Feaster credibility with fan base on the line

[Flames Draft Watcher]

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.

We should be afraid that Feaster will try to acquire good young centres? That's one thing I'm not afraid of.

Don't think our 1st round pick will be play at this years deadline unless its for a Couturier type.

[Five-hole]

Originally Posted by Zulu29

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.

And if they can't figure out that the ga-ga over the youthful Oilers is a marketable commodity that other markets could tap in to, god help them. With the fervour in this country over the draft and the World Juniors, people love youth and will show up to watch them.

I think they might be figuring out that this city is frustrated with what has amounted to the status quo for the past couple years. At least, I hope they are.

[FakenHaken]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

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

^^^This and as Eric Duhatschek spoke on the fan. Very important decisions need to be made.

Go into your war room with "all" the owners (IE not just Murray Edwards), the president, the special assistant to the GM, the assistant GM, and the coaches. Come up with the consensus of ok we are not good enough to make it right now on March 19, 2013 if the season ended today. Why/why not? Can we make the decision to go for it and go for it is the Stanley Cup not just 8th place when we have been in the same position for the last 4 years and we've never pushed to even just get 8. Is 8 good enough as it was last year, are we good enough to do what LA did? We decide to rebuild/retool. Why? Do we have a better opportunity to win the Stanley Cup in 2 years/ 3 years/ 5 years? Be honest not just with themselves, but be honest to each other and the franchise. Otherwise, if they can't my guess is they will begin to loose the fan base as they did in the young guns era. Very difficult decisions and decision paths if they are not absolutley honest.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by Southside

If we're being intellectually honest, the answers are not in the room. Will Feaster be fooled again? Will we be buyers, sellers or hiding under the table as trade deadline approaches? I think and hope that realities set in and this team moves some pieces for the future. I also think this is where we really find out what Feaster is made of. Perhaps a poll is in order, buyers, sellers or fortune tellers?

Feaster's credibility is only on the line if people are so naive to believe a rebuild is actually his choice.

[Zulu29]

Originally Posted by 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.

Statements like this make me wanna pull my hair out. Tell you what, stop everything you're doing, go to NHL.com and take a look at the standings. Then come back here and argue your position that we aren't joining the Oilers in a race for the bottom.

We should thank our lucky stars that the Oilers have worse management than ours because if they had people that were somewhat competent in their jobs and did a better job of drafting and trading we'd be in a solo race to the bottom.

[EddyBeers]

Originally Posted by 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.

This year the Oilers would have to start losing to join the Flames in the race to the bottom.

[$ven27]

I hope we bomb every game leading to the deadline so it will influence management to make serious changes, they've milked Kipper and Iggy long enough.

[smalltownref]

Originally Posted by 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.

True... but that's from a fan's opinion. Lets be honest... the Flames are a business and if they feel like the mid 30's dude will give them a better chance at winning a cup or even making the playoffs right now than that 22 year old kid who busts his hump out there each and every night, my money is that they will go with the mid 30's dude. I am interested to know what teams make in terms of profit if they make the playoffs... personally I think that may be the biggest driving factor as to why the Flames management has been so driven to win now for so many years.

The biggest problem the Flames face is that the core of the team is aging. There is no more 'up' side to the core players, they definitely aren't getting any better. What the Flames need to do is rebuild the foundation so they can be competitive for years to come. From a financial standpoint, if management is looking purely at $$, by selling off assets before the end of a shortened season, they may be able to bring in guys who can carry the team for years to come. Quite a while ago a few of my buddies (who don't cheer for the Flames) couldn't fathom the team signing Iginla, Kipper, Regher and Phaneuf (although I stand to be corrected) all at the same time. The team needs new blood. It's an opportunity cost the team simply has to take on if the team wants to be a legitimate contender for years to come.

[Southside]

Originally Posted by Alberta_Beef

Feaster's credibility is only on the line if people are so naive to believe a rebuild is actually his choice.

He is the GM. If he has no choice, clearly he has no credibility.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by Southside

He is the GM. If he has no choice, clearly he has no credibility.

He has bosses to answer to. It is part of his job to follow ownership mandate. That should not affect his credibility, it should effect the credibility of those above him.

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by Alberta_Beef

Feaster's credibility is only on the line if people are so naive to believe a rebuild is actually his choice.

Sadly yep. Even if Calgary lost every game until the deadline there would be no rebuild. More than likely their re-tool is getting 25-27 year olds back in trade. I could see Iggy, if he said it was time, being the only main guy traded at the deadline. JBO, Cammi, Gio, ect., would probably be traded in the summer in deals that involve players for players.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

Sadly yep. Even if Calgary lost every game until the deadline there would be no rebuild. More than likely their re-tool is getting 25-27 year olds back in trade. I could see Iggy, if he said it was time, being the only main guy traded at the deadline. JBO, Cammi, Gio, ect., would probably be traded in the summer in deals that involve players for players.

I think someone will be traded, but for no reason other than wanting to avoid using a compliance buyout this summer.

[Southside]

Originally Posted by Alberta_Beef

He has bosses to answer to. It is part of his job to follow ownership mandate. That should not affect his credibility, it should effect the credibility of those above him.

There is the rub. Feaster said he would be active last year and nothing. He said the organization had to be intellectually honest. He said he had been fooled twice. His words. So, he has already lost credibility with many. The next 2 weeks should be revealing.

[Zulu29]

Originally Posted by smalltownref

True... but that's from a fan's opinion. Lets be honest... the Flames are a business and if they feel like the mid 30's dude will give them a better chance at winning a cup or even making the playoffs right now than that 22 year old kid who busts his hump out there each and every night, my money is that they will go with the mid 30's dude. I am interested to know what teams make in terms of profit if they make the playoffs... personally I think that may be the biggest driving factor as to why the Flames management has been so driven to win now for so many years.

