THE NEXT LEVEL

As a Top-5 pick in the 2015 Draft, Noah Hanifin is used to the pressure and grandiose op-eds written about his future.
But now, nearly 400 games into his NHL career, the very notion that this is him, fully bloomed, is flatly rebuffed.
He knows there's another level to get to.
"That's my No.-1 goal for this year," Hanifin said. "This is my sixth year and a lot of people figure this is who I am as a player. But I'm still 23, and there's a whole aspect of my game that I haven't revealed yet."

Although Hanifin's 24th birthday is coming up in only two weeks, consider this: Prized college free-agent signee Connor Mackey - who's an excellent prospect and someone the Flames feel could be ready for NHL duty at some point soon - is already that age. Before Game 1 of his pro career, no one would be foolish enough to pigeon-hole this player, pre-determine his peak and leave no room for growth.
It's a stunningly stark contrast.
Hanifin, meanwhile, is already an impact player in this league that reliably plays more than 20 minutes per game in every situation imaginable.
He has world-class wheels, an excellent first pass, and a history of putting up points at every level he's played.
Hanifin has the pedigree. Only now, it's about re-discovering that 'edge,' being up on his toes and playing with confidence.
Like he knows he can.
"I don't think I've been as aggressive as I was when I was younger, so I'm looking to make that change this year," Hanifin said. "It's always been inside of me, but I think there's been some hesitation. I think too much in certain situations. Sometimes you've got to be smart and sometimes I've got to rely more on my own instincts.
"That's what got me to the NHL when I was top pick and i think I've drifted away from that a little bit."

Assistant Coach Ryan Huska, who oversees the development of Calgary's burgeoning blueliners, is proud of his protégé for having identified this himself.
Often, the mental side of the NHL grind evolves more gradually than the physical aspect.
No matter how talented (or experienced) you are.
"Being able to reflect back at the distance that he's come in a short period - and all the games and all the experience that he's had in his young career so far - have helped him over the course of the summer and it's motivated him to come in and be a better player now," Huska said. "He's coming in now and he's trying to prove to people that he can be a powerplay guy, he can be a penalty-kill guy, and that he wants to be used in one or both of those situations every night.
"That's maturity. Mentally, more than anything.
"Sure, he's been in the league a long time, but he's still a young guy. His body might be at a different level, but the mental side is a real important challenge for any young player. This year, he's really dug in in that area and is pretty committed to being a difference-maker."
And as his coach, Huska is right there to support him, every step of the way.
"When you stand back and look at the package that Noah has, he's an elite skater," he said. "Everyone knows that about him. He has a great offensively mindset. I think the challenge most coaches face is that you don't want to stifle what he has - you want to work with him to improve the other areas of his game. But there's a fine line between giving too much where a player starts to overthink things a little bit. As a coach, I love hearing that he's come in with this mindset. He's being very vocal with the media about that, and I think it's going to be really good for him this year."
Hanifin has been paired with fellow youngster Rasmus Andersson for the majority of camp - a duo that did great things in the playoffs last year and really allowed Andersson, in particular, to flourish offensively.
"He's a really smart player and a great skater," Andersson said of his partner. "We communicate really well, too, because we're really good friends off the ice, and I think that helps.
"We've got a lot of confidence in each other, so we want to keep it going this year."
Hanifin scored five goals and had 22 points in 70 regular-season dates last year, before adding another four helpers in 10 playoff games.
With a career-high 33 points (5G, 28A) attained the year prior, 40 isn't out of the question in a 'normal,' 82-game loop, while continuing to increase his load on the defensive side of the puck.
With only 56 turns on the docket this year, Hanifin isn't putting a number on it; but he does know that with age - and experience - good things happen. He points to captain Mark Giordano, who had his best year and won the Norris Trophy at the ripe age of 35, as a player that developed at his own pace and found a way to make strides every year on tour.
Hanifin has a whole career ahead of him before getting to that point. But if the skipper can do it, why can't he?
"He kept getting better, kept working on his game every year and got to the point where he was the best defenceman in the NHL," Hanifin said.
"It all depends on how hard you work and how much you want to get better."