[News] Friedman: Feaster/Flames are not going to blow it up

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by oldschoolcalgary

I'll believe it when I see it I guess. Feaster and Hartley, the major hires for this organization, were not lauded as fantastic hires by anyone not posting on this board...

in fact, if it is verified that KK is a problem, that is also a sign of the owner's willingness to be mediocre. KK is their employee afterall. They can fire him if they see the organization going in the wrong direction.

But bad hiring is not the same thing as being happy with mediocrity because they are making money. There is a big difference and the idea that ownership is happy because the rink is full simply doesn't make economic sense.

[oldschoolcalgary]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

But bad hiring is not the same thing as being happy with mediocrity because they are making money. There is a big difference and the idea that ownership is happy because the rink is full simply doesn't make economic sense.

Ok, how about if the owners are unhappy with the on the ice mediocrity, but have yet to really show they are willing to do anything substantive about it, does it mean they are ok with the sold out Dome or simply too scared to make the hard decisions?

also, not clear on the economic sense remark? sold out dome + crappy product = $$$
there is zero guarantee that blowing it up is going to make calgary contenders over night.

maybe the owners dont want a return to the days when calgary only had 15k a night

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by kermitology

Because I'm fed up with Feaster flapping his gums all the time, and presents the opportunity for a change in direction.

The change in direction has to come from up top, not from us firing one puppet and replacing him with another. Go ahead and fire Feaster, but if the attitude up top doesn't change, in a year or two you're just going to be sick of whoever we replace him with. Just look at the revolving door of coaches in the last decade and how much "change" that really gets you whenever everything else is status quo.

[browna]

No matter whatever perceived mandate Feaster may have, the roster Feaster's built in the past couple years are, as I said before, almost anti-Sutter. Almost as if it is to show everyone how he can change things completely from the bad taste that he perceives people seem to have about the D. Sutter era....big=bad...small and skilled=good.

He's focused on smaller, skilled guys, which are fine for the top 4 or 5 to go with Iginla. A top #1 centre which has been needed for the past decade to assist the pure goal scorer Iginla is still waiting to be seen from Feaster's promises. Jokinen was as close as they got. Also bigger power skilled forward would be nice too, but that's asking a lot for the top 6.

The big issue for me is the 3rd line. Feaster's got a more skilled rather than an big, cycling energy line which it should be to dominate. Games last night show how Sutters Big=Good mentality across the bottom 2.5 lines makes such a difference in puck possession and in game momentum. Feaster wanted the third line guy Comeau for 2 years, as an example of this thinking.

4th line is actually ok, if the third line was more physical and dominating. Having the 4th line try to be the energy/spark line is just not going to work, as those guys can't take the ice time or have the skills to do that job properly.

Not getting a solid physical defenseman for the top 4...love Sarich and he was an ironman until the Keenan days, and is a physical defenseman. But Feaster took a risk on, as his injury issue last year was basically the end, but Feaster went an re-signed him anyways. Its clear he's basically done with that hip issue that doesn't sound like its going to get better. Whether Gio thinks he has to be that physical guy (which he's not), but he's struggling and has since Sutter left to be honest to find any sort of niche with this team.

Toss in Kirpusoff's injury, and is taking a bit longer to get up to speed in the short offseason and then the rush to get back in the lineup, certainly doesn't help the way the things are going in the result column.

Bottom line, win now mandate or not, this roster is built too small. The effort has been there most if not all nights, even last night when down by 3 or 4, and as a positive, Hartley's new offensive style for the top 2 lines (and a guy like Boumeester) is working...but the fact that the Flames are not more physically built on the third line, and on the top 4 defenseman, has them pushed around most nights and not being able to establish that momentum that teams needs from such shifts, and I believe that's a philosophical error that Feaster has made in building this roster.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by oldschoolcalgary

Ok, how about if the owners are unhappy with the on the ice mediocrity, but have yet to really show they are willing to do anything substantive about it, does it mean they are ok with the sold out Dome or simply too scared to make the hard decisions?

I don't think they're afraid of making the tough decisions at all (they're just making bad ones). They spend to the cap, they allowed Feaster to chase big-name FAs, they have changed coaches, etc.

They appear willing to do what's necessary and spend money. The problem is that they and/or management believe that they can win with this team (with some fixing / hole-plugging).

Replace KK and take the team in a new direction.

[STAMPEDRED]

Originally Posted by Igottago

What do you want, a lynch mob? You do realize the the trade deadline is just around the corner and these guys are probably working, not worrying about having a discussion with the fans. Now isn't the time for that.

The management team is not without a share of blame for the state of the team but let's be realistic, they aren't going to come out and share their strategy with you. I'm sure they realize this is a crucial time for the organization.

I for one will wait to see what happens in the next 3 weeks and then make my mind up on how they've done. Until then I have no choice but to wait and see how things proceed.

Actually, with how they like to talk now, I would be more surprised that nothing is mentioned leading up to any sort of deal. Like a fourth liner signing on trade deadline day!

[ricardodw]

Originally Posted by browna

No matter whatever perceived mandate Feaster may have, the roster Feaster's built in the past couple years are, as I said before, almost anti-Sutter. Almost as if it is to show everyone how he can change things completely from the bad taste that he perceives people seem to have about the D. Sutter era....big=bad...small and skilled=good.

He's focused on smaller, skilled guys, which are fine for the top 4 or 5 to go with Iginla. A top #1 centre which has been needed for the past decade to assist the pure goal scorer Iginla is still waiting to be seen from Feaster's promises. Jokinen was as close as they got. Also bigger power skilled forward would be nice too, but that's asking a lot for the top 6.

