Make the Playoffs Mandate for Next Year

[djsFlames]

Crosby changed the fortunes of Pittsburgh for many many years.

It's funny cause you wonder where the Flames would've picked in '05 if it weren't for Darryl's moves in 03/04, specifically the acquisition of Kiprusoff. It would've likely been in lottery territory.

'04 was truly amazing and in a way changed the fortunes of this team by rejuvinating the fanbase. But there's a chance it actually could've also prevented much greater, franchise altering acquisition/s.

Just a funny little thought. Which i'm sure has been passed around here already before.

[FAN]

As long as Feaster doesn't trade away futures to fulfill the mandate, the team should look towards acquiring players that helps the team make the playoffs while allowing the team's prospects (Sven, our three first rounders) to develop at their own pace.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by Hakan and the Loobs

If the mandate is to make the playoffs next year then why would you trade JBo? His trade leaves a glaring hole on the blue line that can't be replaced with any of our current prospects. Unless you believe Brodie can step up and take his place or you can find someone on the UFA, trade market, or draft, the trade doesn't make much sense.

They try to find every synonym possible other than rebuild just so they can tell everyone "No, we're not rebuilding" and here's the proof.....we only traded away 2 of our core players when it really should have included at least 1 more.

A few things here. Firstly, if the mandate is to make the playoffs, why would you keep JBo? He has never, ever, ever made the playoffs. Or proved to be a difference maker, or game breaker. And north of 6M, he should. There are few roster spots available for difference maker dollars. Getting a first and not taking back salary is admirable.

Sadly the majority of people are dazzled by what Bouw does and don't apparently notice what he doesn't do. Preventing GA. Consistently top 1-5 in the league in GA.

Management granted Iginla his wish. He recognized that playoffs this year were not happening and he wants to win. They never got him a center. Still fumbling here, so he is ok to go to Pitt.

So they have 7 M in cap hit that goes away and they get a first rounder.

Then they have Bouw. He too really wants to make the playoffs (but can't see the obvious chicken/egg situation in which he plays the leading role). He won't re-sign here, wants to hitch his cart to a contender. Of which he has never been a part. So if he sees Iggy gone, he won't re-sign. He does not bring the confidence, he piggybacks off of his leadership at best. Which is why 6.68 is a bad contract.

Fast forward. Next year is very, very unique with the new CBA. The cap goes down. By several million. (!)

Management makes a strategic decision. Moving from cap jail to a situation where there are millions (almost 10s of millions!) to spare, within the space of a year!

So they have 3 draft picks in the first round. Which could be taken as they sit. or used as assets... Not only that... Could re-sign Iggy if it made sense. But can also put together an analysis of cap situation of every team. This means identifying teams exposed by 800 K ELCS guys that can't afford the 2-3 M second contract and exploiting that situation.

This is a very unusual off season and given that they are out of the playoffs, Bouw's albatross contract, particulars of why he is overpaid aside, is worth way more in terms of optionality this unique cap-dropping year than his on ice play shows value.

This game against the Oil stunk. McDonald showed why he is a backup named after a fast food franchise and comparing to the last game, you could draw the conclusion that the Flames really miss Comeau's 2 way game. You can look at this any number of ways.

But at this point every little move has to be looked at in terms of the big picture. Dumping Bouw and getting a first while not taking back salary is almost a double win.

Kudos Feaster, don't mind the emotional bitching. Rock solid.

[Phanuthier]

Honestly, the "mandate to make the playoffs" is such a blind goal. Its like a dog chasing its own tail, and has no idea what to do. I don't profess to know more then the pro's, but I would like to think the direction to get there would be obvious:

1. cut down the goals again. Know how to lock it down when you are up 2-1, and the confidence in your team when you are up 2-1 then you can win a game. Its the easiest way to win a game, easier to prevent goals then score goals.

2. commitment to team defense. Quoting the great Ville Niemenen, 23 drivers for 1 bus.

3. build a core from the goaltender out... we need a starting goalie and No 1 D, badly. Forget that No 1 center fantasy, that comes after.

Honestly, we are 0/3 for those. So we're not even close. In the short term, what we need to see is:

a) consistency
b) pride for the logo... do NOT get blown out in your own barn, and try to be .500 or better in your own arena
c) while i don't think we need meat heads, we can't be physically intimidated and continue to be the smallest, softest team night in and night out

Here, we are also 0/3 as well... but this is easier to fix.

Start with the latter, then do the former, then we're on our way to talk about playoffs.. IMO.

[CliffFletcher]

The team's overriding goal should be drafting and developing an elite core.
It's secondary goal should be fostering total team buy-in to a new culture of outworking opposing teams every game.

