I like Jay Feaster

[ricosuave]

^ Lots of people have suggested meddling by both Edwards and King. Which may, in fact be a reason why JD isnt here.

[FAN]

Originally Posted by howard_the_duck

In fairness, Sutter didn't have an expensive mess that was up against the cap with aging assets. His mess was more a lack of talent and starting goaltender.

Feaster's challenge, IMO, is much more daunting given the capped NHL landscape and lack of movable assets. And the fact his assets that would bring back return appear to be untouchable from an ownership standpoint.

I think almost every GM would disagree with you. Operating under a tight budget in an NHL without a salary cap is a much bigger handicap than being in "salary cap jail" in an NHL with a salary cap. I bet almost every GM would prefer to be in a situation where one of their biggest problems is how to create cap flexibility as opposed to be in a situation where their biggest problem is how to keep their roster together or improve the team without having an extra million or two to spend on the roster. When Sutter took over the Flames, he didn't have his own AHL team and barely had any scouts working for him. Feaster, in comparison, has it much easier with the budget to hire guys like Weisbrod to help him. What would you rather do? Trade an asset to create cap room or trade an asset to fall within budget?

Originally Posted by BloodFetish

A lot of posters seem to expect quick fixes, but realistically I think it's a series of small goals and baby steps over many years that will get this team contending again. So long as I believe it's trending the right way I'll have patience with Feaster.

I think there are a lot more posters who expect there to be no quick fixes than posters who expect quick fixes.

[Sakari]

Feaster has undoubtedly made this team 10x more skilled than it used to be.

[Fire Park '71]

All I see is a maintained environment. Way too easy, to be a Calgary Flame.

[Dienasty]

@station

Modin I am willing to guess played more games than that 7th rounder has or will. (I didn't check just assumed) so isn't that a win?

Comeau is better then begin and it was on a 1year deal, plus we have cap room. Not sure I would classify that as a negative either.

[Poe969]

Originally Posted by Sakari

Feaster has undoubtedly made this team 10x more skilled than it used to be.

There is way more skill on this team but there is also more complacency too. Being so close for a few years in a row has made the team lower their expectations. They all talk about making it to the 8th spot like it's the goal of the whole season.

He has brougt in good tallent through free agency but anyone can sign a player in the summer (he did well finding 2 guys in Hudler and Wideman) but I'm worried that if things don't change with the team attitude, those guys will start to accept mediocrity like the rest of the team

[FAN]

Originally Posted by Sakari

Feaster has undoubtedly made this team 10x more skilled than it used to be.

10X more skilled? Based on what? And has it led to better on-ice results?

[nik-]

Originally Posted by FAN

10X more skilled? Based on what? And has it led to better on-ice results?

Based on Kool-Aid

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by nik-

Based on Kool-Aid

So you are disagreeing that Hudler, Cervenka and Wideman are not upgrades over Moss, Jokinen and whatever else we jettisoned?

Standings wise they look like latteral moves but on an idividual skill set basis they are massive upgrades.

[Dienasty]

Originally Posted by dammage79

So you are disagreeing that Hudler, Cervenka and Wideman are not upgrades over Moss, Jokinen and whatever else we jettisoned?

Standings wise they look like latteral moves but on an idividual skill set basis they are massive upgrades.

Not to mention Baertschi and Cammalerri when they are healthy.

They are way more skilled, as for standings Kipper/Iggy not being elite anymore really hurts them there.

[nik-]

No I don't disagree and I'm glad we have them. I guess I'm just bitter because when it comes down to the results, this team isn't any better and I'm really starting to worry that the coach he selected is anti-kids.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by nik-

No I don't disagree and I'm glad we have them. I guess I'm just bitter because when it comes down to the results, this team isn't any better and I'm really starting to worry that the coach he selected is anti-kids.

Not really any indication of this. He is giving Brodie big time minutes - and besides him who else is there that is available to contribute amongst the kids?

[Goodlad]

Originally Posted by nik-

No I don't disagree and I'm glad we have them. I guess I'm just bitter because when it comes down to the results, this team isn't any better and I'm really starting to worry that the coach he selected is anti-kids.

Hartley has shown in the past he's not afraid to give young players big minutes/responsibility. Brodie on the 2nd pairing bears this out. He won't, however, give them opportunities they don't deserve, and I haven't seen any of our younger players outside of Brodie show they deserve more than they've gotten.

