[Finger Cookin]

I've got a light morning, I will summarize his comments in this post. Check back for edits as the hour progresses.

8:18 AM - no mention of King or when/if he will be available

FIRST SEGMENT (~8:25 AM)
- Off-season training (Boomer and Rhett were musing about this earlier in the hour). NHL needs to catch up with other leagues on specific training for players (ex. biking does not have benefits for hockey, tightens the hips). Needs to be better communication between team trainers and offseason trainers used by players. King agrees with a lot of this
- Busy time of year for him with football in progress, hockey starting up
- Really pleased with Burke and Treliving pair, think it's one of the best in hockey
- Discussed recruiting Burke. Burke is happy here, happy with the structure, wants this to be his last hockey job, King wants that job to last a long time
- Lots of fluffy "What is Burke really like?" sleepover chitter-chatter questions from Boomer and Rhett. King describes Burke as a partner, and professional.
- Asked about Treliving and his drive, given that he doesn't have to due to family connections. King said Brad is self-made, has a constant work ethic, and King takes pride in assembling structure where Treliving has Burke and assistant GMs to collaborate with on decisions. Described similar structure in Stamps

Second segment coming up, including hard hitting discussion about riding horses with Glencross.

SECOND SEGMENT (~8:46 AM)
- Ken King like the Guns and Roses music at the beginning of each segment
- Calls the arena project "extraordinarily ambitious, and beyond just an arena"
- Calls running the business of the teams and managing the business affairs well as being "behind the curtain", supporting individual teams to focus on the team affairs and succeeding
- First drawings on building project are from 2007
- When we come forward soon, the financial structure will make sense to people, involve lots of equity from ownership
- Imagine what could take place with McMahon winding down and Saddledome needing to be replaced. Looking for a dramatic, collective efficiency, that will be one of the best projects in this city for the next 50 years "if they pull it off"
- Talked a bit about the NFL charges. Feels bad that everyone is publicly calling out Goodell with the benefit of hindsight, but supports King's comments on how a similar situation would be handled by this organization
- Sticking around for a bit past 9:00 AM (horseback riding with Glencross teased again!)

THIRD SEGMENT (~9:05 AM)
- Teams are community assets that are privately owned, but owners take community obligations seriously
- Thoughts about the new broadcast crew - how tough was the switch? Nov 18 game will include a tribute to Maher. A selfless guy. Derek will be great, please go easy on him Rhett and Boomer. Consulted with Rogers on their TV short list.
- Horseback with Glencross! This was during discussions regarding his last contract. King calls story overblown. Wanted to emphasize with Glencross that org was loyal and here for him regardless of his decision. Has evolved into its own weird mythology.
- Asked about his peaks and valleys here over 15 years, or unexpected things he can chuckle about now. He teared up at his first exhibition game in his tenure. He's been liberally accused of meddling in hockey decisions, which he denies. Joked that it's "Not that he wasn't tempted" - but in seriousness, such actions just don't fit ith the ethics of the organization.
- Fondly recalled 2004, and how narrowly it happened (jersey on the ice against Vancouver, etc.), and the Red Mile
- Sad parts like trades and firings take a toll
- People in Calgary are awesome, the city has a great reputation and fan support, and it makes him very proud
- Asked about buzz around this team heading into this season, first time since the lockout. King agrees, new spirit and feeling surrounding the Flames right now. Want to contribute to city pride and renaissance of spirit