I feel very relaxed knowing that Conroy has his finger on the pulse of the team right now. Every move he has made was with an eye to the future. He has specifically brought up Gaudreau, and stated that it was a mistake allowing him to go to market and then walking away for free.
I am just not worried. I don't know if this team is going to do a significant retool (or in other words, a rebuild, but not a scorched-earth type), or if he is simply moving the upcoming UFAs and leaving it at that.
I would just be extremely surprised if Lindholm, Tanev and Hanifin are all both unsigned and still Calgary Flames beyond the deadline. No amount of "Murray Edwards" this or ownership group that is going to worry me. I simply believe Conroy and what he has stated so far in every media availability.
Also, how many millions does the ownership group make per playoff game? That would give them 2 games, barring an upset (assuming they come in somewhere between the 8th and 6th seed, which is generous). How many millions can this ownership group save by selling Lindholm, Tanev and Hanifin, plus making more futures-based deals? Probably more, right?
We have also heard from Conroy that this team is willing to retain on contracts - if the price is right (which in Zadorov's case, wasn't). He also stated during that very same interview that the cap space was crucial (which is why he declined the poor offers with retention) citing that the Flames are also willing to work as middle-men to retain salary on deals between two teams.
This doesn't sound like a team that is citing playoff revenue as critical, so I am not buying into any "Murray Edwards won't let" scenarios. I would be very surprised if Conroy doesn't have the autonomy to make his own decisions and set his own direction, plus he has Maloney, Pascal, Nonis and Iginla to advise him.
If it ends up happening, I will choose to freak out about it then. No point in freaking out about it now, as it will just get in the way of my excitement with what Conroy is going to do.
|