Quote:
Originally Posted by Itse
Not available in my region. Coles notes?
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Off the top of my head:
- The organization is happy with last year's results, but those results don't do anything for them this year
- Recognized that the ways they succeeded last year may not be repeatable, so improvement was needed. Both from people already in the organization, and by bringing in people from outside the organization
- Advanced stats are the results of what happened, they don't dictate what to do
- Areas of improvement need to include holding on to the puck more, spending less time in the defensive zone, and more time in the offensive zone. This can be addressed by internal improvement, new personal, and possible changes in playing style
- Expectations around the league and in the press may have increased from last year, but internally the expectations have remained high. Not a lot of time spent congratulating each other on last season's results, as the Flames didn't finish where they wanted to. You acknowledge the success, then look at how to improve
- Really likes the defensive group, and also much happier with overall defensive depth as opposed to 12 months ago or even six or seven months ago
- Bennett will start camp at centre, and the plan is to play him at his natural position as much as possible. No sense delaying his development in such a key position. Depth at the position means he won't be thrown in the deep end, and can be used in the right opportunities for him to succeed and develop
- Named Poirier, Arnold, and Shore as players who could be knocking on the door for NHL jobs. Camp will go a long way determining whether they take jobs, or if the Flames can look at making room for anyone else
- Having too many options is never a bad thing, it's when you have too few options that you start to worry
- Hiller and Ramo are two goalies that each give the team a chance to win every night, it's up to Hartley to determine how best to use them
- If Ortio makes the case to have an NHL job, that gives the Flames options
- "We'll see" with regards to contract extensions for Monahan and Gaudreau being done during the season or next offseason; acknowledges that the money will be there for players who perform, but right now the focus for both players is to come to camp and improve on their prior performances
- Not able to share his response with the Oilers winning the McDavid sweepstakes as Bob is on a family show; but the reality is he's on the Oilers, and playing against talented players makes everyone on the Flames need to improve and measure themselves against better competition
- Forecasts for next season's cap will be sobering for teams compared to where the 15-16 cap was forecast last season
- Having to calculate your cap space is only a problem if you have the right players; when you have the right players who put you in that situation, it's a lot of work to make everything fit, but it's better than not having the problem
Generally, the themes from the interview are that improvements and step forwards are expected from everyone in the organization: players, coaches, management. This isn't supposed to be easy, it's supposed to be hard. I really get the sense that he enjoys the challenges. As has been made clear in his tenure here, Treliving values flexibility and relishes having to make hard decisions that will benefit and improve the organization.
I may have glossed over or missed some points, I'll see if this is on youtube and you can see if it's also geolocked there. It's really a fantastic interview, and well worth the watch.