[News] Sportsnet interview with Maloney (2-parter)

[SuperMatt18]

I still feel like they could have just said something like "of course we are not happy with where we are, no team wants to be in last place but that's where we find ourselves right now. We aren't going to give up on this season, but we also aren't going to make any short term decisions that only help us win now and not for the long term and still are focused on what's best long term for this season. Our focus remains on building a winning team long term through the draft and the start to this season doesn't change that"

Even the question about high picks from Francis, just say "our priority is building a strong team through the draft and we believe that needs to be our focus whether we pick 1st overall or 17th overall".

Why downplay the benefit that a 1st overall pick gives you.

I still don't really get how they think the message they've went with here is attractive to any portion of the fan base.

[gvitaly]

Originally Posted by Jay Random

They had a trade arranged for Andersson last summer, conditional on his re-signing with L.A., and he wouldn't do it.



What have they done that has been incompetent since Conroy became GM? That's who I'm judging on his performance, not the entire bloody history of the franchise under people who are no longer there.

I like Conroy as a GM. My biggest beef with Conroy is extending players/personnel too early. I understand why he does it, so the Flames don't lose assets for nothing. That said, there was no real downside in waiting a bit longer to extend Sharangovich, Pospisil, Backlund and Huska.

The steps the Flames have taken in the drafting, development, and even asset management outweigh the occasional mishaps.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

I still feel like they could have just said something like "of course we are not happy with where we are, no team wants to be in last place but that's where we find ourselves right now. We aren't going to give up on this season, but we also aren't going to make any short term decisions and still are focused on what's best long term for this season. Our focus remains on building a winning team long term through the draft and the start to this season doesn't change that"

I still don't really get how they think the message here is attractive to any portion of the fan base.

That's true, and that's exactly what they should have said. Maloney completely bungled the interview and I would support getting rid of him.

But I'm not going to start hyperventilating and suppose that a bungled interview is an accurate statement about what the team is actually doing. Even if Maloney had delivered a perfect PR puff piece to the media, it would mean absolutely nothing to me one way or the other. I'm waiting for actions – but unlike some posters, I know that trades don't happen until both sides agree to make a move, so I don't expect anything at this moment. I just have to take it out in waiting.

[jaydub74]

Originally Posted by Jay Random

Oh, great. So who is this magical new owner that's going to appear out of nowhere and pull a billion dollars out of his back pocket to buy this mess?

If I have that kind of money and want to spend it on an NHL team, I'm going to pick one that's either in a better market, or can be relocated to one. The Flames are nailed to the spot for the next couple of decades.

Some “Magical New Owner” just bought the Ottawa Senators for $950,000,000. Another small market Canadian team that probably won’t be relocated.

[PaperBagger'14]

Originally Posted by Jay Random

When they can't, tough titty. It's still the object of the game.

Would you pay $10,000 a year and up to watch hockey players lose on purpose?

I’d rather watch that instead of a bunch of mediocre bozos bumble truck their way to another 17-20th place finish.

[wpgflamesfan]

Originally Posted by jaydub74

Some “Magical New Owner” just bought the Ottawa Senators for $950,000,000. Another small market Canadian team that probably won’t be relocated.

Not too mention the three other groups that were also in the running to buy the team. If the flames went up for sale I think people would be shocked at what they eventually go for and to claim that no one would be interested is so far off base I’m not even sure where to start.

[InternationalVillager]

Well....some of you may need to have a drink for this.

APPARENTLY....Maloney was trotted out to face the media last night and this Q&A with Francis ....... because Conroy was opposed to it? Didnt want to do it? Disagreed with it? It's one of these. Whatever it is, Conroy doesn't want to say this BS so they brought out Maloney to say this Baloney.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by PaperBagger'14

I’d rather watch that instead of a bunch of mediocre bozos bumble truck their way to another 17-20th place finish.

Believe me, you wouldn't. Not at those prices.

Nobody wants to pay good money for tickets to watch an event that is fixed in advance. This isn't pro wrestling we're talking about.

[Jason14h]

Originally Posted by InternationalVillager

Well....some of you may need to have a drink for this.

APPARENTLY....Maloney was trotted out to face the media last night and this Q&A with Francis ....... because Conroy was opposed to it? Didnt want to do it? Disagreed with it? It's one of these. Whatever it is, Conroy doesn't want to say this BS so they brought out Maloney to say this Baloney.

Yup. And not being signed is a bigger deal than people think .

[Rhett44]

Originally Posted by InternationalVillager

Well....some of you may need to have a drink for this.

APPARENTLY....Maloney was trotted out to face the media last night and this Q&A with Francis ....... because Conroy was opposed to it? Didnt want to do it? Disagreed with it? It's one of these. Whatever it is, Conroy doesn't want to say this BS so they brought out Maloney to say this Baloney.

You have heard this from people or you are speculating?

