Addition by Removal

[logan_izer10]

I just had some ideas flowing as of late and wanted to share. There has been no shortage of people's ideas as to why the Flames continue to fall short and wanted to add my 2 cents.

I'll start off by saying I think one aspect of becoming a winning team isn't necessarily just going out and obtaining great players, but I want to argue that removing below average players is just as important. To me it's the simplest math that exists. If you consider our "best" players a score of 1, our average as a "0" and our below average as a "-1" you can start to see what I'm thinking here. A bad player can affect a team as much as a star player.

Before you start flaming me (pun intended), I do acknowledge that building a winning team may be easier said than done, but the point I'm trying to communicate is that we need to put more attention to REMOVING the -1 players. It's a joke that the Flames' motto this year is "No excuses", yet we continue to make excuses as to why Comeau and Butler log as many minutes as they do. I think I saw Comeau fall under no pressure at least 3 times last game.

These are just my own little thoughts I had on my mind, don't be hatin'.

[dissentowner]

Ok, but how do you get rid of them? Nobody is taking a Blake Comeau.

[EVERLAST]

Blair Jones says hello

regardless of whether it was smart or not ...speculation was that he isnt a team player and that's why he was waived. Hartley really doesn't have allot of choices of who to play with the fact that his buddy upstairs isn't helping allot and that Murray Edwards isnt helping him.

[JazzyFlame]

Team needs to be conventional 2 scoring lines 2 grit lines

[clancy]

And replace them with what?

[logan_izer10]

again, not saying I have all the answers. But if these certain guys are only making your team worse. Waive them, trade them for low draft picks, ANYTHING. Replace them with AHL club guys. They're cheaper and if properly coached, can at the very least bring more potential than someone like Comeau. There are more options than we're accustomed to believe.

[kyuss275]

A 4th line winger and a bottom pairing D-man that goes in and out of the press box is the least of the flames problems.

I get that posters don't like Butler but they are fooling themselves if they think Smith, Sarich and Anton have played better than him. At best they have played the same.

[logan_izer10]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

A 4th line winger and a bottom pairing D-man that goes in and out of the press box is the least of the flames problems.

I get that posters don't like Butler but they are fooling themselves if they think Smith, Sarich and Anton have played better than him. At best they have played the same.

See, this is where I respectfully disagree. People continuously say this. But my belief is that this is where our problems begin.

Where you do you think our real problems lie?

Not trying to be a d-bag here, just wondering

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by logan_izer10

See, this is where I respectfully disagree. People continuously say this. But my belief is that this is where our problems begin.

Where you do you think our real problems lie?

Not trying to be a d-bag here, just wondering

Our captain does not show up for every game. Some of our key players do as the captain does.

[Joker]

String me up from the Calgary Tower and stone me, but i agree with what Rhett Warrener said about Iginla. That is a huge problem imo. How many coaches have failed to motivate this team now? The team gets out worked on a regular basis and it doesnt seem to bother the captain...Have to think that filters down to the rest of the team.

[Robo]

Not sure how to fix this team but Blake comeau seems to be the only player that gives a rats ass and I can see why we want to build off of players like him last night I saw Brodie get destroyed by a hit and comeau went after the guy that hit him and finished his check on him instead of just skatiNg down the ice not caring the fact that we continue to blame our bottom players is ridiculous

[dammage79]

I agree some removal is needed. Eight D men on one way contracts is bad enough when four of them cannot even manage to keep their 5/6 spots. heck move em all and acquire two that can at least hold the spots down. remove Comeau, Jackman and Begin. Replace with almost anyone. Jackman should have one sole purpose here and that is to intimidate guys. He doesnt even do that. At least TKO would try.

Begin, I like the story but the Flames have enough Vets they do not need some fourth line plug taking a roster spot from young guys like Jones. I do not care what anyone says Jones is an upgrade over the entire fourth line.

I you have no plans for these players going into next season, get them out now and develop some of the younger guys. Comeau has intensity but no talent to use it with. Decent PK player but by no means should ever be used above the fourth line no matter how bad injuries get. Gah. Remove is right.

[cral12]

The Habs might be a case in point.

Removal of Scott Gomez.

Having Andrei Markov back healthy is more likely the reason for their resurgence though.

