[Stealth22]

Coles notes:

- Apologized for the delay
- Captains: Gio (obviously) with the C, Mony and Brouwer get the A's
- Excited and proud to have Johnny signed, lots of time before the season starts
- He's glad to not have to answer "When is Johnny signing?" anymore
- Opening roster will be announced, "working through some things this morning and this afternoon"
- Re: the roster -- "Decisions to be made" in the next few hours
- Got a deal for Johnny that works for everyone...the calendar played a role in getting it done
- Unique situation...player who is an important part of the team, but also need to make it fit in terms of the overall picture
- Always noise/questions around a deal like this; calendar taking days away from you; you look at alternatives if he is not here, or maybe a bridge to just get him here
- Lots of discussions, met face to face with his agent; he and Brian met with the family the next night
- Got a special piece of our team in the dressing room today; better team today than yesterday; coaches got to meet him for the first time; players excited to have him back; lots of work to do, can't just say "Ok, Johnny's here, lets put our feet up and relax"
- Still trying to find ways to make the team better; can't wait to get going
- Aim is to make the playoffs; it is difficult, but that is the expectation
- Part of what you try to communicate (especially with younger players) is that this is the business side of the game, and it's not the fun part; it's not to try to downplay the player's importance or work. But it's about finding what works for the player and the team, and in a cap system, there is only so much to go around
- Johnny has financial security going forward, but he's got it in a way that gives the team some flexibility; shows how much he wants to be here
- He is being compensated for who he is, and how they think he can play. He just needs to go out and play his game, and not worry about being pressured to contribute. There is responsibility, but the contract should not be a noose. Just go out and do your thing, and he thinks Johnny will go out and do just that.
- When asked about Johnny at 29, said "I'll enjoy this one for a couple days, then worry about the next one!"
- Asked about Gio cap: Have to get your own house in order in terms of your financial structure; we think highly of Mark, but its more about your internal structure, and coming up with numbers that work for everyone. Likes the staggering of Johnny and Mony, not up for renewal at the same time.
- Can never have too much [cap] flexibility. Smid has been talked about...LTIR comes with its own set of circumstances. Will see how the cap sorts itself out over the next couple days.
- Not as easy as "put a guy on LTI" and get rid of his cap hit; could talk for 3 days and bore us with how it works; affects lots of things in terms of dollars and recalls; but it does give you some flexibility
- When he came back from NJ, wished he was coming back with us, but still had lots of time ("a week is an eternity in this game"), and felt that they would get something done
- Tkachuk will start the season with the Flames; has earned the right to start. Game by game, no number in mind