[PaperBagger'14]

Originally Posted by Jay Random

Believe me, you wouldn't. Not at those prices.

Nobody wants to pay good money for tickets to watch an event that is fixed in advance. This isn't pro wrestling we're talking about.

That’s where you and I differ, I would support the team through a true rebuild if it meant some hope of playoff success, no matter how they got the picks to do it.

What isn’t acceptable is consistently poor results and no propect of change.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by Jason14h

Yup. And not being signed is a bigger deal than people think .

Not according to Royle9, who appears to be pretty well connected.

[Jason14h]

Originally Posted by Jay Random

Believe me, you wouldn't. Not at those prices.

Nobody wants to pay good money for tickets to watch an event that is fixed in advance. This isn't pro wrestling we're talking about.

You are now the expert on what people will spend money for ! Your omnipotence knows no bounds !

I only hope the new arena has enough room for the lineup of fans to watch 38 year old Kadri and 36 year old Coleman !

[PepsiFree]

So, the recap of what Francis said about the Maloney interview (thanks Comixzone) has me a little more concerned that the issues here run deeper just “what the owners want” and that Conroy’s lack of a contract is actually something to be concerned about.

I fully trust Conroy. I think he knows what he’s doing and has a solid plan. I don’t think he’s stupid, but what kind of autonomy does he actually have? And are we seeing another Treliving situation where he basically had to demand more autonomy to stay?

I think Maloney’s time in Arizona is underrated. He battled ownership hard there, wanted to build a team the way we want it built here, but he lost that battle. My worry is that he learned the wrong lesson from losing that battle.

My additional worry is that, in the actual interview he says “we” discuss the direction, including himself among the group. According to Francis, he said the “GMs” set the direction. Which is it? And why is it not Conroy who sets the direction, with the consultation and support of the support staff? Not that I don’t trust the group, but if Conroy isn’t the one making decisions and he’s just one voice of five, why would he want to stay? And is that division part of why we haven’t seen a guy like Iginla since he joined the club?

I’ve come around. They need a new PHO. If Conroy leaves before Maloney this is going to be to be rough for the franchise.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by PaperBagger'14

That’s where you and I differ, I would support the team through a true rebuild if it meant some hope of playoff success, no matter how they got the picks to do it.

You would pay $10,000-plus a year to watch a team throw 41 games on purpose?

[InternationalVillager]

Originally Posted by Jason14h

Yup. And not being signed is a bigger deal than people think .

Originally Posted by Rhett44

You have heard this from people or you are speculating?

Let's say if Conroy is fired or simply not extended. You will know what his stance was and what this Baloney Maloney/Ownership stance was.

We're at a fork in the road folks......

I posted a while ago that Flames were in a rebuild etc and just werent saying it publicly or whatever BUT THIS is a change in tone. THIS is ownership speaking and Conroy is not part of it.

[Ferarri]

The direction of this team will become clearer in the next 5 months. Hopefully this was Maloney doing his due diligence with this media (not that I agree with it) and that the plan behind closed doors is to prioritize a proper rebuild given the circumstances.

I will say this, if Conroy’s contract isn’t renewed because he believes in a rebuild and ownership can’t accept that, then I will be pulling my season tickets and support of the team. He deserves a fair shot to put his stamp on the team and see his vision play out.

Obviously the Flames won’t care about my support but I suspect there will be quite a few fans who jump ship if it’s more of the same from this inept organization.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by Jason14h

You are now the expert on what people will spend money for ! Your omnipotence knows no bounds !

I know that sports fans are absolutely furious when they find out that a match has been fixed. There's abundant history of it. But apparently I'm not allowed to know that without having you come in and snark at me.

By the way, the word you were looking for is ‘omniscience’. Omnipotence means being all-powerful. But I don't claim to be omniscient, I just claim to have a grasp of the perfectly bloody obvious. People don't shell out big money to watch a competition if they know one side has agreed in advance to lose.

I only hope the new arena has enough room for the lineup of fans to watch 38 year old Kadri and 36 year old Coleman !

Show me where I said anything about keeping those players that long. Ever. Anywhere.

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by Jason14h

You are now the expert on what people will spend money for ! Your omnipotence knows no bounds !

I only hope the new arena has enough room for the lineup of fans to watch 38 year old Kadri and 36 year old Coleman !

Unlikely they will see Coleman as his contract is up before the new arena will be built.

[Rhett44]

Originally Posted by InternationalVillager

Let's say if Conroy is fired or simply not extended. You will know what his stance was and what this Baloney Maloney/Ownership stance was.

We're at a fork in the road folks......

I posted a while ago that Flames were in a rebuild etc and just werent saying it publicly or whatever BUT THIS is a change in tone. THIS is ownership speaking and Conroy is not part of it.

If they fired Conroy people would absolutely lose their minds even worse than they already are. There is absolutely no chance they do this..... I think.