"Brent Sutter didn't mince words.

When asked about Roman Horak still being with the team in the final days leading up to the season opener, the Calgary Flames coach said: "He's here. The way he's played (to) this point in time, you've got to expect him in the opening day lineup."

How long Horak remains with the big club remains to be seen.

It could be all season. It could be just a couple of games.

There are players every year who stand out in the pre-season but can't elevate their games when there are points in the standings on the line.

Still, it's a credit to the 20-year-old centre who came over with a pair of second-round draft picks in the summertime trade that saw 2009 first-round draft choice Tim Erixon go to the New York Rangers."