Best off season move to date?

[gargamel]

Originally Posted by edslunch

Are you serious?

He's the guy who still thinks Brent was a good coach for Calgary, and he's rooting against the Flames this year in hopes that he'll be vindicated.

[EddyBeers]

Originally Posted by Jacks

I've got a bit of a hangover but can you explain what this means?

Well in years past we have played around .555 hockey which gave us a 12-14th overall pick. Now we are playing .500 hockey which should result in a better draft position.

[mikeecho]

While I like all the moves (ex. Comeau), I have to say Hartley for sure. Under Brent's pack mentality dream, Hudler, Wideman, Backlund and JBo would look horrible and we'd be talking about how bad Feaster did over the off season.

[mikeecho]

Originally Posted by EddyBeers

Well in years past we have played around .555 hockey which gave us a 12-14th overall pick. Now we are playing .500 hockey which should result in a better draft position.

Curious about the sample sizes you're using... 250 games + vs. 8? Sounds statistically valid.

[Sainters7]

Originally Posted by RT14

All made even better by the fact everyone around the league were calling the Wideman signing horrible at the time and even giving the Flames a hard time about the Hudler signing.

Yep. Just like the media crapped all over those bargain deals to Tanguay/Jokinen 2 years ago, which ended up being absolute steals. The Canadian media just likes to pooh pooh everything the Flames do, I'm really sick of it. It's to the point now where its just ridiculous.

And I'm sticking with just players, so I say Wideman as well. Has completely transformed our PP.

[Enoch Root]

1) coaching change
2) no panic trades
3) Wideman
4) Hudler
5) Trading down in the draft and turning our 14th pick into Jankowski and Sieloff
6) Cervenka
7) not re-signing Jokinen

[FlamesAddiction]

I think Hudler and Wideman are both fitting in really well.

But I don't think either of them are looking like this if Brent Sutter was still coaching. Obviously it's still up in the air whether or not Hartley gets a better overall record, but I do think he gets more from the individuals. Hopefuly the sum of the parts reflects that at some point.

So I suppose I would have to say Hartley.

[Anduril]

While the Wideman and Hudler additions are key to whatever little success we've had so far, it wouldn't be possible without Hartley, both in actively and aggreasively targetibg these kind of guys and having the game plan to draw the best so far out of everyone.

[Bourque's Twin]

1. Hartley
2. Wideman
3. Hudler
4. Cervenka

Not to mention, Feaster seemed to draft well.

[TopChed]

I think it's safe to say that Feaster's approval rating is pretty high right now. He's had a good year.

[evman150]

Wideman is what this team has really been missing since the lockout. A skilled, mobile, puck-moving defenseman with a big shot.

[EVERLAST]

all of the above including KEEPING Boumeester

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by Sainters7

Yep. Just like the media crapped all over those bargain deals to Tanguay/Jokinen 2 years ago, which ended up being absolute steals. The Canadian media just likes to pooh pooh everything the Flames do, I'm really sick of it. It's to the point now where its just ridiculous.

And I'm sticking with just players, so I say Wideman as well. Has completely transformed our PP.

The media poo poo's all the deals we make, like Tanguay, Jokinene, Wideman, Hudler because they aren't looking at them in isolation. They poo poo them, not because they are actually bad deals, but because they are seen as tinkering deals, deals that tweak a roster that in their estimation is in need of major change, not tweaks. Either bringing in some really big pieces (very hard to do) that will change the face of the team, or a strip down and complete rebuild.

They look at the Flames like a girl who's in a bad relationship with her boyfriend, and rather than dumping her boyfriend in exchange for a new one, or some time alone, she goes out and buys him a new outfit to ware. Different look, but she's dating the same guy, and not what they think she needs to be doing.

They don't want the Flames to stay the same and simply accessories, they want them to start with something new. I'm not saying they are right, but that's why the Flames get critiqued everytime they simply buy new shoes.

[KipperRules]

Hartley. No Question.

This team is fun to watch, finally! And the positivity that can be seen by the coach and players is refreshing. It's like they are having fun out there.

Beyond that I would have to say Wideman and Hudler. Both are great additions, that were very needed, for this team.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by edslunch

Are you serious?

It's his schtick.

I would also say Wideman...he gives the club a dynamic it hasnt had in a long time.

Hudler though has been a bit of an epiphony to me. Knew he had skill and was smart...had no idea he was an tenacious as he is. Great singing thus far.

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

1) coaching change
2) no panic trades
3) Wideman
4) Hudler
5) Trading down in the draft and turning our 14th pick into Jankowski and Sieloff
6) Cervenka
7) not re-signing Jokinen

Agree with most. Kind of scared that #2 might take place soon with the injury to Backlund or if Irving can't hold the fort.

[MyFlamesFirst]

The fact that you can argue for pretty well any of the off season moves as the best ones is a testament to how well Feaster did this off season. Have to give credit where credit is due.

[Alberta_Beef]

1) Firing Sutter
2) Hiring Hartley
3) Signing players that fit into Hrtley's system (Cervenka, Wideman, Hudler)
4) Keeping guys that could fit into Hartley's system (Bouwmeester, Stempniak, Stajan)

[Mitch]

Originally Posted by EddyBeers

Well in years past we have played around .555 hockey which gave us a 12-14th overall pick. Now we are playing .500 hockey which should result in a better draft position.

How you consider yourself a flames fan I cannot fathom.

[Miniac]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

1) coaching change
2) no panic trades
3) Wideman
4) Hudler
5) Trading down in the draft and turning our 14th pick into Jankowski and Sieloff
6) Cervenka
7) not re-signing Jokinen

Great list!