'SHOW THAT I BELONG'

BUFFALO - Jakob Pelletier is past the honeymoon phase.
No longer is he 'just happy to be here.'
Six games and 10 shots into his NHL career, the former first-round pick badly wants to get on the scoresheet and reward the coaching staff for giving him such a golden opportunity.

"I really want to produce," Pelletier said following Friday's practice in Buffalo. "The last two games, we've lost by one goal. I had a breakaway and we had a powerplay late in the game, too. You have to score on those."
Certainly, the offence - or lack thereof - has been a consistent talking point in the Flames' orbit of late. Pelletier, though, is hardly to blame. With each passing day, it's obvious the 21-year-old is feeling more and more comfortable in his NHL skin.

In addition to playing on the second line with Nazem Kadri and mentor Jonathan Huberdeau - the latter setting him up for a nifty chance off the rush in Thursday's first period - he's also getting a primetime look on the second powerplay unit, where he's offering a gritty, yet silky, net-front presence.
In other words, he doesn't look out of place.
"Just to be involved, it's great," said Pelletier, who led all Flames forwards with 13:16 of even-strength ice time in Detroit. "But now, it's on me to show that I (belong) there and create some offence.
"With the (AHL's) Wranglers, I was more in the bumper position - but they like me in front of the net for the rebounds. I think I can be pretty quick to those. Hopefully I can get a bounce tomorrow here."

The 5-foot-9, 160-lb. winger is not the biggest guy in the world, but he plays with edge and is willing to get to the dirty areas, which Darryl Sutter says he needs more of from his group.
It's only a matter of time before he pops one.
"I know guys are bigger and stronger at this level, but I'm the type of player who isn't afraid of any of that," Pelletier said. "For me, it's pretty simple. Go to the net, get my stick down and try and create something. Even if it's just winning a battle and trying to screen the goalie for a shot, that's what I'm trying to do."
Pelletier has a number of family members making the nearly 10-hour drive from Quebec to watch him play on Saturday, before travelling up to Ottawa for finale of the road trip, also.
What a story it would be if he got his first point (or his first goal!) with those he loves most watching from the stands.