Feaster credibility with fan base on the line

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

Well, a few weeks ago, Feaster was willing to trade our 1st rounder for Ryan O'Reilly... so you should be afraid.

To be fair he was willing to give up a 1st for a young 22 year old player that still hasn't hit his prime.

[Southside]

Originally Posted by gargamel

The first order of business needs to be sitting down with Iginla and either giving him an extension or finding out which teams he'd be willing to be traded to.

Once that's taken care of, I'm fine with any moves that don't involve trading any of our key prospects or making our draft outlook worse unless we're getting young talent back in return.

The clock is ticking.

[Buff]

Originally Posted by IntenseFan

So far? Since 2005/06 with no sign of any epiphany yet...

Don't be so negative.

05/06 - 3rd in the conference. Best defensive team in the league.
06/07 - okay, they were 8th. Best home team in the league, but something wasn't right, and the coach paid the price
07/08 - 7th, but still competitive, just not a strong contender
08/09 - 5th, and could have been higher if they didn't have problems during the last 10 or so games with injuries that caused them to not ice a full team on more than one occasion.

After that is when things really hit the skids. They went for broke the last couple of years and depleted the cupboard. After Brent Sutter came in and missed the playoffs in the first year is when they should have reconized that they needed to step back and retool and rebuild the cupboard instead of trying to rebuild and go for broke again and again.

[Mass_nerder]

I always hear people speculating that the owners/management don't want to do a full rebuild because they're afraid the fan base will disappear like it did in the late 90's. Obviously we know that most fans "in the know" would be okay with the decision, if it meant returning to being a division title competitor. The worry is always that the average fan would lose interest.
With the highly publicized rebuilds of the last 5-10 years, such as Pittsburgh, Chicago (and Edmonton, even if they haven't seen any actual success), could it be that even the general hockey fan now recognizes the value of being less than competitive for a few seasons in order to gain some valuable players for the future?
When I talk with my mom, who is a very casual fan, she's always asking me why I think the Flames aren't trying to do what the Oilers etc...are doing. Seems like this opinion now stretches beyond those unreasonably attached to the team, like most of us.

[The Yen Man]

Originally Posted by Mass_nerder

I always hear people speculating that the owners/management don't want to do a full rebuild because they're afraid the fan base will disappear like it did in the late 90's. Obviously we know that most fans "in the know" would be okay with the decision, if it meant returning to being a division title competitor. The worry is always that the average fan would lose interest.
With the highly publicized rebuilds of the last 5-10 years, such as Pittsburgh, Chicago (and Edmonton, even if they haven't seen any actual success), could it be that even the general hockey fan now recognizes the value of being less than competitive for a few seasons in order to gain some valuable players for the future?
When I talk with my mom, who is a very casual fan, she's always asking me why I think the Flames aren't trying to do what the Oilers etc...are doing. Seems like this opinion now stretches beyond those unreasonably attached to the team, like most of us.

Besides, this is a totally different situation than the 90's. In the 90's, Calgary couldn't compete because of the weak dollar. They are now a have team, and can spend to the cap annually if needed. The Flames really need to just bit the bullet and go for at least a mini rebuild. If they stand pat, I'd really have to question the competency of both management and ownership.

At this point, although I hate to admit it, the best thing for the Flames is to actually lose a majority of their games going into the trade deadline to finally force management's hand. Lets hope they go 1-6 (still have to beat those Greasers no matter what).

[Ozy_Flame]

^^^ Which is why an Ottawa-style rebuild may be the best route. We retain marquee names while improving our drafting record, and continually pumping out a deep roster of homegrown talent.

The only problem is, Calgary is at a turning point where Iggy may be ready to leave, and guys like Cammy and Bouw aren't going to stick around much longer either. Hell, Kipper is a major draw but I would hazard to guess that he retires within 3-5 years. There are some challenges to that style of rebuild but it is worth exploring.

[Muta]

Originally Posted by Mass_nerder

I always hear people speculating that the owners/management don't want to do a full rebuild because they're afraid the fan base will disappear like it did in the late 90's. Obviously we know that most fans "in the know" would be okay with the decision, if it meant returning to being a division title competitor. The worry is always that the average fan would lose interest.
With the highly publicized rebuilds of the last 5-10 years, such as Pittsburgh, Chicago (and Edmonton, even if they haven't seen any actual success), could it be that even the general hockey fan now recognizes the value of being less than competitive for a few seasons in order to gain some valuable players for the future?
When I talk with my mom, who is a very casual fan, she's always asking me why I think the Flames aren't trying to do what the Oilers etc...are doing. Seems like this opinion now stretches beyond those unreasonably attached to the team, like most of us.

Mass Designer (er, Nerder haha)... - I think a rebuild can still retain the fans. This city is hockey-mad to begin with, has quite a bit higher average wealth per person than back in the 90's (I would imagine), the dollar is better, and even casual fans (the most important type of fan) aren't oblivious to the fact that Iginla isn't a spring chicken anymore.

If marketed properly, and the right people are put in charge of a rebuild... I see no reason for this team to lose fans if they go that route. I know if they do, and someone's season tickets open up somewhere, I'll snatch them up in a New York minute (and I'm sure others will try as well).

