Article: Season Ticket Holder Meeting Notes and Info

[getbak]

Originally Posted by flamesrule14

-Feaster is taking a redeye to Toronto tonight to join with all the scouting and management at the combine. Have over 20 interviews tomorrow and are even taking a player out for dinner. If I was understanding correctly it sounded like the player was Nichushkin.

Feaster confirmed that the kid they're taking out is European, but wouldn't for sure say it was Nichushkin, although, the guy asking the question was pushing in that direction. It could be Barkov or Lindholm. Based on how Feaster talked about Nichushkin later in the session, it didn't sound like they were too interested in him, so I could see the kid they're taking to dinner being one of the other Euros. We need spies scouring the Toronto restaurants tomorrow.

It was also interesting that he mentioned they're going to be bringing some of the kids to Calgary over the next few weeks to do some additional testing. Perhaps the kid they're taking to dinner won't be able to travel to Calgary, so they wanted to talk to him now (could be Barkov who isn't doing the physical testing because of his surgery).

Originally Posted by flamesrule14

Said six other teams had an offer sheet out, including one team who's GM said in an interview they knew about the waivers. Clear shot at Gillis I assume.

Yes, I took it as a shot at Gillis. Gillis is the only GM I saw who said he knew about the waiver issue. There were also rumours right after the Flames signed the Offer Sheet that said Vancouver was also preparing an offer (which Gillis denied).

I thought it was interesting that Feaster mentioned that they had been in frequent contact with the League for clarifications about things in the MOU, including questions about a UFA player who had played in Europe after the start of the season who they knew would need to clear waivers. He also said they had spoken to the league about other aspects of the way they structured the O'Reilly offer, and no one ever brought up any concerns about the need for waivers on him.



Funny question at the end of the session. The guy asked if Feaster was happy when Erixon got traded to Columbus, and Feaster gave a very enthusiastic yes in response.

[longsuffering]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

I did leave some specifics out just because there was a lot of things that were said in confidence as they did not know that I would be there (they didn't think any media or amateur media in my case was there) so I tried to give the most important details without mentioning quite a bit of the behind the scenes stuff that they might not otherwise mentioned.

Originally Posted by Envitro

I was going to post the same last night after getting back from the meeting, but shared OP's sentiments about keeping things that were said private to a certain degree as some things were said that I thought should not necessarily be public record.

I thought this garbage was addressed in last's years thread. I have to laugh at people like you thinking they're part of a special club privy to insider info. It was so confidential it was announced to season ticket holders, meaning anyone willing to buck up for tickets.

The Flames tried to make you feel 'special' and you fell for it.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by sun

Surprised about Nemisz. Not surprised about Irving, but definitely disappointed. Another poor first round pick even though he showed some promise from time to time.

I'm not in the slightest. This is the first year Nemisz has taken a step back in his development and it was in a year he missed all of camp and a decent portion of the season due to injuries. Also he had some horrible luck around the net offensively once he did get it going. Nemisz is still excellent defensively, a very good penalty killer, great along the boards and is one of the few big bodied prospects we have.

Doesn't make sense to give up on him right after his ELC when he was always expected to be a bit of a project. Especially when there will be probably be 6 or 7 other minor league forwards that will not see a contract renewal and a couple other Heat regulars could be regulars in the NHL.

I think Nemisz will very much be looked upon as a leader with Abbotsford next season.

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by longsuffering

I thought this garbage was addressed in last's years thread. I have to laugh at people like you thinking they're part of a special club privy to insider info. It was so confidential it was announced to season ticket holders, meaning anyone willing to buck up for tickets.

The Flames tried to make you feel 'special' and you fell for it.

It has nothing to do with feeling special at all. If it wasn't for the fact I'm doing the podcast thing I wouldn't even have bothered going because it's mostly standard stuff, which is what I reported on in the article. The behind the scenes stuff that was shared about various players is not the worst of the stuff I have heard over the years from various people that I know, but it's all stuff that doesn't really matter much. It's all high school gossip level bs. It's not important information at all in my opinion, so I didn't share it. If it was important behind the scenes stuff, I'm sure that it'd be either on Sportsnet or wouldn't be shared at all.

Nice assumption though.

[Max Cow Disease]

Originally Posted by flamesrule14

Feaster is a great speaker and I really do like him. He seems very passionate and I really do believe they are heading in the right direction.

He's a smooth talker for sure, but same here. You can tell from his responses that there's a high level of passion for what he's doing, and he strongly defends what he's done. He also acknowledged where mistakes have been made, including (and this was of particularly interesting note) with the scouting decisions made during his tenure in Tampa. He isn't anywhere near as idiotic as many on here make him out to be, and much of the important decision making (wisely) has been deferred to guys like Weisbrod. His explanation of the methodology that went into the Jankowski pick was cool to hear.

So, were any of the questions asked tonight done so by CP'ers? I happen to know of a few that certainly were.

[Hockey_Ninja]

Originally Posted by flamesrule14

-Going to be very agressive in trying to get into the top three. Will not drop down though whatsoever. They will be picking 6 at the worst. And if so they feel they can still get a great player with that pick.

-Speaking of Nichushkin it sounded like they weren't sold on him coming over. Seemed very aware that despite what he is saying they are not so sure Dynamo is just going to let him take off to the NHL. I don't think they take him if he is available.

This should calm a lot of people down.

[da_nige]

Originally Posted by flamesrule14

-Ortio is coming over and they hope he becomes the number 1 in Abbotsford. Ramo will be signed as soon as they can sign him and he'll compete for the starter job along with Berra and McDonald.

Was anything more said on this?