If that results in the team making the playoffs, fine. But at this point, making the playoffs is incidental. Most fans know that. I don't understand why it's so hard for management to admit it publicly. Lots of pro sports teams openly admit they're rebuilding. It doesn't drive fans away - it actually helps set short-term expectations lower, while inspiring confidence in a long-term plan. And for the fans who only think in terms of the next handful of games, they can be safely ignored, because they're going to be unhappy for the next few seasons regardless of what management declare.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

The team's overriding goal should be drafting and developing an elite core.
It's secondary goal should be fostering total team buy-in to a new culture of outworking opposing teams every game.

If that results in the team making the playoffs, fine. But at this point, making the playoffs is incidental. Most fans know that. I don't understand why it's so hard for management to admit it publicly. Lots of pro sports teams openly admit they're rebuilding. It doesn't drive fans away - it actually helps set short-term expectations lower, while inspiring confidence in a long-term plan. And for the fans who only think in terms of the next handful of games, they can be safely ignored, because they're going to be unhappy for the next few seasons regardless of what management declare.

Feaster used the word rebuild with Roger Millions last night on Sportsnet, inbetween the 2nd and 3rd periods.

[Stay Golden]

Murray Edwards mandate for this team is absurd and poorly timed.
Every time i hear mindless rhetoric like this from Flames management it only makes me closer to decide not renewing our season tickets is the best decision for my family personally.

I want to hear as an investor in this team, accountability and realizing the facts of what lies ahead.
Is Murray Edwards used to making false projections in the Energy sector is this what we are seeing now with the Flames. False projections and forcing your department managers to meet them. To state them to be the fall guys for unrealistic demands.
Smoke in mirror statements like what KKing and the rest of the Flames management have habits of spewing only drives me further away from wanting to support their product and staying at home.

I do like that Fester added into his comment "his marching orders" It shows the unrealistic fantasy expectations of an owner that is failing to grasp what is probable.
I don't want a team that will lie down and see this season as a free pass either. I won't pay for it, but i don't want to see even more than that the Flames organization make ridiculous embarrassing comments like they do that just makes them look dysfunctional.

[oldschoolcalgary]

statements like this make it seem like the organization is rudderless...

pretty silly.

why not just make the mandate "win the stanley cup"? might as well go big or go home...

[Macho0978]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

What's funny about this thread and posters who seemingly hear what they want to hear, is that Feaster qualified his statements from this afternoon. He reiterated that the rebuild was still on but you don't want to accept losing.

He stated, again, that the Flames will not be going for players past their prime and instead focus on young players. Young players that they draft and produce themselves I'd imagine.

Does anyone have a problem with that, isn't that what everyone wants?

He also said that he likes this years draft and plans to draft the firsts we have. I get why everyone blew up after press conference but what he said in the intermission should have calmed everyone down. He said he will always try to improve the team but he also said they want to continue to stock pile assets

He also said they will try to take advantage of teams with cap issues next year. Who knows maybe there is a Rick Nash for depth guys type of trade available. Why pass that up?

[sa226]

I think the Flames need a better PR department. Or realize they are in Canada which means everything they say will be analyzed and magnified until the original meaning is a figment of our collective imaginations.

Regardless of what their plan is or what their intentions are, they need to talk a whole lot less about it. Feaster has had to clarify, take back or apologize for way too many things that he has said.

It wouldn't surprise me in the least if most other teams go through the exact same dialogue, controversy and internal arguments. They just don't talk about it.

Being transparent with the fans and media is an unecessary double edged sword.

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by Macho0978

He also said that he likes this years draft and plans to draft the firsts we have. I get why everyone blew up after press conference but what he said in the intermission should have calmed everyone down. He said he will always try to improve the team but he also said they want to continue to stock pile assets

He also said they will try to take advantage of teams with cap issues next year. Who knows maybe there is a Rick Nash for depth guys type of trade available. Why pass that up?

Why should posters calm down from one Feaster speech? He has said the same things in the past and done the exact opposite, ie trade clauses, getting bigger and younger.

The take advantage of cap issues is a pipe dream from Feaster. Other teams are going to buy out crap players not the future young good players.

Even if Feaster's plan is to go after RFA players on other teams, he is not alone. Other teams with cap space will do the same. In order to get those players he will have to make trades and the flames don't have any cheap prospects other than Sven and Brodie to make it happen.

I guess he could go the offer sheet route with the RFA's ,which would not be a bad idea for him, considering it looks like other GM's take adavantage at his negotiating skills during trades.

