Hamilton, Frolik expect to win with Flames

CALGARY -- Dougie Hamilton and Michael Frolik share one goal moving to the Calgary Flames: Win.

"I think there's obviously an expectation to win," Hamilton said Friday when the players were introduced by the Flames. "I think I'm used to that being in Boston, but I think it's exciting here with moving upwards and a team that maybe struggled in the past and really improved. Hopefully we can keep improving and I think that's an exciting piece to be a part of."

The 22-year-old defenseman was acquired in a trade with the Boston Bruins hours before the 2015 NHL Draft on June 26. Four days later, he signed a contract extension reportedly worth $34.5 million over six years.

Frolik, a 27-year-old forward, signed a five-year contract reportedly worth $21.5 million when free agency opened July 1.

"When I look at last year, I was pretty impressed with what this team did," said Frolik, who played the past two seasons with the Winnipeg Jets. "They have a really young, talented team with a great future.

"I think we added me and Dougie and the expectations are going to be higher and higher. When the young guys get older, the expectations get higher. The goal is to make the [Stanley Cup Playoffs], but you don't want to think too far ahead. The start of the season is going to be huge and we'll see how it goes."

The Flames last season made the playoffs for the first time since 2009 and advanced beyond the first round for the second time since winning the Stanley Cup in 1989.

Calgary general manager Brad Treliving used the promise of future success as part of his recruiting.

"Playoffs, to me, was the high point of just seeing the atmosphere in the building, seeing the city come alive, seeing support and the passion our fans have, it makes players excited," Treliving said. "So when you're selling your program, there are receptive ears. It starts when they look and say, 'I like what's going on here. We have a chance to win.' That makes the pitch easier."

Hamilton, who said Friday he thought he "was going to be a Bruin for life," and Frolik also managed to convince Treliving.

"The exciting part for me is, we made the trade for Dougie in Florida at the draft, we get on the phone and we start talking, you get a little bit into the conversation and what he talks about is winning," the GM said. "We meet with Michael at the draft. We're able to sign him on July 1. A short time into the conversation he starts talking about winning.

"They both want to win. Ultimately players want to get into a situation where they have a chance to win."

Treliving isn't about to brag about a Western Conference Second Round exit against the Anaheim Ducks. He suggested there's plenty of work to be done and expects Hamilton and Frolik will help.

"We had a little bit of success, and I want to temper that because we shouldn't be hurting our shoulders patting each other on the back or anything yet, there's a lot more to do and to accomplish," Treliving said. "I think the expectations will be up. When you make the playoffs and make some additions and make the team better, they should be and we should embrace that.

"You look around the League, it hasn't gotten any worse. The challenge for us is we need to get better and we're excited these two will help us with that."