We are still at least 5 years away from the Flames ultimatum. The goal over the next 5 years is to build fear. They are doing a much better job of that now. All of the posturing leads to the public being in their favour as the fear gets ratcheted up. The public message is the Flames aren't negotiating but if the city wants to change the offer than they will sit down and until then they will do their best to turn a profit and ice a competitive team.
That messaging is perfect in this interim phase between pressure points. The next pressure point is the Olympic decision which would put the flames in a position to be a partner. Until an Olympic decisions there is no point in any negotiations. After the Olympic decision is made assuming we don't bid we will see pressure ramping up in the period before the election starts to take one last shot at influencing council.
If that new council in 2021 is not Arena friendly the Flames will move.
Until then we will get a steady trickle of fear lingering out of the the controlled media.
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