The big issue for me is the 3rd line. Feaster's got a more skilled rather than an big, cycling energy line which it should be to dominate. Games last night show how Sutters Big=Good mentality across the bottom 2.5 lines makes such a difference in puck possession and in game momentum. Feaster wanted the third line guy Comeau for 2 years, as an example of this thinking.

4th line is actually ok, if the third line was more physical and dominating. Having the 4th line try to be the energy/spark line is just not going to work, as those guys can't take the ice time or have the skills to do that job properly.

Not getting a solid physical defenseman for the top 4...love Sarich and he was an ironman until the Keenan days, and is a physical defenseman. But Feaster took a risk on, as his injury issue last year was basically the end, but Feaster went an re-signed him anyways. Its clear he's basically done with that hip issue that doesn't sound like its going to get better. Whether Gio thinks he has to be that physical guy (which he's not), but he's struggling and has since Sutter left to be honest to find any sort of niche with this team.

Toss in Kirpusoff's injury, and is taking a bit longer to get up to speed in the short offseason and then the rush to get back in the lineup, certainly doesn't help the way the things are going in the result column.

Bottom line, win now mandate or not, this roster is built too small. The effort has been there most if not all nights, even last night when down by 3 or 4, and as a positive, Hartley's new offensive style for the top 2 lines (and a guy like Boumeester) is working...but the fact that the Flames are not more physically built on the third line, and on the top 4 defenseman, has them pushed around most nights and not being able to establish that momentum that teams needs from such shifts, and I believe that's a philosophical error that Feaster has made in building this roster.

The Flames have the smallest D in the league as a unit. Amost all forward lines going against the Flames D have a size advantage. Gio as a 207 lb guy is way way way too small to be the #1 physical d-man.

[Burner]

Originally Posted by ricardodw

The Flames have the smallest D in the league as a unit. Amost all forward lines going against the Flames D have a size advantage. Gio as a 207 lb guy is way way way too small to be the #1 physical d-man.

Keith and Seabrook are 6 ft 200 lbs - seem to do ok....

[BigFlameDog]

Originally Posted by Burner

Keith and Seabrook are 6 ft 200 lbs - seem to do ok....

You are thinking of Brent...Keith is about 6'3" or 6'4" and 220 at least.

Just pointing it out, not arguing the main point.

[trackercowe]

Originally Posted by Burner

Keith and Seabrook are 6 ft 200 lbs - seem to do ok....

Seabrook is 6"3, and almost 240 lbs.

[Burner]

Originally Posted by BigFlameDog

You are thinking of Brent...Keith is about 6'3" or 6'4" and 220 at least.

Just pointing it out, not arguing the main point.

My bad..

[browna]

Originally Posted by ricardodw

The Flames have the smallest D in the league as a unit. Amost all forward lines going against the Flames D have a size advantage. Gio as a 207 lb guy is way way way too small to be the #1 physical d-man.

Not this to turn this into a roster discussion, although I went there, it was the notion that changing GM's meant that nothing was going to change.

Feaster's had over 2 years to build his team since Sutter's gone and his decisions on how he wanted his team to look and the signings he made as a result have formed this smallish team as you see it and as I talked about.

[Enoch Root]

According to the Hawk's site...

Seabrook 6'3" 221

Keith 6'1" 200

[EddyBeers]

Where did all the positive people go?

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by EddyBeers

Where did all the positive people go?

Don't worry as soon as the Flames win a game they will be back. I think even the positive fans understand that the team is heading into the dumpster. They are just hoping that something miraculous happens and the team makes an improbable run. I can't fault them for hoping for the best as some people have issues dealing with reality when it's not positive.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by flamesfever

As Sebc pointed out, it's his declining stats. I know he looked fantastic the other night, but his overall performance this year is not good enough to get us in the playoffs. You can say it's his slow start and he'll improve, but that may not happen.

I'm not saying we don't need to upgrade in goal, but given what you've watched since 2004, why do you think it's a more pressing concern than centre? We know what a Vezina trophy and a couple all star games get you on a team without strength down the middle.

[Joborule]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Don't worry as soon as the Flames win a game they will be back. I think even the positive fans understand that the team is heading into the dumpster. They are just hoping that something miraculous happens and the team makes an improbable run. I can't fault them for hoping for the best as some people have issues dealing with reality when it's not positive.

[browna]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Don't worry as soon as the Flames win a game they will be back. I think even the positive fans understand that the team is heading into the dumpster. They are just hoping that something miraculous happens and the team makes an improbable run. I can't fault them for hoping for the best as some people have issues dealing with reality when it's not positive.

Or, they like it when the Flames win, which is what you are (or should be) hoping for every game, and not like it when they don't. On top of that come here and have to wade thread through thread of doom and gloom and people telling them what and how to think.

Simple as that, nothing to do with your definition of " dealing with reality" and scolding them for not having the same outlook as you.

[Yoho]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Don't worry as soon as the Flames win a game they will be back. I think even the positive fans understand that the team is heading into the dumpster. They are just hoping that something miraculous happens and the team makes an improbable run. I can't fault them for hoping for the best as some people have issues dealing with reality when it's not positive.

And some of those people own NHL franchises

[Tinordi]

I recognize that things need to get worse before they get better because I understand that pro sports is cyclical. If you can't accept that then you very much do have problems with reality.