Make the Playoffs Mandate for Next Year

[nik-]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

He only brought it up again because of the insane amount of crying about it earlier it seemed.

I'm no fan of Feaster but that was a funny thing to go ape-poop over.

Well, considering the "win now" mentality that we've had for years, it's a pretty terrifying thing to hear. Especially coming so quickly on the heels of what appeared to be an acceptance of the hole we're in.

[Anduril]

Like other posters, what is the point in playing the season if not for the playoffs?

If this team somehow manages to get in? Awesome! Just as long as they continue improve by adding young players and not handicapping the organization through huge contracts and NTCs.

[GirlySports]

There might be one year that making the playoffs isn't the goal.

That's not to say they should lose on purpose but they should let the kids do the best possible and where they finish doesn't matter.

[troutman]

The goal is to win the Stanley Cup, not "make the playoffs".

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

but without those two points happening, it's impossible to make the playoffs next year.

Not impossible... unlikely but not literally impossible. I think it's not a bad idea Phoenix pretty much does it like that and they've done alright on a shoestring budget.

Ultimately I like the committment to not being a willfull Oiler-esq loser.

[GGG]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

Why are people having such a hard time with this? As an immigrant, let me translate what Feaster said, since it doesn't seem to be in English:

"Mandate to make the playoffs next year" = "Not make the playoffs obviously, but don't play like a bunch of losers up North."

They want to keep a culture of competing in this franchise, even if they have no hope to win. Understand now?

The previous 3-4 years Mandate to make the playoffs meant sacrifice assets to get better now.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Jebus frickin Christos...guys this whole topic has been clarified. Stop obsessing over a moot point!

I'm embarrassed to be a Flames fan at the moment...and it's not because the team is bad.

[albertGQ]

I don't want to go through what the Oilers fans had to

I want playoffs next year. But not at all costs.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by troutman

The goal is to win the Stanley Cup, not "make the playoffs".

IIRC you don't win the cup without making the playoffs first.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by Parallex

Not impossible... unlikely but not literally impossible. I think it's not a bad idea Phoenix pretty much does it like that and they've done alright on a shoestring budget.

Ultimately I like the committment to not being a willfull Oiler-esq loser.

Phoenix just strives to survive and get 8th with a great coach. Never a championship contender. Yes i know they lucked into 3rd last year.

I'd like the Flames to build properly over the next 2 years and that probably involves a lot of experimentation and getting some young stars, not dulling it down and surviving 2-1 games like Phoenix. And the Flames aren't on a shoe-string budget, they can keep their stars if they get any.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Cali Flames Fan

Jebus frickin Christos...guys this whole topic has been clarified. Stop obsessing over a moot point!

I'm embarrassed to be a Flames fan at the moment...and it's not because the team is bad.

thoughts and prayers

[albertGQ]

Any team can win the Cup. You just need to make the playoffs first.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

IIRC you don't win the cup without making the playoffs first.

Originally Posted by troutman

The goal is to win the Stanley Cup, not "make the playoffs".

To me the goal is division titles and a contender in the playoffs. Home ice advantage at least. Flames need to build towards that, not pray for 8th.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by albertGQ

Any team can win the Cup. You just need to make the playoffs first.

Nah, you want to build a consistent contender which I think the Flames are trying to do. They were totally wrong in their approach previously and are taking a new approach to it.

We have three first round picks this summer and people are still whining.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

To me the goal is division titles and a contender in the playoffs. Home ice advantage at least. Flames need to build towards that, not pray for 8th.

Absolutely, I totally agree with that!

But you don't build that division title and contender over night. A team on the way to that probably sees the playoffs as a goal first. Nothing wrong with that at all.

I know the previous failed approach has people edgy and nervous so I'll chalk it up to that... but nothing Feaster said today was wrong.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

Why are people having such a hard time with this? As an immigrant, let me translate what Feaster said, since it doesn't seem to be in English:

"Mandate to make the playoffs next year" = "Not make the playoffs obviously, but don't play like a bunch of losers up North."