[IamNotKenKing]

Originally Posted by Jackpot_Smooth

I seem to recall whe feaster first came in he said that he isn't the guy for a rebuild and he was here to win now. Something along those lines anyways.

I believe he said he did not want to do a burn it to the ground style rebuild, which I don't believe anyone wants. As many have said, a re-tool, if done properly (key word) can be effective, and in my opinion, more effective than a blow it up re-build. We have a good middle-aged group, we need to ship out the older, for younger/picks, and we should (again, key word) be fine.

[Vinny01]

I for one think this team can become sellers at the deadline and still build a competitive team next year. They need to realize this season is lost and a potential franchise changer is waiting to be selected at te draft. Clear up a ton of cap space and get multiple picks and prospects. For example maybe the Ducks look to move Ryan at the draft and want picks and prospects in return. If the flames get more picks they might have the assets to pounce. It is like the Thrashers/Jets who used assets from deadline firesales to bring in Buff and Ladd. I think there will be several teams that will be willing to move good players for picks at the draft to get under the cap

Flames better not just trade Stempniak for a 2nd and Sarich for a 5tj and recoup the picks we already traded away then stand pat. I want to collect assets, get a top 5 pick and rebuild this team through the draft and free agency. The most important currency moving into the summer is going to be picks, prospects, and cap space. The flames have none of that now but could be flush with it on April 4th if they do it right

[Miniac]

Originally Posted by flambers

Flames will once again try to "Buy" at the trade deadline.... Challenge is they have very few assets.

I doubt the Ownership will approve of the concept of Selling.. (i.e. Iginla and Bouwmeeter etc).

My guess, Flames will stand pat.

Stand pat and finish 9th!

[Huntingwhale]

Originally Posted by Stanley

Hearing how Ken King said he sees the fans still very supportive of our on-ice product despite a rocky season thus far pretty much says it all. Or maybe I'm reading into that too much, but really I'll be shocked if the Flames make any significant moves at the deadline, particularly as sellers. I'll see flying pig-elephants in the sky before I see them trading Jarome Iginla.

I remember hearing this as well. I'd sure as hell like to know exactly where he is meeting these knowledgeable fans who are supportive with the teams direction. He must be talking with elementary school kids, because any Flames fan with an ounce of hockey knowledge knows that this team has no direction.

[troutman]

CGY could have 2-4 first round picks this year. Make it so.

[Joborule]

Flames schedule up to the trade deadline is actually pretty favorable since they only play two current playoff teams in the next 7 games before the deadline. So Flames likely will be in around the playoff bubble position that Flames do absolutely nothing, or trade their first for a marginal player. I've come to accept that Flames management is going to do the wrong thing here which continues to screw the team for the future.

[Vinny01]

"Intellectual honesty" when will we actually see the organization stand by that statement?

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Flames better not just trade Stempniak for a 2nd and Sarich for a 5tj and recoup the picks we already traded away then stand pat.

You really think we can get a 5th for Sarich at this point in his career? Dare to dream!

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Cali Flames Fan

You really think we can get a 5th for Sarich at this point in his career? Dare to dream!

That is irreleveant I was just giving an example of a trade the gives us the pick back that we lost from the Wideman trade.

[Bend it like Bourgeois]

Of all the weird ways hockey fans get hot and bothered (Jason Morgan on waivers!!!) the weirdest one is when people get looney when the flames do exactly what they said they were going to do.

They are not going to trade players for magic beans and join the oilers in the race to the bottom.
They will try and improve the team today if they can, though they wont spend much if anything on older players. A younger player is absolutely possible.
I dont think anyone on the team is 'safe', though some players control their own destinies, and they are unlikley to make moves for the sake of it.
Iginla will go if he wants to go.

Same as last years deadline. Same as last summer.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by flambers

Flames will once again try to "Buy" at the trade deadline.... Challenge is they have very few assets.

I doubt the Ownership will approve of the concept of Selling.. (i.e. Iginla and Bouwmeeter etc).

My guess, Flames will stand pat.

Ownership didn't approve selling in years past because we actually had a chance at the playoffs. If we are actually out of it I think this year could be different.

[The Yen Man]

Originally Posted by Cali Flames Fan

You really think we can get a 5th for Sarich at this point in his career? Dare to dream!

Actually, I do think he can get a 5th. Contrary to popular belief, a 5th rounder isn't really worth that much. I can see a team at the trade deadline looking for some veteran leadership / depth dman for a playoff run easily paying that for Sarich.

[Zulu29]

I just don't understand managements apparent phobia of the so called rebuild. First there are the economics that have changed since the late 90's early 2000's, they aren't in danger of losing their team to Jacksonville Florida or somewhere obscure. I would even argue that fans are more "in touch" with their team than ever through social media and sports shows 24/7. Fans aren't dumb and they'll still support the team (we're here now aren't we?).

Would they rather have a team sitting 30-25 with mid 30's multi million dollar players or a team sitting 30-25 with teen/early 20's players making less or just over a million with potential to be stars?

They are in the entertainment business. I'd rather watch a 22 year old kid bust his hump out there than some mid 30's dude who floats around wondering what he's gonna spend his millions on.