'There's a ton of excitement'

Nazem Kadri has knocked down a few targets in his day.

In fact, he was nearly crowned the NHL's top sniper at the annual all-star skills competition this past winter.

But this?

Who would've thought his natural goal-scoring talent would seamlessly cross into the art of clay shooting?

"First time," Kadri laughed on Tuesday between rounds at Brian Burke's 'Targets for Kids' fundraiser in support of KidSport Calgary. "Not going to lie - I was pretty nervous coming out here. But I hit a few in practice and that got the confidence up, so hopefully I don't embarrass myself out there."

Not to worry.

He's clearly a natural - and after a crash course from the sharp-shooters at the Calgary Firearm Centre, he soon found himself in the Final Four of the 'Annie Oakley' event, featuring 25 of Calgary's top celebrity gunslingers, including a handful of Flames alumni, Olympians and broadcasters.

"Number one, it's a great cause," Kadri said. "Then, to get a chance to support Burkie … I couldn't pass it up. He drafted me and gave me an opportunity in this league.

"It's a cool dynamic. We're good friends to this day and we'd do anything for each other."

For Kadri, giving back is in his blood.

But with how things have gone over the past few months, it's clear he has more than one reason to scope things out around town as we enter the back-nine of the Flames' off-season.

"There's a ton of excitement," Kadri said, echoing how many in the locker-room are feeling nowadays. "It's a re-energizing feeling anytime you make any sort of coaching or management change. But when you look at what (Flames GM Craig Conroy) has built, we've got a coaching staff that is going to have us playing a different way and, in my opinion, more to our style.

"When I look at a guy like (Head Coach Ryan) Huska, first and foremost, he cares about winning. He's a really competitive guy. In talking to him several times over the last few months, I have a really good idea of how he wants us to play and what he expects out of us. He's a guy that communicates well, too, and I think that's going to be great for our team.

"It's what we need."

We've heard countless times over the past few months how communication is paramount - especially when it comes to the younger generation of athletes. It was a focal point of three consecutive press conferences, from the change in management to when Huska made his opening remarks, live and in-person at the Scotiabank Saddledome. But above all, Kadri is most encouraged by the coach's vision offensively. Across all levels of the organization, there is now a unified message about the attack style that's required these days, and how the Flames can return to their high-powered roots and become more of a threat, with a combination of returning personnel and a spoonful of youth.

"It's back to that excitement we talked about," Kadri said. "That's the new-school hockey. That's the new-school NHL. I think the offence is very modernized and you have to be able to use your creativity to have success. I can tell Husk is thinking outside the box already.

"For me - and I know for a lot of guys, too - we feel rejuvenated and we're going to come out with lots of energy next year."

Heck … he already is.

Cruising the Alberta countryside in his immaculate, black cowboy hat, bronze leather boots and a cream-coloured Alan Jackson tee with the phrase 'Gone Country' emblazoning the back, Kadri is already decked out for the Stampede Rodeo - which he will attend at some point this week, as part of his first-ever trip to The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.

You see, Kadri is not only investing time and opening up his heart to those in need.

He's embracing the lifestyle and diving head-first into all that makes our city great.

It's a message he feels is needed after a season of on-ice turmoil and enough outside noise to rival the pop of the 20-gauge weapons firing around us.

"I love the city. I love it," Kadri said, unequivocally. "It's got such great people, great fans. They're passionate and that's what you want as a player. In a Canadian market - and with the new arena coming - I don't think there's a better option.

"I'm completely committed to this organization, this franchise, and trying to improve us on the ice, so we can get to where we want to go.

"And honestly?

"I think this off-season has been a blessing in disguise to get our heads and our bodies right, so we can come back full force in the fall."