Quote:
Originally Posted by curves2000
One thing that hasn't been said is the atmosphere around the Dome probably isn't as light as it was last season.
If anyone remembers any of the media coverage before the start of the season it was all about "preventing regression" there was SOOOOOOO much of that talk coming from coaching staff, management and the media that I can't imagine how it must have been in he room for the players.
I am not advocating that we shouldn't be fighting for a playoff spot but the fact of the matter is that our biggest contributors on this team are mostly very very young players who are learning to be NHL regulars. Maybe the pressure didn't help at the beginning but I suspect the pressure to win and get into a playoff spot started with ownership.
The Flames ownership group is made owners who have made their fortunes in the energy industry, this business is suffering tremendously at the moment. Given the reduced attendance, merchandise and concession sales that has been occurring at the Dome along with the vastly increased cost of player and coaching expenses, travel costs and per diem expenses, its no wonder that ownership is hammering down most likely to get into a playoff spot.
I know I hear a lot about specific players and potential trades and all these hypothetical scenarios of "retained salary" Given how Mr. Murrary Edwards runs his energy companies (Canadian Natural Resources and Ensign Energy Services) they have I believe been two of the few companies that have not yet had mass layoffs in this downturn. I know for a fact that at CNQ they have given the vast majority of their staff a 10% salary cut. I truly believe this man's personal mantra from building these businesses is "if you don't work for me, I am not paying you" I doubt he was going to waste tens of millions of dollars on severances packages for employee's who aren't in his office daily.
Some owners are just different in their line of thinking. If you look at the Flyers they seem to retain salary and issue both compliance buyouts and regular buyouts to everybody under the sun just in order to get out of salary cap hell.
I just think the pressure all around the Dome has been kicked up a few degree's for both monetary reasons and increased expectations. Some fans may choose to disagree with me which is fine. Its easy to say "long term planning" or "we are still rebuilding" etc when it comes to landing playoff dates when its not YOUR multi million dollar business that is going to suffer the financial consequences.
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Not sure what there is to disagree with when I'm not sure what you're saying. Are you implying Murray Edwards is demanding playoffs at all costs? Because if so, well it's possible. Flames ownership does have a history of doing this, but they backed off under Feaster. He will be asking why the team spent more on payroll to be less competitive.