QUOTABLES - 21.04.17

On the 2016-17 season:
"I loved my time here and it was great. Been able to come back home and play in front of friends and family was amazing for me. I can't say enough good things about this season. It didn't end the way we wanted but it was a super positive year. I was given a great opportunity, I'm proud of it and happy about it. I'd love to be in Calgary, I have my friends and family close by and that makes it great, I'd love to be home and that's really big to me. This team is really set up for good things in the future, we build off the experience we had and take it one step forward." - Kris Versteeg

"We had a little of a slow start, with a new coaching staff we needed time to settle in. After that we did some special things as a group, we've become a very tight group. We have a lot of character in this room, we can look at the season and take some positives from it. We can add a few pieces over the summer but we have a pretty good group. We were very competitive and we just need to remember the feeling of being successful." - Michael Frolik
"It was tough in the beginning, we were searching for who we were and getting used to a new system and new players. We found a way as a group and grew stronger as a team, we played some good hockey overall. With Chucky and Fro, we had some good chemistry and hopefully we can keep that going next year. I had a lot of fun playing with them and they're great players. Hopefully we can keep that chemistry going forward for a few years." - Mikael Backlund
"It was fun to play here and the fans have been great. It's a great hockey team to be apart of and a great organization headed in the right direction. The progression from the start of the year to the last stretch run, we saw the growth as a group. I want to be apart of that. My heart is here and there is no denying that and I'd love to remain here in Calgary." - Chad Johnson
On the first round series vs. Anaheim:
"It stings. I feel like we were a lot closer, I know a 4-0 series doesn't make it look that way but we played some really good hockey, but we didn't get any results. At key moments in games they found a way, their top players do a good job in finding a way to get a goal or stop a goal. They found ways to win and we have to learn from it, but give them credit for it. It's not a fun day when you come in to clean out your locker but we'll regroup and use the summer to train to get better." - Mark Giordano
"I thought we played well, we played good enough to win. We needed a few bounces and not give them everything in a couple of games, a couple of bad goals bit us. Overall I thought we played pretty solid games and it could've been a different series if we could've pulled out a couple wins." - Deryk Engelland
"They're a good team, a big physical team and it was a tough series. I don't think we deserved to get swept but a couple bounces here and there and next thing you know you're down 3-0. I don't think we deserved it but that's the way it goes. We got a taste of it and I think as a team we could've went deep but we didn't quite get the outcome that we wanted. It's just a learning experience, you get to play against those guys who have been there before and gone deep before. We learned playing against them and as younger guys we can get better." - Johnny Gaudreau
"It's still a weird feeling right now for it to end so quick. It still doesn't feel like its over and obviously it's disappointing. We were close, bounces and different plays and just little things in between changed the game. We played really good but it'll fuel us for next year. There are positives to it but also we're here right now and that's the tough part. The biggest thing is seeing how close we were and we have to build on it." - Dougie Hamilton
On expectations for next season:
"Our belief from the start has to be there. At the beginning of the season with the ups and downs we were a bit shaky but at the second half of the season, we started to believe. We were a good team and we were right there with the rest of the top teams in the league. We have to come next year and come off the start with the mentality that we are one of the best teams in the league. Now is the time to take that next step." -Giordano
"We want to have a lot better of start but there is potential with this team. I said it last year on day one when I became a Flame that I loved the potential of this hockey club. We're going in the right direction and got a little bit of the experience and have a lot of key pieces in place. We're going to continue to get better and guys are going to individually get better. Come September, we will come back together collectively to continue to get better. After this season and playoffs we feel like we have more to prove and going into next year we're going to try and put ourselves in a better spot headed into playoffs and that's something we're already thinking about it." - Troy Brouwer
"It was a lot of fun and a good experience to get the playoff atmosphere here in Calgary for the first time. It makes you hungry to get back there next season. For myself it's to try and get settled here, I got in five games and I'm already looking forward to next season. I know the impact that I am going to have down the road, next year I am going to take off. I want to be an impact player and I know that I have it in me. I look at the opportunity I got here in Calgary, they gave me a chance, they saved my season. It's just a matter of hitting my stride and getting more games in." - Curtis Lazar
"What we do over the next 16 weeks, we have to have one of the most important summer and a hard working summer individually and collectively and be prepared to come back here and raise the bar. I think it's time we raise the bar up, the expectation here needs to be raised. It's hard to get into playoffs but good teams expect to make it year after year. This team is going to do that, there is a lot to be proud of and a lot to look forward to." - Brad Treliving