Huska Interview

[Goriders]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15ksIkleGpQ

Hopefully the link works. He was on Rod Pedersen’s show today.

[genetic_phreek]

Originally Posted by Goriders

Hopefully the link works. He was on Rod Pedersen’s show today.

Fixed

[Goriders]

Sounds like Backlund was a big proponent of Huska. Hopefully that pays dividends.

Lots to say about Huberdeau too.

Huska is very well spoken. I hope he does well.

[Goriders]

Originally Posted by genetic_phreek

Fixed

Thanks

[Niemo]

The most important note I got out of that was that Huska expects a lot of players to want to resign once the season starts and they get to experience the new ways. I think this means the only player (with value) that MIGHT be dealt before the season starts is Hanifin.

[browna]

Originally Posted by Niemo

The most important note I got out of that was that Huska expects a lot of players to want to resign once the season starts and they get to experience the new ways. I think this means the only player (with value) that MIGHT be dealt before the season starts is Hanifin.

I still think it was a mistake/grandstanding by the Flames to be so public/not asking the agents to keep it quiet, in pushing and then allowing the revealing the wishes of players so soon after the season.

Sure, you can ask the players and agents what their thoughts are, and be firm that the Flames only want players ready to commit, but quietly would've been just fine and caused a lot less strife.

When any team changes the coach and GM and the team didn't meet expectations last year, it's only natural for some players, especially pending UFAs the next season to be non committal in April or May. The fact that that was then broadcast publicly was a mistake IMO, becuase it set off negative vibes and PR. Players around the league all evaluate their futures post season, especially pending UFAs, and over the course of the summer their minds may change from their raw thoughts after being eliminated. The Flames pushed that question early and then players had to give an answer without the usual benefit of time to think in the summer.

I'm all for players wishing to be here, or move on if not, but using the media to pressure out an answer in May for July the following year doesn't make sense.

If they took a more tactful approach, the Toffolli trade still would've happened. Maybe other ones would've gotten done, with the Flames in a better position to negotiate without the exposed public knowledge Backlund for example wants out. The players like Lindholm, Backlund, Hanifin and Zadorov wouldnt have had the chatter around them as they have this year, no more so than any other pending FA around the league.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by Niemo

Huska expects a lot of players to want to resign

Resign or re-sign? This is one case where the hyphen is extremely important.

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by browna

I still think it was a mistake/grandstanding by the Flames to be so public/not asking the agents to keep it quiet, in pushing and then allowing the revealing the wishes of players so soon after the season.

If they took a more tactful approach, the Toffolli trade still would've happened. Maybe other ones would've gotten done, with the Flames in a better position to negotiate without the exposed public knowledge Backlund for example wants out. The players like Lindholm, Backlund, Hanifin and Zadorov wouldnt have had the chatter around them as they have this year, no more so than any other pending FA around the league.

I’m sure the Flames would have loved it to be hush hush on who wants out and who wants to stay but it’s an agents job to work for their clients best interest and garner as much interest as possible for the next contract. I guarantee all those leaks came from the players sides.
Trade market sucked this off-season. Flames were unlucky and hit a dud. Players dumped with retention for cheap and multiple players bought out giving teams cheap short term options.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Niemo

The most important note I got out of that was that Huska expects a lot of players to want to resign once the season starts and they get to experience the new ways. I think this means the only player (with value) that MIGHT be dealt before the season starts is Hanifin.

I imagine experiencing the new ways is only part of the equation as the new ways translating to success on the ice will also be a factor in players wanting to re-sign.

[GullFoss]

Great to listen to the story about Backlund pumping Huska up through the process both within the organization to directly to Huska himself. And Backlund giving Huska confidence that he was ready for the job.

[HighLifeMan]

This man sure knows how to say all the right things - especially regarding Huberdeau.

He definitely has me excited. Let's hope he can execute.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Again people making up stories in their head of agents/team leaking stuff. The team didn't do anything neither did the player or agents.

The reality is the team lost 2 big name players last year, missed the playoffs, and came into the offseason with 7 players on expiring contract I would say at least 4 of them core pieces at the moment.

It was natural for the media to ask them about signing and those players expressed their wishes a few looked disgruntled and made it seem like they would not be interested in signing.

1 guy got traded because he was not a priority signing and they sound like they are negotiating with the others less in Hanifins case and they want to see what the atmosphere of the team looks like in camp by sounds of it after Sutter sewered it.

[Bubba17]

Originally Posted by browna

I still think it was a mistake/grandstanding by the Flames to be so public/not asking the agents to keep it quiet, in pushing and then allowing the revealing the wishes of players so soon after the season.

.....

The Flames didn't make it public, the press asked the players at the garbage bag day exits and they answered the question. Then everyone took what comments the players made and turned it into a gong show. When asked about the players comments Conroy rightly said they weren't going to walk anyone to free agency.