I honestly wonder if this is a calculated last hurrah for a very well respected executive known throughout the entire league. To do this in such a lightning rod fashion, they have potentially orchestrated a “ride out into the sunset” moment to ultimately assist the team to set up a next generation management structure as they move into the new building.
Having Conroy do these interviews would have turned the ire on him and candidly, what else would anyone in Flames management say at this point. It’s been well documented in this thread re: they can’t come out and say “we’re tanking, we’re terrible, etc.”, however with Maloney doing it and a subsequent parting of ways, there’s an easy and somewhat public rationale as to why he will be gone.
Apathy is setting in with the younger fan base and that is a horrible recipe as they transition into a new building with evolved amenities that should transform fan experience; I think the team knows that.
End of the day, for as much spew there is in this thread about ownership, etc., there are very intelligent business leaders at the top of the house and these chain of events (Dreger noise, Maloney interviews, random insider banter, etc) appears as a calculated corporate strategy.
And by the way, as an avid fan since the day they arrived here and a seasons ticket holder since 2001, I have never been more prepared to lean into a last place finish!
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