With the Calgary Flames, Jason Jaffray can walk the fine line of familiarity.

Jason Jaffray

Photograph by : Herald Archive

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Which, in his mind, is perfect.

The Flames know all about Jaffray. Calgary's assistant coach Ryan McGill coached him in Kootenay for three seasons, a term that included the 2000 Western Hockey League championship. And, at the 2002 Hershey Cup, Brent Sutter, then at the helm of the Red Deer Rebels, named Jaffray captain of the Western Conference all-star side.

"I'm coming to a new team, but I'm not starting from scratch," said Jaffray, whose two-year, two-way contract with the Flames will pay him the minimum - $500,000 US - at the National Hockey League level. "They know what I can do and what to expect from me.

"I'm extremely excited."

But, despite that well-established background, the Flames have made it clear they aren't willing to judge the young man from Olds. He won't be pigeonholed as organizational filler.

After five seasons with the American Hockey League's Manitoba Moose - and 33 games with the parent Vancouver Canucks - Jaffray figured it was time to move on.

"Vancouver had me labelled as a depth guy."

Which meant that after sifting through the pro bids - "I had a lot of great offers on the table" - and narrowing it down to the Canucks and the Flames, Jaffray decided to stay in Alberta. He knows he'll get a long look here.

"At the end of my career, I didn't want to have any regrets (about not becoming a full-time NHLer)," said Jaffray, who turned 28 a week ago. "That was the deciding factor."

The Flames have also re-signed Jamie Lundmark, a known commodity in these parts.

The Edmonton native received a one-year, two-way deal, worth $600,000 US at the big-league level.

Yet to be announced is the signing of defenceman Staffan Kronwall, who, according to the league (NHL.com), is a member of the Flames. The younger brother of Detroit Red Wings defender Niklas Kronwall, the 25-year-old spent last season with the Toronto Marlies and the Hershey Bears of the AHL (and managed to sneak in three games with the Washington Capitals).

Jaffray, not surprisingly, is gunning for permanent work on Calgary's third or fourth line.

"I realize there might be only one or two spots open," said Jaffray, a six-foot-one, 195-pounder who can play centre or the wing. "The versatility of my game is great. You've got to take advantage."

In his 15 games with the Canucks last winter, he showed he could produce.

"A coupla fights, a coupla goals, a coupla assists."

A key part of the Moose's long run for the Calder Cup - and assistant captain of the outfit - Jaffray collected 19 points in 21 games. The post-season went well into June.

"I took 10 days off and got back to work."

Lundmark, from his Philadelphia-area home, said that, despite his unrestricted free-agent status, "I pretty much knew that I was coming back to the Flames. I was always kind of committed to Calgary. (Flames boss Darryl Sutter) has been loyal to me. The Flames have been loyal to me."

In fact, the two sides - Sutter and agent Don Meehan - had been talking plenty prior to the July 1 deadline, so it's no shock that things got worked out.

"They gave me an opportunity

. . . so it really wasn't a question," he said. "I plan on being in Calgary all year."

In 27 games last season with the Flames, Lundmark recorded 16 points - including a highlight-reel goal at Detroit.

Now, the 28-year-old is pleased to be back, especially with the squad's fresh look.

"The new coaching staff is a great thing," said Lundmark. "Brent, he's going to hold all the players accountable every night. It works for me."

Lundmark approves of the other big move, too. But then again, he's a little biased - Jay Bouwmeester's father, Dan, used to coach him in novice.

"It's huge - huge for the team," he said of the Bouwmeester acquisition. "He's proven to be one of the top defencemen in the league."

C-NOTES: Leader of the Flames' lunch-pail brigade last winter, C Warren Peters has signed with the Dallas Stars . . . The summer's rookie camp opens July 20 at the Pengrowth Saddledome.

scruickshank

@theherald.canwest.com