[News Roundup] New Hartley interview - candid and his thoughts on the rebuild

[Mango]

George Johnson did a really great job on this piece, especially the part about Dan Snyder's passing while Hartley was coaching in Atlanta.

It's worth a read:

http://www.calgaryherald.com/sports/...698/story.html

[EVERLAST]

Glad he's here.....want him to get a fair deal and teach the young men who play here everything about his own philosophy....this game will give you everything you ever wanted....you will owe it.....not the other way around.

[Matty81]

Johnson has done a good job covering the Flames this year. He has been frank about where the organization is at and critical of management which they deserve but can't be the easy road to take when your career depends on relationships with them.

[Table 5]

His results on the ice can be debated, but its really hard not to like Hartley as a person.

[Erick Estrada]

I like Hartley. He seems like a genuinely nice guy. He really needs to install some sort of defensive system next season though as it's been a disaster this season.

[PeteLFan]

It's hard to hate the person bob is. He's genuinely a great person. He's brought a positive vibe to this organization, but his systems are not working and he's been out coached a lot. Hopefully that changes going forward, or it was the fact we have a older group that just couldn't match up.

[schteve_d]

Well he certainly seems to have the right attitude for what could be a very frustrating time for himself and the young guys coming up. We need some young folk to develop some confidence under what are sure to be trying times. I think I like the idea of his approach better than say an Iron Mike one.

We'll see.

[sa226]

Feaster and King seem to be the poster boys for everything that is wrong with the flames. Deserved or not. What gets overlooked is the number of real quality hockey people in this organization. Hartley is one of them.

[Hustle]

Can't argue with Hartley's perspective on things. As much as a disaster as this season has been, I do like the fact that he's brought a positive attitude to the club. It really seemed like there was a cloud over both Sutter's reign with these guys not enjoying the game enough.

That said, the defensive play this year has been godawful. I could get behind Hartley staying on as a head coach being more of a motivator and then bringing on a 'systems' guy teaching the kids how to play the NHL game.

[T@T]

Not to nitpick Johnson but:

For balance, for a sense of proportion, he needs do nothing more than remember back to Sept. 29th, 2003, the day Atlanta Thrashers’ defenceman Dan Snyder was critically injured after his Ferrari 360 Modena, being driven by his friend and teammate Dany Heatley, crashed into a brick pillar and iron fence.

I believe it was Heatleys Ferrari and Dan Snyder was a forward.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by sa226

Feaster and King seem to be the poster boys for everything that is wrong with the flames. Deserved or not. What gets overlooked is the number of real quality hockey people in this organization. Hartley is one of them.

King and Feaster also get criticized for not seeing a rebuild coming, but it was pretty clear from this interview that going into this season it had been decided that they would give it the ole college try and if that didn't work they would tear things down.

[PlayfulGenius]

Originally Posted by Alberta_Beef

King and Feaster also get criticized for not seeing a rebuild coming, but it was pretty clear from this interview that going into this season it had been decided that they would give it the ole college try and if that didn't work they would tear things down.

I say it's still warranted...rebuild is a minimum of 2 years late. I'm very glad it's happening, though, do I am grateful they eventually got around to it.

[T@T]

Originally Posted by PlayfulGenius

I say it's still warranted...rebuild is a minimum of 2 years late. I'm very glad it's happening, though, do I am grateful they eventually got around to it.

Not sure how this is Feasters fault, King maybe as he listened to Sutter but ultimately I put the blame on the ownership.

[redforever]

Great read...thx for posting.

[Freeway]

Georgie's good people.

[icarus]

It's funny to think back a decade or so ago, when Hartley coached the world-beating Avalanche and the Flames would have killed to have had a coach of his ilk at the helm. Now the Flames are worse then they were then (not because of Hartley) and he seems to be as dedicated to the job in Calgary as ever. Whether he's the right man for the job or not is debateable but he does have his head screwed on straight.

[FAN]

Originally Posted by Alberta_Beef

King and Feaster also get criticized for not seeing a rebuild coming, but it was pretty clear from this interview that going into this season it had been decided that they would give it the ole college try and if that didn't work they would tear things down.

Maybe Hartley is just covering for Feaster. Hartley chose to come to Calgary over Montreal in part because Montreal was clearly rebuilding and the Flames were not. But maybe Hartley doesn't see the rebuild as not contending for the Stanley Cup, afterall, Hartley promised he would make sure that the Flames would be a top team in the NHL and he believes that "the difference between a Stanley Cup winner and a non-playoff team is very, very slim."

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by PlayfulGenius

I say it's still warranted...rebuild is a minimum of 2 years late. I'm very glad it's happening, though, do I am grateful they eventually got around to it.

No team sells all their players when they are a borderline playoff team. No one. Rebuilding is not a choice teams make, it's a decision forced upon them. I am so sick and tired of hearing how it should have happened 2 years ago, because quite frankly selling off your stars 1 year removed from the playoffs would be complete stupidity and would completely tarnish the reputation of your franchise.

Originally Posted by FAN

Maybe Hartley is just covering for Feaster. Hartley chose to come to Calgary over Montreal in part because Montreal was clearly rebuilding and the Flames were not. But maybe Hartley doesn't see the rebuild as not contending for the Stanley Cup, afterall, Hartley promised he would make sure that the Flames would be a top team in the NHL and he believes that "the difference between a Stanley Cup winner and a non-playoff team is very, very slim."

I am guessing you typed that wearing your tinfoil hat.

[JohnnyB]

Couldn't dislike the guy after reading that. He certainly has the type of attitude I'd want on any team I was in charge of.

[Alberta_Beef]

I have to admit hearing that he still wearing Snyder's watch strap for every game since made me a little misty eyed.