If Feaster is hoping Ortio becomes the starter in Abbotsford where does that leave the guy who misses out in Calgary?

Assuming 34 retires Ramo, Berra and MacDonald are competing for 2 places. By saying he hopes Ortio is the starter in Abby that implies to me that MacDonald was signed as a "just in case" therefore implying he doesn't have a lot of confidence in the guys he has traded for.

Am I reading too much into something that isn't there?

[taxbuster]

Originally Posted by getbak

Funny question at the end of the session. The guy asked if Feaster was happy when Erixon got traded to Columbus, and Feaster gave a very enthusiastic yes in response.

I'm not at all surprised -- I was at a STH meet and greet just after the Erixon debacle and the Flames (KK and JF) were *pissed* about him and what he did, and were not quiet about expressing their anger. There's a post about it somewhere...

[Erick Estrada]

Sounds like management is pretty sour on Tangay. I don't see any team trading for Tangs contract unless they are sending a bad contract back. If the team can't move Tangs wouldn't it be best just to buy him out if it's going to become an ongoing problem? I just don't see Tanguay changing his spots going forward. He is what he is at this point.

[flambers]

Originally Posted by da_nige

Was anything more said on this?

If Feaster is hoping Ortio becomes the starter in Abbotsford where does that leave the guy who misses out in Calgary?

Assuming 34 retires Ramo, Berra and MacDonald are competing for 2 places. By saying he hopes Ortio is the starter in Abby that implies to me that MacDonald was signed as a "just in case" therefore implying he doesn't have a lot of confidence in the guys he has traded for.

Am I reading too much into something that isn't there?

I would think its one of Ramo/Berra & MacDonald. Basically one of Ramo or Berra will be demoted.

Flames are going to require an experienced backup type of goalie.

Assuming 34 retires.

[calgARI]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Sounds like management is pretty sour on Tangay. I don't see any team trading for Tangs contract unless they are sending a bad contract back. If the team can't move Tangs wouldn't it be best just to buy him out if it's going to become an ongoing problem? I just don't see Tanguay changing his spots going forward. He is what he is at this point.

His contract isn't bad at all - 3.5 for 3 more years for a guy who produces .75 ppg. There are guys making twice that with contracts twice as long producing at that clip or less.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by calgARI

His contract isn't bad at all - 3.5 for 3 more years for a guy who produces .75 ppg. There are guys making twice that with contracts twice as long producing at that clip or less.

His contract isn't terrible but I don't think he's a player that teams would want to take on for 3 years. The league fully knows at this point he's somewhat soft, one-dimensional, and can be a pouter. I just don't see a lot of interest although you never know as an offensively challenged team like the Predators could consider him although he doesn't seem to be a Barry Trotz type of player.

[bubbsy]

Originally Posted by calgARI

His contract isn't bad at all - 3.5 for 3 more years for a guy who produces .75 ppg. There are guys making twice that with contracts twice as long producing at that clip or less.

if he's going to continue to pout and not be a leader out there on what will be a younger group, then there's no use for him on this roster. We saw what pouty tanguay looks like post deadline, useless, giveaway machine, little to no compete.

if he isn't bought out, i hope the flames aren't scared to have him be a healthy scratch if he continues to pout.

[gunnner]

Any mention of Roman Horak by Feaster? I am really hoping they dont bring in center and go with Backlund, Stajan, Horak, and the first draft pick.

[nik-]

I hope it's Lindholm they're taking to dinner. They can go to IKEA!

[Gary83]

Originally Posted by gunnner

Any mention of Roman Horak by Feaster? I am really hoping they dont bring in center and go with Backlund, Stajan, Horak, and the first draft pick.

Hope we have another shortened season then.

[Incogneto]

Originally Posted by nik-

i hope it's lindholm they're taking to dinner. They can go to ikea!

horse meatballs!!!!

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by browna

Can teams trade away a player, have that team use an amnesty buyout, and then original team then re sign the guy?

The Flames get Lecavalier and the third pick for Flames garbage that they would be buying out plus say the 22nd pick. Flames promptly buy him out, and Tampa resigns him.
Costs the Flames owners a ton of real money for the buyout, but no cap space and they shed some space of their own. With the new rules, Tampa can trade some of that cap space as well as part of the deal if they wanted.

Obviously highly unlikely, but the Flames could do Tampa a favour getting them out from that contract, but Tampa keeps him in the end, and in turn the Flames basically buy the 3rd overall pick, and use up one of their buyouts.

This is a creative concept but I just don't think Tampa will trade down 19 spots to save money on Vinny and keep a 33 year old around at a better price.

I do think the Flames ownership would be interested in this move as it accelerates the rebuild substaintially in my opinion. Adding Drouin and Lindholm would be massive. The quicker the Flames add some marquee names and get back to the playoffs the more money the owners will make.

[Vinny01]

One other thing I found interesting was talking about the Iginla trade.

The day of the trade Feaster, King, ownership tried to sell Iggy on Boston. They worked extremely hard to get him to waive for the Bruins. Iggy stated he would never forgive himself if the Pens won the cup and they were his choice.

I think the Flames handled the whole situation with class and Jarome had the right to use his NMC but I can't help but feel slightly bitter. I was all in on Pitt but wouldn't mind Boston winning now after that development.

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by calgARI

His contract isn't bad at all - 3.5 for 3 more years for a guy who produces .75 ppg. There are guys making twice that with contracts twice as long producing at that clip or less.

The contract is not bad at all. The only problem is this is probably the worst off season to try and trade $3.5 million without taking anything back. I just don't see anyway a team is going to give up a 2nd or 3rd for him this year. Maybe the flames want him gone so badly that he is traded for a 6th or 7th.