Quote:
Originally Posted by JayP
I agree. I just contend that the Flames as an organization have to scout these guys better or it's just a waste of time, money, and the opportunity cost of getting someone else in the line-up. The Flames shouldn't stop trying, but simply bringing over another extreme longshot and pray for a miracle is a negative to the organization in the end.
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Bringing over a longshot and praying for a miracle was stupidity and a disservice to a guy like Iginla. The team could have told Iginla to consider a trade in the offseason and the team would have gotten a higher return. But no, Feaster believed his additions were enough to compete for the playoffs and Iginla stayed.
To be fair, Cervenka was very much a known quality. He had been considered one of the best European UFAs for several years prior to coming over. There's obviously something there. But Feaster, Weisbrod, and whoever scouted Cervenka should have known that he's a winger and gauge his interest in having an NHL career, not just a trial run.
As I said in my previous posts, the biggest problem is that the Flames were seemingly relying on Cervenka to fill a role a top 2 center role, a role he was incapable of filling. You don't do that when the team is trying to compete for the playoffs. The Red Wings didn't rest their playoff hopes on Brunner being a top 6 winger or even an NHL player. The Ducks didn't rest their playoff hopes on Fasth being a #1 goalie. Those were good pickups. People who think that pencilling in Cervenka to be one of the team's top 2 centers instead of finding a real center didn't cost the Flames any games is kidding themselves. There's so much parity in this conference that you take away a team's 2nd line center and the team's record is going to suffer.