CALGARY, Alberta — Brett Clark is healthy again and hopeful of duplicating his career-best 2006-07 season when he had 10 goals and 39 points.

The 31-year-old defenseman was having a decent season last year with five goals and 21 points in 57 games when he suffered a dislocated shoulder in a Feb. 12 game against Anaheim. He needed surgery and missed the rest of the season.

"I knew it was bad," said Clark, who is in the first year of a two-year contract extension worth $3.5 million a season. "It was just a matter of taking the lump and working hard to get back. It was very tough just watching your team, and everybody wants to play in the playoffs.

"I had the rest of the summer to rehab, and then it was just a matter of coming to training camp. You're a little rusty those first few games after a long layoff. Every game it's feeling better for me, and I'm knocking wood that everything will go well."

HOT AND COLD

There was plenty of security when the Flames hit the ice for the morning skate. That's because Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his son Ben attended. Harper, leader of Canada's Conservative Party, represents the Calgary Southwest Riding.

It was Election Day in Canada, so Harper left to do some campaigning before the Avalanche went on the ice.