Today's speakers are Rollie Cyr, Craig Conroy and Geoff Ward. I think the host said there are 33 people listening in. Pretty neat.
Rollie is starting off, thanking Emergency Responders, and said thoughts are going out to people in Fort McMurray and Halifax.
Geoff and Craig both had intros. Connie's intro was about 56 times longer than Geoff's.
Geoff - talks to players once every 7-10 days, how's training, how's families
- sending players videos on how Flames play, motivational videos for their training
Connie - aside from Valimaki, haven't drafted a D in 3 years
- been busy signing D players from college
- Connor Mackie was offered a contract last year, almost left school, but it didn't work, Connie got him on the third try, big guy, moves well, sees the ice well
- Poolman, hard-working, tough
- Greg Morrow, went to Connie's school
- talked about a couple more guys but Connie talks pretty fast....
- Kinvill contract was rejected today, but they plan on straightening it out, 1 more year in Sweden, then coming over
- Dustin Wolf, signed yesterday, very exciting
- Emilio Petterson, thought about going back to college, had a great year
- Connie feels like Flames have hit a home run thus far
Geoff - liked how we were playing prior to The Pause, thought we were trending well, rounding into form for the end of the season, felt like defensive game was rounding in (except for the two 8 goal games at home - he actually said that... ha ha!)
Connie - Rollie asked him to expand on Dustin Wolf and his draft experience. People were worried about his size, Connie thought the Kings were going to take him, technically he's great, the explosion when Dustin was taken with the last pick gave Connie goosebumps, Dustin had tears in his eyes when he came around to shake hands, one of the best experiences Connie has had in any draft.
Geoff - Rollie asked how Geoff ended up in Calgary. He was happy in Jersey, broke a playoff drought, looked forward to building in Jersey, Peters got hired in CGY, Brad called Ray Shero to talk to Geoff to hire him, Ray told Geoff that he was the only guy the Flames wanted to talk to, Geoff and Bill talked at the World Championships, hung out after in North Carolina at Bill's place, Geoff liked Bill's philosophy, Geoff went back to the guys in Jersey and said he'd like to try the Calgary gig.
- Geoff makes his home here now, in Calgary. Glad the snow has stopped. Ha ha!
Connie - Rollie asked if he missed playing. Connie watched Game 7 against the Canucks with his girls, all the players started texting back-and-forth, got Connie's juices flowing, Rhett got it started, said it was fun texting with all his former teammates
Geoff - Rollie asked about Milan Lucic, Geoff compared him to Mark Rechhi in Boston when they won the Cup, leadership + experience + physical play, feels that Lucic could get back to scoring more if put in the right position, experienced player take their game to the next level post-trade deadline, figured Looch was reaching that, most people don't realize what Looch brings to the team, figures everyone is happy in the room with Lucic and the team would do it again.
- Rollie noted the fan passion for Lucic was obvious, and Lucic appreciates that. Looch likes when fans root for him, chant his name.
Connie - there's a year-end tournament where CSEC employees play a tournament, last year Connie got cheap-shotted by a cook and ended up chasing around the wrong guy (Kyle Cyr). Laughed about it, can't take the player out of the player.
Geoff - Rollie asked about Johnny's play. At The Pause, Johnny was just starting to score. Had a great year last year, hard to duplicate that, had early struggles, but was rounding into form, Johnny likes to score and wants to score, take pride in his game, when things weren't going well Johnny was all about the team, was willing to work through his issues, Johnny looked at his D game so that he could end up with the puck more, once Johnny put the frustration to bed he started to get better.
Connie - Rollie asked about Valimaki. Connie watched Valimaki on the ice, was impressed with his movement and skating, really coming along well, doctor said 9 to 10 months so is right on track, September comeback would be great, curious to see how he's feeling once The Pause is over, Connie wants to make sure he's 100% before coming back.
Geoff - Rollie asked about the players being off the ice for so long during The Pause. Geoff thinks he's going to have 5 weeks to get players to play, 2 weeks in small groups (gym, ice), then 3 week training camp, make 2 teams for training camp, still based on the League okaying it, want to play some games, important to have game play, wants to have enough players to play some games against each other, wants high pace and conditioning, goal is to be rest and ready, figures 5 weeks is enough.
Connie - asked about 2 D acquired at the Trade Deadline. Can we ever have too many D? Connie liked both guys, tough to come to a new team but both guys played well, recognized that Hamonic and Brodie are UFA this summer, Brad is talking to agents, Connie looking forward to the new guys playing more, both guys like being here.
