from Paul Friesen of the Winnipeg Sun,

For really the first time since buying the moribund Atlanta Thrashers and moving them lock, stock and Evander Kane to this Canadian prairie burg six years ago, the people in charge aren't ducking expectation.

Instead, they're almost embracing it.

From the new slogan inscribed on the team's interview backdrop – Rise Together – to the words of the team captain, the GM and even the man who shelled out a good portion of the $180-million franchise price tag, it's playoffs or bust.

Actually, check that.

It's time to not only play in the Stanley Cup tournament, but to win some rounds and contend for the damn mug.

The captain, Blake Wheeler, we heard from last week.

The normally evasive GM, fresh multi-year contract extension in his back pocket, let expectation into the front door, Wednesday.

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