Feaster to address media today @ noon (June 14)

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by timbit

Poor Anton Babchuk....abused and underused.

Babchuk is Ukranian...

[FAN]

Originally Posted by blankall

Butler is a very solid piece IMO. He's not ready to be a top pairing d-man and may never be, but he's developing slowly into a solid #4 that can step up to the top pairing in the case of injuries.

Given his age and salary, I just don't get the hate.

You can't be serious. Butler is a dime a dozen player whose upside is now considered limited. That means he's on his way to becoming a 6th/7th defenseman in the NHL and maybe out of the NHL. I would be very surprised if Butler isn't demoted to the AHL before he turns 30.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by FAN

You can't be serious. Butler is a dime a dozen player whose upside is now considered limited. That means he's on his way to becoming a 6th/7th defenseman in the NHL and maybe out of the NHL. I would be very surprised if Butler isn't demoted to the AHL before he turns 30.

As long as Feaster is here (maybe not long if the shake up happens), Butler will be too. He has to protect his boy so it appears he didn't get taken.

[ricardodw]

Who is the best player that Barkov has gone head to head with in league play?

Are there any guys in Barkov's league that will be solid NHLers with 2 years? Marcus Granlund does well in that league....... anyone planning on him making the Flames in 2-3 years.

The best players in his league are not even high level AHL calibre... not as good as Kolanos.

Same question for Lindholm?

How can you tell how good they are when they never get to play against guys with the talent and ability to play in the NHL?

The better Swedes and Finns that are not good enough for the NHL go play in the KHL.

The Flames had the best player in the KHL on their roster last year......


The league that Monahan plays in has at least 3-6 centres that will be playing in the NHL on a regular basis likely within the next year, 2 years on the outside. Jenner, Schiffle, Strome. I didn't see the games, but if Monahan was able to hold his own against these guys, it is far more impressive than Barkov playing 35 year old Ville Niemenin to a standstill.

If the Flames don't get Monahan I would be very comfortable with them trading #6 to Columbus for #14 and #19 or the #10 and #24 from the Stars.

[getbak]

Video up: http://video.flames.nhl.com/videocen...259196&lang=en

[VladtheImpaler]

Last time Jay needs to put on a suit for work?

[Badger Bob]

Originally Posted by blankall

Butler is a very solid piece IMO. He's not ready to be a top pairing d-man and may never be, but he's developing slowly into a solid #4 that can step up to the top pairing in the case of injuries.

Maybe on an AHL team.

[jeffman]

I think Butler has a place in the NHL, but in a role similar to Bartowski in Boston

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by VladtheImpaler

Last time Jay needs to put on a suit for work?

You're suggesting a successful lawyer, who moved onto the OHL and then the NHL, and has worn a suit for every job he's had since becoming a lawyer and will likely put a suit for every job in his future, may be needing to put on a suit for the last time at this minor press conference?

[VladtheImpaler]

Originally Posted by flameswin

You're suggesting a successful lawyer, who moved onto the OHL and then the NHL, and has worn a suit for every job he's had since becoming a lawyer and will likely put a suit for every job in his future, may be needing to put on a suit for the last time at this minor press conference?

I am suggesting his next (and only hockey-related) job will be blogging for THN.

[FlameZilla]

Originally Posted by ricardodw

Who is the best player that Barkov has gone head to head with in league play?

Are there any guys in Barkov's league that will be solid NHLers with 2 years? Marcus Granlund does well in that league....... anyone planning on him making the Flames in 2-3 years.

The best players in his league are not even high level AHL calibre... not as good as Kolanos.

Same question for Lindholm?

How can you tell how good they are when they never get to play against guys with the talent and ability to play in the NHL?

The better Swedes and Finns that are not good enough for the NHL go play in the KHL.

The Flames had the best player in the KHL on their roster last year......


