Bonavista native and Calgary defenceman Adam Pardy has agreed to a two-year, $1.4 million contract with the Flames. — File photo

While the Flames' signing of defenceman Jay Bouwmeester is garnering the most headlines in Calgary over the last couple of days, the team's inking Bonavista native and fellow rearguard Adam Pardy won't go unnoticed.

On Wednesday, the first day of NHL free agency, he Flames and Pardy agreed to a two-year deal that will see the dependable rearguard earn $700,000 a season, a tidy pay raise from $505,000 he earned in his rookie season, which saw him record 10 points and a respectable plus-3 rating in 60 games.

Pardy - who was a Group 6 unrestricted free agent - says his new deal is about on par with what he might have got on the open market, but admits he "never thought about leaving just for more money."

"Having only played 60 games in the league, I think it was the best decision to not worry about money.

"At this point in my career, I need to be in a place where I can have the opportunity to play with some great d-men. It's the place that fits me best, a place where I can get better as a player."

Coming off his most successful season since turning pro four years ago, the 24-year-old Pardy is well aware it's going to take another consistent season of constantly trying to improve.

Pardy is not ready rest on his laurels now that's proven he can skate in the show.

"You hear around the league that the second year in the league is always the toughest. I think a lot of guys in their second year are like 'I've already played one year, now it's going to be a little easier,'" he says.

"But you have to recognize that it doesn't get any easier and you gotta keep getting better if you want to be an impact player in the league."

Despite Calgary's limited cap space, the club will hit the ice next season with a refreshed lineup and certainly, with the naming of Brent Sutter as new head coach, a whole new modus operandi. And that's only good for the club as far as Pardy is concerned.

"A younger coach will probably be a little more structured with a little more system play and more in touch with the new game. You look at his record in junior, then with the Canadian (junior) team, and with (New) Jersey the last couple of years, he's a winning coach. A lot of guys are excited about that and about the fresh start."

koliver@thetelegram.com