feel I earned trust in a different way when I came up as an assistant and I’m going to do the exact same thing as a head coach, earn their trust. The big thing for me is consistency in how I approach individuals and the team, and preparation to make sure they know that I’m prepared, to allow them to be prepared and then there is no more issue, period.”

From there, it’s about communication, sending a clear message. The situation has resulted in a fresh start, and the difference around the Saddledome will be palpable.

“There’s different energy around the rink. There’s a different level of optimism,” Huska said. “When you have that and good relationships with people coming in, there’s an excitement and a buzz and you want that. You want a group of guys coming in fired up and ready to go.”

The players certainly will know where Huska is coming from, and now it is up to them to also be part of the solution.

At season’s end, reports abounded of players making in-season trade requests and voicing they had no long-term intentions to remain with the club if Sutter remained at the helm. Apparently many of those requests were rescinded after the axe fell.

They received their wish, a new coach who is more about communication and succeeding as a partnership.

If the players can’t make it work now, the indictment falls at their feet.