They want to keep a culture of competing in this franchise, even if they have no hope to win. Understand now?

To expound on this, being competitive doesnt mean forcing your kids to carry your team from the moment they show up.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by albertGQ

Any team can win the Cup. You just need to make the playoffs first.

And if you want to sneak in to 8th and go on a run, you need two of three things.

1. Stud goalie
2. Franchise player in the prime of their career
3. Airtight defensive system

Which of these are present in the Calgary Flames?

[flames_fan_down_under]

Did anyone actually listen to what he said? Does everyone just extrapolate and draw conclusions that fit their views?

Here is exactly what he said:

We want to get younger, we want to get faster, we feel we need to get bigger, and again it is a change in direction, we want to stockpile assets, we have to start building assets in the organisation. You know I made the comment today that the mandate is to make the playoffs next year, and people exploded that somehow or another this was a "the rebuilds over already, its done already" that wasn't the point, The point was that's always the goal, that's what we are going to work toward. The one thing we won't do and don't want to do is we don't want to be in a situation where we say it's alright to lose, you know we're young, we're inexperienced, next year for example, that's not gonna carry here. We wanna get better quicker, but we also wanna take the right steps. No post-apex players as John Weisbroad calls them. And again we have to go in a different direction.

then speaking of the summer he says :

its gonna be very very busy, i think what we've done is we have positioned ourselves for maximum flexibility, we have the ability to step up to the podium and make those picks, and i think there are gonna be some good draft picks. we like this draft. again we know there are teams that are gonna have cap trouble, we're not gonna bring in post apex players, but we think we're in a position to capitalise with some of those teams.

So the goal as an NHL organisation is to make the playoffs every year. That to me is likely the goal of every single other NHL team as well is it not? This to me doesn't signal shortsightedness or eyeing a 1 year rebuild its just a GM saying that losing is not OK. Which really is a pretty innocuous statement IMO.

He then talks about being a good position with lots of cap room and being able to hopefully get players that are left out due to teams needing to get under the salary cap. Not a bad position to be in. And actually echos exactly the original posters sentiment.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

Absolutely, I totally agree with that!

But you don't build that division title and contender over night. A team on the way to that probably sees the playoffs as a goal first. Nothing wrong with that at all.

I know the previous failed approach has people edgy and nervous so I'll chalk it up to that... but nothing Feaster said today was wrong.

Yes. But early success does scare me.

Looking back, do you think now that the 2004 cup run was somewhat detrimental to the team? Yes the run was fun, yes they won their only division title the following season but that team got blown apart so fast and assets given away for players like Stuart, Jokinen, Tanguay, Cammellari etc...

We could have drafted Fowler!! (I know I know)...

[djsFlames]

I don't see why thinking playoffs is a bad idea.

For one: Losing mentality. Can't have guys like MacKinnon stepping in next year to a team that's aiming at a second lottery pick, and getting used to that 'minset' right off the bat. Very bad effect on young players.

For two: Why the hell not? Wouldn't you rather be Ottawa than Edmonton? The Sens looked to be exactly where we are now 2 years ago, and they seem to be doing alright, if I'm not mistaken. If we pick our three 1st picks right, then it should establish a solid core to move forward with, (including Sven, Brodie). It shouldn't take us eight or nine 1sts over a couple years to get it right. Draft effectively with the multiple picks you have in the extra deep draft and make it count.

Why does a rebuild have to have a minimum 2-3 year time period? If these pick become impact players and we can push for an 8th seed next season with the mix of vets and kids, then can't we keep at it and actually start to draft and develop well like the San Jose's Detroits and Nashvilles, rather than expect to be another Columbus or Edmonton?

I'm sorry, but I don't object to a winning mentality. That is definitely a massive mistake that the Oilers organization made. Along with not putting enough quality veteran leaders on their team to shelter and mentor the younger players as they made the transition.

Pathetic development tactics by them. I'm glad that it appears we'll be attempting to take a different route.