[afc wimbledon]

What Feaster should do, but likely can't, is essentially ignore the on ice product completely and start to plan and put together a new team starting with Goal D and Centers, the peices in the present team that are young enough and talented enough should be kept everyone else should be looked at as a potential peice of a trade for the 5 year plan, Feaster needs to decide what kind of team will likely do well in 4 or 5 years, potential rule changes etc that favour big and tough or skilled and fast etc and then start building it.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by dammage79

I agree some removal is needed. Eight D men on one way contracts is bad enough when four of them cannot even manage to keep their 5/6 spots. heck move em all and acquire two that can at least hold the spots down. remove Comeau, Jackman and Begin. Replace with almost anyone. Jackman should have one sole purpose here and that is to intimidate guys. He doesnt even do that. At least TKO would try.

Begin, I like the story but the Flames have enough Vets they do not need some fourth line plug taking a roster spot from young guys like Jones. I do not care what anyone says Jones is an upgrade over the entire fourth line.

I you have no plans for these players going into next season, get them out now and develop some of the younger guys. Comeau has intensity but no talent to use it with. Decent PK player but by no means should ever be used above the fourth line no matter how bad injuries get. Gah. Remove is right.

Why does everyone have the notion that Jackman is only here to intimidate guys? Being a fighter/goon has never been his reputation, he has never been that type of player. His reputation is a guy who throws his body around alot in the time he plays every night, who on occasion will drop his gloves, a great team guy who isn't a liability on the ice. He was more effective when he was originally signed because he was used in that way and he wasn't the go to thug. Quite frankly this team could use a goon and someone who's reputation is to actually intimidate guys.

[1stLand]

Originally Posted by logan_izer10

I just had some ideas flowing as of late and wanted to share. There has been no shortage of people's ideas as to why the Flames continue to fall short and wanted to add my 2 cents.

I'll start off by saying I think one aspect of becoming a winning team isn't necessarily just going out and obtaining great players, but I want to argue that removing below average players is just as important. To me it's the simplest math that exists. If you consider our "best" players a score of 1, our average as a "0" and our below average as a "-1" you can start to see what I'm thinking here. A bad player can affect a team as much as a star player.

Before you start flaming me (pun intended), I do acknowledge that building a winning team may be easier said than done, but the point I'm trying to communicate is that we need to put more attention to REMOVING the -1 players. It's a joke that the Flames' motto this year is "No excuses", yet we continue to make excuses as to why Comeau and Butler log as many minutes as they do. I think I saw Comeau fall under no pressure at least 3 times last game.

These are just my own little thoughts I had on my mind, don't be hatin'.

You Spelt Iginla wrong

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by Alberta_Beef

Why does everyone have the notion that Jackman is only here to intimidate guys? Being a fighter/goon has never been his reputation, he has never been that type of player. His reputation is a guy who throws his body around alot in the time he plays every night, who on occasion will drop his gloves, a great team guy who isn't a liability on the ice. He was more effective when he was originally signed because he was used in that way and he wasn't the go to thug. Quite frankly this team could use a goon and someone who's reputation is to actually intimidate guys.

I wish people would read my posts correctly. Intimidation does not mean fighting. Hitting, getting in guys faces, mucking things up when they run a goalie over you know, grit. He Should be doing these things. Is he? sounds like he tries a couple games but hasn't been effective in that regard.

Not for arguements sake but how do you percieve Jackman on this team? Fourth line scorer?

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by dammage79

I wish people would read my posts correctly. Intimidation does not mean fighting. Hitting, getting in guys faces, mucking things up when they run a goalie over you know, grit. He Should be doing these things. Is he? sounds like he tries a couple games but hasn't been effective in that regard.

Not for arguements sake but how do you percieve Jackman on this team? Fourth line scorer?

I would never perceive a 4th liner to be a scorer. I think the term "crash and bang winger" is the most accurate description. I expect hard work, hitting and creating energy from him, which he does. Any points are a bonus IMO. I would also put Comeau in that same category. The problem is not the Flames 4th line wingers, I think those 2 players have been decent for us in their respective roles. Unfortunately 4th line players are often made out to be scapegoats.

When it comes to hitting I would like to point out that Jackman has been credited with 41 hits in 13 games. He ranks 22nd among forwards for hits while playing fewer games than anyone ahead of him.

