Bit surprised he made fun of Stajan so bluntly and openly like that. Kind of funny. Wonder what Matt will think.
I am surprised also. I still don't think he is tradeable, and now he has to hear this going into camp next year. Hopefully more motivation. Probably should have kept those comments to himself.
Ken King said they'll be ready to make an announcement of some kind in the next few months. They're still at the preliminary stages.
Someone asked if the Flames wanted to make a joint Hockey/Football arena, and King said while they've seen a concept drawing with two venues on it, it's not in the cards now.
I am surprised also. I still don't think he is tradeable, and now he has to hear this going into camp next year. Hopefully more motivation. Probably should have kept those comments to himself.
Come on, the guy has to know by now that nobody in Calgary wants him here.
Feaster seamed to want to make change, seemed frustrated with the team on the ice.
Interesting point - Iginla got heavily criticized by someone and neither Feaster or Ken King defended him. They did not really say anything about him - it was a 2 part question so maybe they forgot but this guy gave about a 2 minute rant on Iginla and they said nothing. Makes me wonder.
Come on, the guy has to know by now that nobody in Calgary wants him here.
Dissentower likes him. That's at least one. I am sure there are others. I think he is a capable 2b/3a center.
Even so the GM needs to stand behind his players. If he is saying these things in a forum to the public, just imagine what he will tell the new coach. I already stated that i doubt they can move Stajan, so at least give him a chance with the new coach.
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Feaster seamed to want to make change, seemed frustrated with the team on the ice.
Interesting point - Iginla got heavily criticized by someone and neither Feaster or Ken King defended him. They did not really say anything about him - it was a 2 part question so maybe they forgot but this guy gave about a 2 minute rant on Iginla and they said nothing. Makes me wonder.
- Ken said right off the top that he couldn`t talk about the CBA negotiations. If he did, he`d face a one million dollar fine.
- During his opening statement, he asked who was there from CalgaryPuck. Nobody put up their hand, so he said that whoever decided to post on CP after the event, please represent what was said truthfully.
Kinger, if you read this, hopefully we`ve represented you truthfully.
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I really hate some of the comments Feaster has used about present and former players - the Stajan remark and the 'broken down' Modin comment for instance. Just makes it seem 'low class' to me.
I guess there really wasn't too much to discuss at this time of the year. Was there any word on how many candidates for the coaching job there are? I wonder how many names they have crossed out thus far from their original list.
As usual this is completely off the top of my head with no notes so take it as such. Anything assumed or taken out of context is on you. Anyone else who attended please correct me where necessary. Many of these overlap the contributions already made by Rubber Ducky, Flames2007FIRE IT UP, Iceman90, Rhettzky, ComixZone
• Ken, as always, started off with the “which of you is the Calgary Puck poster?” question, to which everyone, as always, awkwardly looks at each other. Hi Ken!
• Ken King started by reiterating over and over that he and the owners do not meddle beyond grilling Jay Feaster on the logic behind moves, and ensuring Jay explored all options. Jay supported Ken on this, saying that while they don’t interfere or prevent moves, they certainly don’t allow him to make moves without thoroughly thinking things through.
• A fan who is clearly a strong proponent of advanced statistics started asking about the Flames’ use of them but his question turned into more of lecture where he was actually throwing out advanced statistic numbers of Backlund, the Flames’ and Canucks’ top lines together, etc. to Jay It got to the point you could see most in attendance were hoping he would just get on with it, but he kept going passionately. One of the more bizarre “questions” I’ve seen at these sessions over the years. Jay basically responded that every NHL team is aware of them and uses them and the Flames have staff members versed in them. He did however mention that the new coach must be one who embraces them and uses them.
• Jay mentioned that when Brent came on board they had a 90 minute meeting over the use of Stajan and Backlund – Brent wanting to use Backlund more heavily than he had been and possibly even healthying Stajan – and Jay saying he was shocked Brent was even approaching him about it as he’s the manager not the coach. Jay mentioned that he told Brent could play players however he liked, which Brent seemed unsure about. I personally took that as alluding to Darryl Sutter wanting Stajan, and certain players, played more than Brent wanted – read into it as you will. Ken also added in a comment about Darryl being a much better coach than GM.
• Jay was embarrassed with the Flames’ faceoff ability and powerplay this season, and one of the main focuses of their interview process with the prospective coaches is how they will run the powerplay, with emphasis placed on entering the zone. Jay also mentioned that the Flames’ defenceman have horrible shots from the blue line and most of them frequently miss the net even in practice. Jay will be looking at them to improve in this aspect, as well as shooting for tips in traffic better, even though the Flames don’t really have a player who is skilled in that aspect.
• Jay was also really disappointed in the team’s shootout performances this year. He did, however, state that the yelling match between him and Brent in Minnesota was not about the shooters chosen as he supported a change. I took this as meaning in general, not shootout-specific, but Jay followed up by saying he believes the Flames need to use more video in their planning and it’s something the coaching candidates are being asked about in interviews.
