{"id":7336,"date":"2017-03-02T21:31:56","date_gmt":"2017-03-03T02:31:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/?p=7336"},"modified":"2017-03-02T21:31:56","modified_gmt":"2017-03-03T02:31:56","slug":"curtis-lazar-gets-second-chance-with-calgary-flames","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2017\/03\/02\/curtis-lazar-gets-second-chance-with-calgary-flames\/","title":{"rendered":"Curtis Lazar Gets Second Chance with Calgary Flames"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>When he was drafted 17th overall in 2013 by the Ottawa Senators, <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/l\/lazarcu01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Curtis Lazar<\/a><\/strong> had no idea the path that his career would travel. Since draft night, its been a bumpy and uneven path to say the least. On Wednesday he found himself leaving the only NHL team he had known, and on the way to a new home.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">ICYMI: Earlier today, the <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Flames?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#Flames<\/a> acquired <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/CurtisLazar95?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@CurtisLazar95<\/a> &amp; <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Kostka85?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@Kostka85<\/a> from the <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Sens?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#Sens<\/a> ~ <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/zh2GnD5su1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/t.co\/zh2GnD5su1<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/SEXmJmUQei\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/SEXmJmUQei<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NHLFlames\/status\/837151814831091713?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">March 2, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h2>Curtis Lazar Gets Second Chance with Calgary Flames<\/h2>\n<p>Lazar was traded along with defenceman <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/k\/kostkmi01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mike Kostka<\/a><\/strong> to the Calgary Flames for defenceman <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/j\/jokipjy01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jyrki Jokipakka<\/a><\/strong> and a second round draft choice in 2017. For Lazar, he\u2019s the centerpiece of the trade for Calgary. To say that his career needs a jump-start would be an understatement.<\/p>\n<p>After having a good training camp for Ottawa in 2014-2015, he was named to the opening night roster. It was there that the signs of struggle began. Lazar didn\u2019t record his first NHL goal until December 15, 2014. He was then loaned to Team Canada for the 2015 World Junior Championships. He would serve as captain of the team and record nine points (five goals, assists assists in seven games) en-route to a gold medal win.<\/p>\n<p>Despite the strong showing at the WJHC,\u00a0Lazar\u2019s struggles at the NHL level continued. He finished the year with just 15 points. He also did not pick\u00a0in Ottawa\u2019s six game defeat in the first round of the playoffs. Last year saw a five point improvement in his production, but it was becoming clear that Ottawa had other plans for him.<\/p>\n<h3>Change of Scenery<\/h3>\n<p>He needed a change of scenery, and Senators general manager <strong>Pierre Dorion<\/strong> gave it to him. When speaking to the Canadian Press <a href=\"http:\/\/www.cbc.ca\/sports\/hockey\/nhl\/curtis-lazar-looking-forward-fresh-start-flames-1.4005700\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Dorion said<\/a>, \u201cWe all saw that it wasn\u2019t working out with Curtis this year. We just felt that (it was) giving him a fresh start, new opportunity and at the same time we were looking to improve our defensive depth and adding a high pick in this draft.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>With the trade to Calgary, it gives Lazar a second chance. A chance to prove that he can be an effective and regular NHLer. And when looking at the roster the Flames have, he should be able to fit right in. He is a skilled and versatile forward. His two-way play gives head coach <strong>Glen Gulutzan<\/strong> options to insert him anywhere in the lineup.<\/p>\n<p>By the sounds of it Lazar is excited for the move to the Flames. Lazar said:<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;You look at the possibility and the future I can have with the Flames and I couldn&#8217;t be more excited to get there and start my adventure in Calgary,I like the young core of players they have. I want to go there and try and complement that group. They&#8217;re in a dogfight for the playoffs right now. I think I can help out and hopefully I can do that and help them make the post-season.&#8221;<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Beyond excited for a fresh start with the <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NHLFlames?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@NHLFlames<\/a> can&#39;t wait to hit the ice and have some fun! See you all shortly\ud83d\udd25\ud83d\udd25\ud83d\udd25<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Curtis Lazar (@CurtisLazar95) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/CurtisLazar95\/status\/837107059665567744?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">March 2, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h3>Re-United<\/h3>\n<p>The trade also reunites Lazar with a familiar face. <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/c\/camerda01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Dave Cameron<\/a><\/strong> was the Senators head coach during Lazar&#8217;s rookie season, and is now serving as Gulutzan&#8217;s assistant in Calgary. General manager <strong>Brad Treliving<\/strong> also likes what he see&#8217;s from the Salmon Arm, B.C. native.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">&quot;He really fits into our age group.&quot; &#8211; Brad Treliving on Curtis Lazar <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/XKTUJPCUbG\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/XKTUJPCUbG<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NHLFlames\/status\/837054910579396608?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">March 1, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Right now the Flames hold down the first wildcard spot in the Western Conference. Adding both Lazar and Kostka is a depth move buy the club, however Lazar is still young with plenty of upside. That said, he needs to take the second chance he&#8217;s been given and really show that he can elevate his game.<\/p>\n<p>Main Photo:<\/p>\n<div class=\"getty embed image\" style=\"background-color: #fff; display: inline-block; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; color: #a7a7a7; font-size: 11px; width: 100%; max-width: 594px;\">\n<div style=\"padding: 0; margin: 0; text-align: left;\"><a style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/637141608\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n<div style=\"overflow: hidden; position: relative; height: 0; padding: 66.666667% 0 0 0; width: 100%;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" style=\"display: inline-block; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; margin: 0;\" src=\"\/\/embed.gettyimages.com\/embed\/637141608?et=PnTK4BguQXRUMpxfuOr5tA&amp;viewMoreLink=on&amp;sig=iYasqXpjbHBoFJEVYy7q2PbxVc_soyeXukxL_uO1a_c=&amp;caption=true\" width=\"594\" height=\"396\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p style=\"margin: 0;\">\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When he was drafted 17th overall in 2013 by the Ottawa Senators, Curtis Lazar had no idea the path that his career would travel. Since draft night, its been a bumpy and uneven path to say the least. On Wednesday he found himself leaving the only NHL team he had known, and on the way [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1912,"featured_media":7370,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[22,2],"tags":[103,1165,37,38,965,70],"class_list":["post-7336","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-flames","category-featured","tag-calgary-flames","tag-curtis-lazar","tag-hockey","tag-nhl","tag-nhl-trade-deadline","tag-ottawa-senators"],"modified_by":"Ben Kerr","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7336","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1912"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7336"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7336\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7370"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7336"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7336"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7336"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}