[Sakari]

On a good (healthy/not ruined by Feaster) day, this is our lineup. (I marked the under average players, judging by their play NOW, or BEFORE INJURY)

FORWARDS
Jiri Hudler ($4.000m) / Mikael Backlund ($0.761m) / Roman Cervenka ($3.775m)
Alex Tanguay ($3.500m) / Mike Cammalleri ($6.000m) / Jarome Iginla ($7.000m)
Curtis Glencross ($2.550m) / Matt Stajan ($3.500m) / Lee Stempniak ($2.500m)
Sven Baertschi ($1.425m) / Roman Horak* / Tim Jackman* ($0.613m)
DEFENSEMEN
T.J. Brodie ($0.578m) / Dennis Wideman ($5.250m)
Jay Bouwmeester ($6.680m) / Mark Giordano ($4.020m)
Cory Sarich* ($2.000m) / Anton Babchuk* ($2.500m)
GOALTENDERS
Miikka Kiprusoff* ($5.833m)
Joey MacDonald
*under average play

Kiprusoff is the only player on this lineup likely to begin preforming at an above average level this season. MacDonald, IMO, is not an under average backup. I did not mark Baertschi as an under average player because judging by what we've seen from him he's been average, although his point totals do not reflect that. Macdonald seems pretty solid for a 5-7 games a year goalie. That leaves us with 4 players. Babchuk is a UFA this season, probably won't see him back for 13-14.

We really don't lack skill. We have to remember two potentially top forwards are out for us. Not to mention one of the worlds best goaltenders. There really are no excuses for losing two in a row at any point in the season especially not in the spot we're in, but I still think we'll improve when our roster is put back together. But obviously there's still room for improvement, especially down the middle.

Our problem, very SIMPLY put, is a lack of fire, leadership, and faceoff ability. I'd add goaltending to that list if I wasn't fairly certain Kipper will be good when he's back. Iginla does nothing more than add morale to the room. He needs to change that. Assuming he does, this is what I'd like to see happen to this team between now and next season.

FORWARDS
Jiri Hudler ($4.000m) / Ryan Getzlaf ($7.000m) / Roman Cervenka ($2.000m)
Alex Tanguay ($3.500m) / Mikael Backlund ($2.000m) / Jarome Iginla ($4.000m)
Mike Cammalleri ($6.000m) / Matt Stajan ($3.500m) / Curtis Glencross ($2.550m)
Sven Baertschi ($1.425m) / Boyd Gordon ($1.325m) / Lee Stempniak ($2.500m)
DEFENSEMEN
T.J. Brodie ($0.578m) / Dennis Wideman ($5.250m)
Mark Giordano ($4.020m) / Jay Bouwmeester ($6.680m)
Derek Smith ($0.775m) / Cory Sarich ($2.000m)
GOALTENDERS
Miikka Kiprusoff ($5.833m)
Joey MacDonald ($0.550m)

Re-signs are obvious, but, the ONLY changes made here are Ryan Getzlaf (ANA) being signed for 7 million a year, and Boyd Gordon (PHX) being signed for 1 million a year. All that does is give us a superstar first line center and a 4th line faceoff man. Puts everyone back at their natural positions and makes this team look EXTREMELY dangerous. I said I would like to see it happen. Never said it would.

[Itse]

This is silly. Why would any team NOT put better players on ice if they could, regardless of position?

Besides, Blake Comeau and Chris Butler play 10 and 15 minutes per game on average. That does not explain why for every ES goal Alex Tanguay has been a part of, he's been on ice for two goals against. That's a much bigger problem than what goes on when Comeau is on ice.

And Tanguay is one of the best we got. It's not his fault that he's not good enough to win us games.

The reason we are losing 2 games out of 3 is NOT because our bottom guys are not good enough. It's because the BEST lines we can ice on average lose their matchups.

There's your problem. Fix that and you fix the team. No voodoo, no rocket science. Our best lines are not good lines, and our best players are not that great.

Unfortunately, there's no easy way of fixing that. We don't have the resources, due largely to prolonged resource mismanagement. Which is something that I am not at all convinced that Feaster has been any better with. Veterans and UFA's should have been traded in the previous seasons, and he has kept on wasting picks. Not high picks and not a lot of picks, but he's still in the red there.