[dammage79]

I don't know. Seems our supposed second tier guys are playing far better than our leaders on a consistant basis and that should not be happening, I agree our improved skill has not made the team better but that is when you have to start looking at guys Like Iginla, Giordano, Tanguay and finally figure out that the leadership core is the thing that needs the changing. At the very Least Feaster has put the management into a position to see that finally.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Not really any indication of this. He is giving Brodie big time minutes - and besides him who else is there that is available to contribute amongst the kids?

It took him a long time to give Backlund the minutes he clearly deserved from the start. Baertschi wasn't stellar, but he was ok, and definitely wasn't 4-5 minutes a night bad. Horak rode pine for the last part of the game last night.

Basically when we're anywhere near a close game he doesn't seem to trust the kids, and their play hasn't really given him a reason to take this stance.

[BigFlameDog]

Originally Posted by nik-

It took him a long time to give Backlund the minutes he clearly deserved from the start. Baertschi wasn't stellar, but he was ok, and definitely wasn't 4-5 minutes a night bad. Horak rode pine for the last part of the game last night.

Basically when we're anywhere near a close game he doesn't seem to trust the kids, and their play hasn't really given him a reason to take this stance.

i think your making up stuff to support your argument, tbqh.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by nik-

It took him a long time to give Backlund the minutes he clearly deserved from the start. Baertschi wasn't stellar, but he was ok, and definitely wasn't 4-5 minutes a night bad. Horak rode pine for the last part of the game last night.

Basically when we're anywhere near a close game he doesn't seem to trust the kids, and their play hasn't really given him a reason to take this stance.

Given the sample size for all those players - that really doesn't prove much. Backlund certainly got a prominent role as soon as he started playing well.

Again - when Brodie showed he was ready - he got the minutes.

[kehatch]

Originally Posted by BigRed

Picture this team minus Hudler and Wideman.

That is all.

I know right. We might be sitting near last place without those guys. Oh ... wait.

Perhaps save your praise until we aren't 14 in the West? Just a suggestion.

[station]

Originally Posted by Dienasty

@station

Modin I am willing to guess played more games than that 7th rounder has or will. (I didn't check just assumed) so isn't that a win?

Comeau is better then begin and it was on a 1year deal, plus we have cap room. Not sure I would classify that as a negative either.

Hmm, well I believe Feaster himself later admitted this was a mistake. Modin had a back injury, played 4 games and retired. I agree that a 7th is a long shot at best to make it but at least there is some sort of chance. Very minor deal though really.

And yeah I didn't totally hate the Comeau re-signing at first even though he didn't show much last year either. With how bad he's played though it doesn't look like a good move. And if Bouma was healthy I think he would deserve that spot in the lineup.

Overall though I think Feaster has done a nice job of quietly adding to the team's skill level, front office and organizational depth. Obviously there hasn't been an improvement in the standings but I think it's a bit soon for that judgement, especially with a new coaching staff on a shortened season with no camp.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Given the sample size for all those players - that really doesn't prove much. Backlund certainly got a prominent role as soon as he started playing well.

Again - when Brodie showed he was ready - he got the minutes.

Not sure I buy that, Jiri.

Brodie started the season a healthy scratch, and since being injected into the lineup has been the best or second best defender on the roster.

Story of the first 5 games was how well Backlund was playing and how precious little icetime he was getting despite such a strong start. Notable snubs include the Vancouver shootout where he was en fuego the whole night.

Sven Baertschi was on the verge of being scratched after having his minutes progressively cut in each game he appeared in, despite generating plenty of quality scoring chances. He was going to bea healthy scratch until the disaster of a PR move that turned out to be and so was effectively benched seeing less than 5 minutes of ice. Calgary's best prospect, in a year where missing the playoffs is a foregone conclusion.

Roman Horak was arguably Calgary's best player last night and saw half as much icetime in the third period as Blake Comeau. 3 minutes of icetime in the third period, including shifts of 15 and 17 seconds, with bottom 6ers, less icetime than in the first period. He was 50% on the draw. He also had to wait through 2 callups before getting his chance again, after playing 61 games of competitive NHL hockey for this club the season before.

I used to be on board with having young players earn roster spots over vets. I used to echo your sentiments when we were talking about Dustin Boyd or John Negrin or Matt Pelech.

These aren't those players though. We're talking about players that have established themselves as bonafide NHLers who are more effective at their jobs than some of the vets who are doubling their icetime.