The league that Monahan plays in has at least 3-6 centres that will be playing in the NHL on a regular basis likely within the next year, 2 years on the outside. Jenner, Schiffle, Strome. I didn't see the games, but if Monahan was able to hold his own against these guys, it is far more impressive than Barkov playing 35 year old Ville Niemenin to a standstill.

If the Flames don't get Monahan I would be very comfortable with them trading #6 to Columbus for #14 and #19 or the #10 and #24 from the Stars.

Your argument (which you are rehashing all over the place) is that foreign professional leagues are inferior to the CHL.

The CHL, which is composed mainly of players between the ages of 16 & 20. Many of a draft-eligible CHLer's opponents would be underdeveloped physically, and in many cases much, much easier to play against than a hardened journeyman pro. It is acknowledged that a teenager that succeeds against fully physically mature, intelligent and skilled pros is likely to be a huge success in the NHL.

For the record -- since you have obviously have not looked into Barkov in depth -- Barkov played on the same line as 35-year-old Ville Niemenen. Rather than playing on the same line as a 19/20 year old 'veteran' CHLer, Barkov has been getting invaluable experience playing with a seasoned veteran pro with loads of experience.

Also worth having a butch at this: http://blogs.edmontonjournal.com/201...eter-forsberg/

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by VladtheImpaler

I am suggesting his next (and only hockey-related) job will be blogging for THN.

Jay will wear a suit again, Vlad. Don't worry about that. You may not like him as GM (and you really beat that point so we all know all the time), but he's a successful lawyer, and has had success at the NHL level.

If he ends up blogging at the hockey news again, it'll be because it's what he wants to do while waiting for another NHL job, not because it's the best he can do.

Sorry, I just always get irked by the way people talk about NHL figures when they aren't successful, like they're complete garbage. Making it suond like a guy like Feaster could get fired as GM of the Flames, then head out to Law firms in Calgary with a resume and have them all go "Jay Feaster? Yeah no, sorry buddy, I saw what you did with the Flames, we don't have a place for you here, your career is done. If I were you, I'd just retire all my suits, buy some comfrotable sweat pants and start blogging, that'll be the best you can do, going forward".

[Goodlad]

Originally Posted by ricardodw

If the Flames don't get Monahan I would be very comfortable with them trading #6 to Columbus for #14 and #19 or the #10 and #24 from the Stars.

Just so we're clear, if the Calgary pick at number 6 came up and Monahan was off the board you would rather trade the pick away than draft Barkov?

[oldschoolcalgary]

Butler seems to have a ceiling at 5, for the average NHL team at least...

I am surprised that people still think he is capable of more than that?

The trade talk frightens me, as it seems like Feaster is hell bent on proving himself as being the smartest guy in the NHL...Instead of the no brainer at 6, like Lidholm, he's going to make a trade or a reach.

Just a sinking feeling I have...

[oldschoolcalgary]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Yeah I must have missed the thread where Lindholm had been downgraded to chopped liver. The Hockey News has him ranked 4th overall and while they are just a rag their rankings over they year have been fairly close to where players have been picked. He's a pretty good consolation prize if Barkov and Monahan are both gone by 6 and I believe he's a bit better a prospect than the Domi's and Horvat's in the draft.

Agreed.

I think everyone has a subjective preference, but to think that any of us can parse the future between those three players is pretty foolhardy.

I would pick Lindholm if all three were available, but would gladly pick either Barkov or Monahan at 6 if Lindholm was gone by then.

[VladtheImpaler]

Originally Posted by flameswin

Jay will wear a suit again, Vlad. Don't worry about that. You may not like him as GM (and you really beat that point so we all know all the time), but he's a successful lawyer, and has had success at the NHL level.

If he ends up blogging at the hockey news again, it'll be because it's what he wants to do while waiting for another NHL job, not because it's the best he can do.

Sorry, I just always get irked by the way people talk about NHL figures when they aren't successful, like they're complete garbage. Making it suond like a guy like Feaster could get fired as GM of the Flames, then head out to Law firms in Calgary with a resume and have them all go "Jay Feaster? Yeah no, sorry buddy, I saw what you did with the Flames, we don't have a place for you here, your career is done. If I were you, I'd just retire all my suits, buy some comfrotable sweat pants and start blogging, that'll be the best you can do, going forward".

