FRONT AND CENTRE

Derek Ryan is feeling invigorated these days.
He's been around long enough, in multiple leagues with differing curriculums, to hear a long list of inspirational anecdotes from some of the sport's most powerful voices.
But even he couldn't help but feel swayed by what Darryl Sutter considers the key to prosperity.

"He has a strong opinion on the outcome of games if we're able to outplay the other centremen," said Ryan, a cerebral, two-way pivot in his own right. "I think that's a big part of what he's trying to implement.
"It was something he said directly to the group on his first day here - the importance of the centremen, winning games and controlling the middle of the ice.
"For me, that means focusing on out-playing the guy across from me.
"I've never really heard or even processed (the game) that way, but it certainly struck me when he said that."
There, in that moment, Ryan could feel a sense of excitement, knowing that he would be leaned on heavily.
It was all music to his ears.
The 34-year-old centred the so-called 'fourth' line Thursday, but thanks to Sutter's all-hands approach and emphasis on centre-ice talent, Ryan played a season-high 14:41, while notching a pair of helpers en route to the 2-1 victory.
Ryan is everything Sutter loves in a player. He takes care of his own end first, while his ability to process the game at high speed and make plays under pressure at both ends is criminally underrated. Most of all, he works his tail off and plays a structured, 200-foot game that makes others around him better, while chipping in offensively as well.
It's why, when Sutter was re-introduced to the city last Friday, the skipper singled out the Doctor as one of the key pieces of the franchise.
"It's nice to have a somewhat-personal relationship to understand where he's coming from, what his expectations are, and I think that naturally, organically leads to players being more successful," Ryan said. "Then, specifically, when you have someone who's a little more strict, like Darryl, people are going to have a little more inclination to follow through on the things that he's asking of us."
In Sutter's world, everything is clear.
He cares deeply about his players and wants them all to be successful, both as individuals and for the team, but if you don't put in the work and give yourself entirely to the process, you won't play.
It's that simple.
What we saw Thursday was a great example of how Sutter hopes to transform the look of these Flames. He demands that all four lines and all three D pairs can be counted upon any point in the game. While Ryan played a season-high 14-plus, no other forward played more than Mikael Backlund's 18:17.
Now that's balance.
So, when we look back and marvel at the tempo, intensity and forecheck on display, we realize why that game can be sustainable. It all depends on the players' ability to govern their shift length and commit to the team above all else.

"It is hard to play that way," Ryan agreed of the first forward - or 'F1' - "hunting" the puck carrier on the forecheck, and how taxing that can be over a full night's work. "But that strategy is only part of the equation. I think it was evident (Thursday night), (Sutter) wants us to play four lines, and play my line a little more than it has been in the past, which is nice. It's allowed us to maintain that pace, that style of play, and that level of execution.
"You have to be able to spread out the time a little bit more to different players, and I think it's been really effective so far. I know I can only speak for myself and what I was feeling coming off the bench, but helped me get in the game right away.
"Even as my line was going, and we were kind of buzzing and feeling good about ourselves - and then we score a goal and feel even better - he continued to play us. We didn't get stymied by the game itself, whether it was penalties or TV timeouts. A lot of the previous game, the fourth line, you get to a TV timeout and you were set to go up next, but then it starts all over again and you sit for a lot longer than you'd like. That didn't happen last night, and I think that really gave everyone on my line a boost in terms of feeling involved in the game and getting into a good rhythm."
In the nine minutes and change that Ryan, Sam Bennett and goal-scorer Josh Leivo played together 5-on-5, they recorded five scoring chances - including 1-0 from the home-plate area - while surrendering nada. Not even one.
That's twice now in his last four games that Ryan has had a multi-point effort to lead his team to victory.
This, after missing 13 games with a broken hand.
"I'm feeling good," Ryan said "I had that nice play on my first shift back (assist on Brett Ritchie's goal) and that always kind of sets the table a little bit, and you feel good about yourself again after being out for an extended period of time.
"My confidence has grown from there.
"I'm feeling really happy and confident with my game right now."