Geoff - likes both guys, both bring something to the team, really important that both guys WANT to be here, PP and PK.
Geoff - asked about moving from Assoc Coach to Head Coach. Knew the players which is an advantage, easier transition, everything is a team environment, players are asked for their input, had to get used to running a bench again which was the biggest transition, Ward has never coached with any of these coaches before.
Should all rounds of the playoffs be 7 games?
Connie - yes, if there are 16 teams, should be 7 game series
Geoff - agrees 100%, had experience in the AHL with a short series and didn't like it as they fell behind early, nothing like 7 game series, better team will win, better for the fans
Will the KHL survive and what does that do for player competition.
Connie - NHL has been trying to get an agreement with the Russian but can't get it done, great players are over there, Flames are watching but KHL teams are locking players up, with no agreement can't do much, lots of intriguing players
Geoff - most of the revenue comes from sponsorship and tickets, pandemic may hurt that, if German League doesn't go next season some teams may go bankrupt.
Asked about Chris Snow.
Connie - just texted him today, he's doing great, using a drug from Toronto, went and got what he needed done, doesn't have to travel to TO once a month, can do it now in Calgary.
European players - are our guys skating.
Connie - Kylington has been skating from the get-go, not sure about other Swedes.
Geoff - all Euro players are skating, or have opportunity to skate, Tobias Reider went back to Germany and can't skate there
Any farm team updates.
Connie - mentioned some Heat players have had good seasons, very comfortable with the farm, lots of AHL players will get a chance.
Geoff - likes that Stockton guys are learning to be pros AND learning how to win.
Player development.
Connie - as soon as player is drafted they have a plan for the player, constantly in touch, are they following the plan, improving skating isn't fun but development camp is great for that, players like 23 or 19 are always working with skating coaches, not easy but necessary
Random comment - would Calgary switch Divisions with Seattle coming in? Connie says no way, looking forward to great rivalries.
Geoff - player development is the same in Calgary and Stockton, they use Player Performance Keys to measure development, lots of talk with players and coaches, don't want players to become stagnant, plan is to push players to advance and develop.
Connie - asked about 88, pleased with his game in the AHL, transition to the NHL was tough, 88 thought he was ready but found NHL to be tough, work ethic is great, one of last guys on the ice, always learning and working hard, asks how to get better, puts in the work, has done everything asked, has taken advantage of situations
Geoff - likes what 88 brings, extremely competitive, has a great work ethic, structure allows skill level to improve, can see confidence growing.
Asked both guys about personal routines.
Geoff - keeps a routine, does a morning workout, goes for run, spends time with his 4 kids and their online schooling, spends the afternoons on hockey, talk with coaches regularly, what will the training camp look like, review the games so far, scouted teams in our Division, looking at different playoff scenarios, lots of video, talking to players, watches Netflix and plays Scrabble at night.
Connie - getting ready for draft, Management calls, talks to scouts and agents, goes for a walk every day with wife and sometimes kids, college kids will tell him to keep it down, school is done now, getting ready for the draft and free agency.
Last question. Goalie evaluations.
Geoff - happy with goaltending, have had their highs and lows like all players, been able to use both guys, had both guys exactly where they wanted them with regards to games played, feel that goal is an area of strength for the team, doesn't think one guy can carry the mail, both goalies get along and push each other, both guys are healthy, nothing wrong with Rittich or Talbot health-wise, everyone is anxious to see what Wolf does, Jordan Sigalet is happy with goalie development
Connie - talking to Talbot, they love Calgary, loved Edmonton, like Alberta, not sure what's going to happen with Gillies but it hasn't worked out, he's a free agent not sure what's going to happen, Zagadullon has options in Russia so they're going to work on him, Parsons needs the net in Stockton, Scheneider in the East Coast has done well, goalies take longer to develop, pleased with our crop of goalies, can't wait to see how Rittich/Talbot play in the playoffs.
Game refunds - 8 games to play, no news to report, season ticket holders will likely get a refund or credit for next year.
Last words -
Geoff - thanks for tuning it, enjoyed it, stay safe and healthy.
Connie - someone asked about his favourite number and it's 22. That's his favourite. Also thanked the fans.
We were on for an hour. I thought about going back to proof-read this, but I'm too tired. Ha ha! I'm sure I spelled some player names wrong, but you'll get the gist of it.
Very neat opportunity to listen in! I recommend if you're a season ticket holder to reach out to your Account Manager and ask how to get on the invite list.