Well, (1) has he worked as a lawyer?, (2) he can't work as a lawyer here and (3) it's been so long since he has been a lawyer, there is little chance of him going back to it. You are working way too hard to split hairs here. I was simply making an insinuation, based on the "Dowbiggen..." thread, that this may be his last appearance as Flames' GM... Jebus willing.

[djsFlames]

Monahan gets bonus points from me just cause he's Canadian. I may be biased in an irrelevant sense, but I'd hate to be a Canadian team with a roster full of Swedes, Czechs and Russians, and if we ever did win a championship down the road, have to watch the cup spend all its time overseas. Part of me just really wants the new leaders of this team to be home grown.

Lol I wish Barkov was Canadian.. too bad, but if they can move into a position to get him without giving up our few good youngsters, then you must do it. But if we can't I sure hope to hell that Feaster isn't going to disregard Lindholm. His talent is widely seen as top line elite.

[T@T]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Yeah I don't get the fixation that the guy has to come in right away and compete for a job. Sounds like they would rather pick a guy that is more ready over a possibly better player that may take longer which is stupid. Sadly I don't believe this is fluff as it's probably more the owners not having the patience to see things out properly.

It's called please the paying fans 101, as a TV,internet fan you might not like it for the long term good but this ownership wants something for the ticket holders to talk about after spending $300.00 a game. And when Feaster says he wants into the top 5 he really means he and ownership wants Mackinnon.

This is a very important time for the Flames, they want a new building within 3 years and they need excitement for the team from the fans now.

[bucksmasher]

Originally Posted by atb

That's great to hear, but it's just setting up for backlash if/when nothing happens. While sometimes Sutter was maddeningly closed mouth at times, it was preferred to Feaster's big talking. If you're going to do something, then do it and talk about it after the fact. If nothing happens, don't talk about how close you were to having something done.

when you have to shoot, shoot.......don't talk.....

[ricardodw]

Originally Posted by FlameZilla

Your argument (which you are rehashing all over the place) is that foreign professional leagues are inferior to the CHL.

The CHL, which is composed mainly of players between the ages of 16 & 20. Many of a draft-eligible CHLer's opponents would be underdeveloped physically, and in many cases much, much easier to play against than a hardened journeyman pro. It is acknowledged that a teenager that succeeds against fully physically mature, intelligent and skilled pros is likely to be a huge success in the NHL.

For the record -- since you have obviously have not looked into Barkov in depth -- Barkov played on the same line as 35-year-old Ville Niemenen. Rather than playing on the same line as a 19/20 year old 'veteran' CHLer, Barkov has been getting invaluable experience playing with a seasoned veteran pro with loads of experience.

Also worth having a butch at this: http://blogs.edmontonjournal.com/201...eter-forsberg/

The goal of the Euro elite leagues is not to develop NHL ready players.

The article has Forsberg as the gold standard. He got drafted in 1991 ... he broke into the NHL in 1994-95.

Jokinen Drafted 3rd overall in 1997.... It took him 5 years and 3 teams before he was really NHL ready. 5 years after his draft he had a career best 29 points in 80 games.

The Sedins took 5 years after they were drafted to develop into top line players.

Nicolas Backstrom 1 extra year in Sweden, Sundin (freak of nature) 1 extra year in Sweden and Fosberg (3 extra years) are the only 1st round picks that were developed in the euro elite leagues and made an impact when they jumped to the NHL.

That article kind of points out that you have to be patient with players who learn their craft in the top Swedish/Finnish leagues and that they need 3 or 4 years in North America to live up to their potential... unless they are 6-5 235


Smaller ice surface, less room and more hitting along with culture change / travel , and playing many more games... makes sense.

Are Barkov and Lindholm 4 years away from being a top line players in the NHL?