[saillias]

Originally Posted by sa226

I think the Flames need a better PR department. Or realize they are in Canada which means everything they say will be analyzed and magnified until the original meaning is a figment of our collective imaginations.

Regardless of what their plan is or what their intentions are, they need to talk a whole lot less about it. Feaster has had to clarify, take back or apologize for way too many things that he has said.

It wouldn't surprise me in the least if most other teams go through the exact same dialogue, controversy and internal arguments. They just don't talk about it.

Being transparent with the fans and media is an unecessary double edged sword.

I miss this about the D Sutter regime.

[timbit]

Build a freaking championship contending team.


Get a championship blueprint and look at filling in the boxes properly.


Yes, it will hurt. However, no more than the "wandering in the desert" over the last 4 years that focused on avoiding tough decisions, because of fantasies and poor planning.


Be patient and do it right.


Every championship contender has much of their core, usually the most dominant pieces, who were drafted and developed from within.


The Flames need to be honest, brutally honest and determine what pieces they do not have and go about filling those holes, through the draft, college free agency, Europe. There are plentiful voids.


Systematically and patiently, they need to fill #1C, #2C , #1 D, #2D, high scoring #1 winger, #1 power scoring winger, secondary power scoring winger and a #1 goalie.


Those players do not grow on trees. It will take a minimum of 4 years before those pieces are filled with championship calibre players who then go about the task of reaching their full maturity.


They started late. This will be a lengthy, difficult and arduous process. Good picks, many picks and good development.

Don't take the easy way out. That does not work, play it through.

[Corral]

Originally Posted by Dion

I think you're dead wrong. There will always be players looking for increased playing time and greater responsibility and challenge.

True enough. There is always a Matt Stajan or Blake Comeau looking for more playing time and increased responsibility. That has worked well here I suppose i meant to say no UFA with talent and a desire to win will come here in next long while- so "making the playoffs next year" is meaningless rhetoric from a desparate owner looking to sell tickets.

[Meers]

Well, given that a team with this level of talent will only be able to make the playoffs with strong goaltending and by implementing the trap, I'd say this announcement means that we can look forward to a new defence-first coach and Roberto Luongo in a Flames jersey next season.

[Pointman]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

It's funny cause you wonder where the Flames would've picked in '05 if it weren't for Darryl's moves in 03/04, specifically the acquisition of Kiprusoff. It would've likely been in lottery territory.

'04 was truly amazing and in a way changed the fortunes of this team by rejuvinating the fanbase. But there's a chance it actually could've also prevented much greater, franchise altering acquisition/s.

2002/03 Flames were still decent bubble team (NOT a lottery team) with young stars Iginla, Regehr and Leopold looking to break out. Even before 2003/04 it was a team on the rise already and there's no way that team would go down and pick first overall or even top 5 for that matter. The real franchise altering decision was not resigning Martin St.Louis.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by Stay Golden

Murray Edwards mandate for this team is absurd and poorly timed.
Every time i hear mindless rhetoric like this from Flames management it only makes me closer to decide not renewing our season tickets is the best decision for my family personally.

I want to hear as an investor in this team, accountability and realizing the facts of what lies ahead.
Is Murray Edwards used to making false projections in the Energy sector is this what we are seeing now with the Flames. False projections and forcing your department managers to meet them. To state them to be the fall guys for unrealistic demands.
Smoke in mirror statements like what KKing and the rest of the Flames management have habits of spewing only drives me further away from wanting to support their product and staying at home.

I do like that Fester added into his comment "his marching orders" It shows the unrealistic fantasy expectations of an owner that is failing to grasp what is probable.
I don't want a team that will lie down and see this season as a free pass either. I won't pay for it, but i don't want to see even more than that the Flames organization make ridiculous embarrassing comments like they do that just makes them look dysfunctional.

You are not an investor in this team any more than you are of the restaurants and bars you frequent.

FFS, get mad about what they are doing, contemplate where you are going to spend your money, but this sentiment of ownership is bullspit. You are owed.... NOTHING.

[Reaper]

Originally Posted by Pointman

The real franchise altering decision was not resigning Martin St.Louis.

No, concerning Martin St. Louis the mistake was giving him money to go away.

[dino7c]

St. Louis was waived and also not picked up in an expansion draft...29 other teams could have had him for nothing not just the Flames

[Yoho]

Originally Posted by Meers

Well, given that a team with this level of talent will only be able to make the playoffs with strong goaltending and by implementing the trap, I'd say this announcement means that we can look forward to a new defence-first coach and Roberto Luongo in a Flames jersey next season.

Yeah he'd waive to come here I'm sure