Quote:
Originally Posted by MoneyGuy
He said the owners have told Feaster that the team must make the playoffs next season. Or else wasn't stated but that's what I infer from the comments. It sounds to me like his job may depend on it, but Francis didn't say that (while I was listening).
Francis said that you can pick one - rebuild or playoffs - but can't have both. Francis said that if the owners insist on being a playoff team then the rebuild will be significantly prolonged and could take years.
He also said that Kipper will almost 100% for sure not be back. He's retiring. His teammates know it (but I don't know if the fans do). He said Kipper wants to sit in Finland and fish for the rest of his life.
They talked about goalies, and Francis said it will likely be a competition between Joey McDonald, Romo and...I forget the other European goalie's name, but Francis said he's huge, about 6-5 or something. Francis didn't say it, but I inferred that he thinks there may be some potential there but perhaps it won't be a team strength next season.
That's all I heard. I was in my car. It ran on The Team 1260 about 1:30 today if anyone wants to listen to the recording on their website.
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Ah thanks.
Feaster said the playoff thing himself after the deadline trades, he told the media that Murray Edwards told him after blowing it up, that they still expect the team to be in the playoffs next year, despite tearing it down.
Sounded more like a "just because we tore it down doesn't mean we expect to lose" type of a statement, and not a "get us in playoffs next year, no matter what it takes or else your toast" type of statement.
Flames are not going to sacrifice the future in order to get into the post season next year. They are rebuilding, and are now a "collector of young assets, and want to become young asset rich" according to Ken King.
The other European goalie he mentioned would be Reto Berra, brought over in the JBo trade, and the Flames have already signed him to an ELC for next season. He's a 26 year old Swiss goalie who is 6'4 and has played the last several years in the Swiss league, one of the top goalies there......I don't expect much from him, nor do many other fans I'd wager, but maybe we'll be pleasantly surprised.