• Jay held nothing back talking about how Stajan is a terrible contract, even going so far as to say that Stajan isn’t his contract. He did however admit that he will eventually have a Stajan-eque contract on his record as it happens.
• Jay acknowledged that Kiprusoff is probably the most important player and that without him they would no question be picking 1st-overall pending lottery results. Jay mentioned that the Flames think Ramo is an NHL-ready backup right now but he has another year left on his KHL contract.
• Jay mentioned that some managers focus largely on size to the extent it’s detrimental. He mentioned that in Tampa they had a period of drafting huge players who could skate but had no will to win, which advanced stats will never tell you. Said that the toughest player on the team who was willing to sacrifice everything to win was the smallest player – St. Loius. He also mentioned this in regard to Pelech, saying that in his time here not one GM ever showed an interest in Pelech even though he was drafted for his size, yet he’s already had substantial interest in Gaudrea in less than a year. On the previous note, Jay mentioned that the two players on the Flames who were willing to sacrifice anything to win were Giordano and Sarich.
• Jay said that once again this year the Flames are ranking 210 players for the draft and drafting their list in order regardless of anything. He mentioned that of the players at the combine (top 100 by one of the rankings) the Flames are interviewing 51 of them. Todd Button thinks this year’s draft is a weak one and the Flames would be better served adding draft picks for next year’s draft – which he thinks is very strong and deep – in any transactions. The Flames wouldn’t say no to moving up in this year’s draft, but it’s unlikely as there is a few players they would be happy to take at 14, and there is one player they think could be the best player in the draft long-term who may be available then.
• Ken mentioned that arena news will be coming in the next few months – which has been said at the last few sessions – but that nothing was set in stone right now. Mentioned they had looked at drawings of a football stadium and arena in the same vicinity in a certain spot (undisclosed) in Calgary but it was nothing too serious. He got asked about adding an MLB team to Calgary, and the stadium in the area, and he pretty much shot it down.
• Ken said the Flames joining with the other teams in the city is great for business and only makes sense. I can’t remember exactly the words he used as I didn’t hear them clearly, but I basically took it as having people the same stuff on the business side for all teams instead of each team having their own is just efficient. Someone please correct this if I’m wrong.
• Feaster mentioned that hockey operations noticed that the Flames played worse when the big guns were healthy; in fact they had a losing record. Jay attributed this to the team’s poor psychological preparation and said it’s something they are looking in to, as well as having the mental side of the game as a large part of their interview process for the head coach position. Jay singled out that he saw a revived energy in the dressing room when Sven got called up and said that pointed to the mental part – everyone channeling the excitement for Sven and memories of their first game and putting it into their performance.
• Jay was asked about the lack of deadline moves and once again said they had targeted a few players and had come close to making a couple moves but nothing panned out. He specified that they had one deal set up until the final minutes of the trade period when the other team changed their mind. Mentioned that weeks of work goes into trades and sometimes the other team just doesn’t have what you want or vice versa. Ken stepped in and said that like the CIA, if a trade never happens, they won’t acknowledge considering it (half joking).
• Jay was asked what the team is doing going forward, rebuilding or trying to win. Jay says the Flames believe they are doing both but it’s more than a one year process. Mentioned things like the Bourque trade improving the team, but that deals aren’t always available right that moment. Said again he isn’t interested in losing for three years in a row to get the first pick at the draft.
• Jay mentioned that his staff couldn't understand how Comeau went from 24 goals the previous season to his performance this season. They went back and watched every goal of Comeau's from the previous year and they were mainly garbage goals or shot very close to the net. Mentioned that Comeau did not play like that and should have been firing the puck on net and looking for rebounds or battling in front instead of trying to make fancy plays. He added on to this point by saying he was as frustrated as the fans with how often the Flames missed the net.
__________________
Steven Gerrard - Messi can do some amazing things, but anything he can do Joe Cole can do as well, if not better.
Cole - 523 app, 68 g, 47 a
Messi - 374 app, 310 g, 117 a
Last edited by united; 05-30-2012 at 11:47 PM.
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Have to agree about Gio and Sarich down the stretch, those guys were clearly giving it their all. Would like to see Sarich back for a Hannan-type contract if he's interested.
Interesting. Jay said some things virtually identical to Craig Button in his TSN.ca web chats
Quote:
Originally Posted by Craig Button
The vast majority of mistakes made in the draft are due to size. Either too much emphasis on the bigger player or not enough for the smaller player.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Craig Button
I think Mark [Jankowski] has so much more room to grow as a player & as I have watched him, I have not seen anything that makes me believe that he isn't a very good NHL prospect and I will say it now, he may be as good a player in time as any in the draft.
obviously, I'm suggesting Jay is talking about Jankowski
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