The biggest problem the Flames face is that the core of the team is aging. There is no more 'up' side to the core players, they definitely aren't getting any better. What the Flames need to do is rebuild the foundation so they can be competitive for years to come. From a financial standpoint, if management is looking purely at $$, by selling off assets before the end of a shortened season, they may be able to bring in guys who can carry the team for years to come. Quite a while ago a few of my buddies (who don't cheer for the Flames) couldn't fathom the team signing Iginla, Kipper, Regher and Phaneuf (although I stand to be corrected) all at the same time. The team needs new blood. It's an opportunity cost the team simply has to take on if the team wants to be a legitimate contender for years to come.

They are a business and are in it to make money. We are fans and we provide them that money. Their business model of mid 30's millionaires has failed. They need to change direction. If they continue on this path of mediocrity you'd think revenue will go down but certainly team competitiveness will go down which goes against their apparent desire to win the cup.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

It really will depend if we are clearly out of the playoffs. If we are I really don't see the Flames adding or standing pat. However if they do I don't know which vets or how many they'd trade.

Also this comes down to Iginla. If this mediocrity is wearing on him and he's finally ready to move on then this would force ownership/management's hands.

[indes]

Same old, same old. We pray they see the writing on the wall but I bet we stand pat and then wonder why Feaster doesn't show his face on tv for the rest of the season.

This franchise has given me nothing to believe they will do the right thing and be sellers.

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by Alberta_Beef

I think someone will be traded, but for no reason other than wanting to avoid using a compliance buyout this summer.

I highly doubt the flames are thinking about "compliance buyout" route. They have cap space and players like Cammi, JBO, Kipper , Gio, ect will have worth next year at the deadline if they kept them. The only player before the season started that i thought would be bought out was Stajan. No chance he is bought out now, he has been our best forward this season.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Players to keep: Brodie, Baertschi, Backlund, Giordano, Stajan, Stempniak, Glencross, Hudler. The last 5 guys will be our "veterans" for a rebuilding team. Still leaves us with a decent top 6 forwards and top D pairing going forward. I wouldn't be upset with trading Wideman, but I recognize we aren't trading a guy we just signed to a long term deal, so throw him in that mix too.

Players to deal:
Jay Bouwmeester- the return for him at the moment would be really good and he has a palatable contract for this year and next for some team (*cough* Detroit *cough*) to make a deal for him.

Miikka Kiprusoff- under contract for next year as well, he could take a bubble team over the hump (Toronto, St. Louis, Tampa Bay, Philadelphia). His actual dollars next year are an absolute steal. He's a proven playoff performer. This opens the door for Ramo, Taylor, Brossoit, etc. to get a shot on a rebuilding club.

Alex Tanguay- Puts up points and adds offensive skill to any club. He has a few years left on his contract, but it's only 3.5 mill. Is a veteran and could be helpful for a team short on skilled forwards (Ottawa-injuries/retiring Alfie, New Jersey, Columbus, Nashville, Minnesota).

Mike Cammalleri- Only one year left on his deal after this one, so somebody could bite on his big salary. He's been putting up good points again this year and has shown versatility in the lineup. He's a big PP guy so could be a good fit for a good team with a bad PP (Detroit, NYR, Minnesota, Boston?)

Blake Comeau- Could be an ok utility player for a team needing speed, PK ability, and checking for a small cap hit and playoff run.

Chris Butler- Not that I think he's terrible, but he isn't helping us win anytime soon. Trade him for whatever draft picks/prospects you can.

Derek Smith- See Chris Butler.

Anton Babchuk- You never know...we traded for him at one point.

Player I am on the fence about: Jarome Iginla. I only say this because in my heart I would like him to retire as a Flame. If they worked out a deal with Pittsburgh to have him as a rental for these playoffs and come back to a reduced contract in the off-season. I'd be ok with that. I just can't imagine this team without him while he's still an active player. His return might be diminished as well, so is it really worth it to trade him? Just not sure anymore. Think Alfredsson in Ottawa, and he isn't nearly as important to the city as Jarome is to Calgary. I guess we'll see what happens soon...

Players nobody will take: Sarich, Jackman, Begin, McGrattan, Cervenka.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

We should be afraid that Feaster will try to acquire good young centres? That's one thing I'm not afraid of.

Don't think our 1st round pick will be play at this years deadline unless its for a Couturier type.

A good young centre is fine. A centre being paid like a 1st liner and eligible for UFA status in 3 or 4 seasons isn't worth it though, unless you are optimistic that this team will be going for it within 3 seasons (I am not sold), espeically if it ends up being a top 5 pick this season.

Despite O'Reilly's age, that move was not about the long term. So I am a little afraid that our 1st is still in play for the win-now crowd.

[browna]

As each passing day goes by without Feaster saying a word to the media about anything, the more it's clear that he's not got the power anymore (whatever power he had to begin with).

When's the last time we heard from Wisebrod (not that its role to speak, but haven't even heard of him, even though he seems like the smartest one of the bunch) or even heard his name referenced? I am sure he's working away, but he's the kind of guy that should be front and centre (behind the scenes) in making things happen, as he's the outside influence this year.

For whoever is in charge:
The Iginla situation is tricky with a lot of moving parts, which may not get resolved in the frenzy of the trade deadline.

If he goes, I think there's a domino effect. Tanguay is then rendered half the player he is, Cammalleri to a lesser extent.
Some guys who came here because of the leadership of Iginla see no reason to stay...etc etc.