Calgary as a physical location isn't desirable, the weather sucks!
Define sucks...
I would much rather be snowboarding in minus ten, than trying to figure out which tree is going to give me the most relief from the scorching desert heat.... oh wait, there are no trees.
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I would much rather be snowboarding in minus ten, than trying to figure out which tree is going to give me the most relief from the scorching desert heat.... oh wait, there are no trees.
Ok, I'll bite... taken seconds ago from my office. No trees eh? and yeah, you're going to find NHLers putting their health at risk during the season snowboarding? and it sure is SCORCHING in AZ in the winter with average highs of a perfect 75F...
We're not comparing Calgary/AZ here, but the realities of why UFA's do not want to play in Calgary at the present time. Which in my opinion is because of the team, over location/weather.
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We're not comparing Calgary/AZ here, but the realities of why UFA's do not want to play in Calgary at the present time. Which in my opinion is because of the team, over location/weather.
Yes this is exactly my point to. Theres a lot of weather arguments going on in here, yours was the one I bit on. I could just as easily post a picture of a beautiful Calgary day to combat your "the weather sucks" comment.
The point I was making was that everyone has personal preferences on what type of city they want to live in, and what type of weather they deem to be acceptable. Arguing about who's weather is better or who's city is better is ridiculous. Its like arguing about movies or music.
There are a lot of reasons why Calgary is not an attractive market right now, weather is far from the top of that list. Especially considering the regions most of the players grew up in. Some people don't seem to grasp that (not meaning you).
As people mentioned before. If a player wants to go play in LA because he wants to sit on the beach, gaulk at women, and bounce around the hot night life then go for it. That player is not the guy I want on my team anyways.
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Kinda hilarious that you wonder if he's ever been to any of the cities and then make a ridiculously false statement about one of them just two paragraphs later. Look up Oakland County, particularly Bloomfield Hills. Guess where Datsyuk lives?
Yeah yeah, I know all about your precious Bloomfield Hills. Some of my most horrific memories are there. That's what I had in mind when I made that last post and there's nothing false about it. Even if it was all you wished it was, it's still a tiny little corner in a massive hell hole. I'm just glad my family finally took a hint and moved so I never have to go back there.
Not that Edmonton isn't a good place to raise a family, places like Sherwood Park and St. Albert are great communities, but he's right about the mountains argument, it's around 3 1/2 hours to get to the mountains from Edmonton compared to 45 minutes - 1 hour for Calgary.
Isn't Sherwood Park just east of all those factories in Edmonton? I thought they had a higher cancer rate or something like that because of all the toxic fumes that blow over to the town. I've only been there once, but it just looks like another Airdrie to me.
While last place might be a little harsh, it's hard to argue Calgary shouldn't be in the bottom 5.
If you assumed all Teams had an equal chance at winning the Cup, Calgary should probably rank somewhere in the upper half of the NHL as far as "UFA Desirability" is concerned. Not as sexy as and original 6 team or major market teams like Pits, Philly, LA or Vancouver, but definitely ahead of markets like Winnipeg, Edmonton, Florida, Carolina, Columbus, Minnesota, etc...
Pros: Hockey Market, spend to the cap team, lower tax (for a Canadian team anyway), decent city for a smaller market.
Cons: One of the worst teams in the league, Rebuilding, Longer travel than east coast teams, cold in the winter, Old arena and training facilities.
Calgary isn't Desirable right now because we are a lottery team, and are at the early stages of our rebuild compared to Edmonton, Colorado, etc. UFA's not wanting to sign here is a good thing right now. Once we have a couple more drafts under our belt we can worry about the playoffs.
Yes this is exactly my point to. Theres a lot of weather arguments going on in here, yours was the one I bit on. I could just as easily post a picture of a beautiful Calgary day to combat your "the weather sucks" comment.
The point I was making was that everyone has personal preferences on what type of city they want to live in, and what type of weather they deem to be acceptable. Arguing about who's weather is better or who's city is better is ridiculous. Its like arguing about movies or music.
There are a lot of reasons why Calgary is not an attractive market right now, weather is far from the top of that list. Especially considering the regions most of the players grew up in. Some people don't seem to grasp that (not meaning you).
As people mentioned before. If a player wants to go play in LA because he wants to sit on the beach, gaulk at women, and bounce around the hot night life then go for it. That player is not the guy I want on my team anyways.
I think overall, the possibility to win reigns supreme, the ONLY reason we have a guy like Ribeiro, Mike Smith, Shane Doan staying here is because Don Maloney, and Dave Tippett are here. While the weather is amazing, if the management left - I doubt these guys would be here. I know for 100% fact that Smith and Ribeiro wouldn't have signed.
Calgary weather sucking is personal preference.. I appreciate the response!
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Isn't Sherwood Park just east of all those factories in Edmonton? I thought they had a higher cancer rate or something like that because of all the toxic fumes that blow over to the town. I've only been there once, but it just looks like another Airdrie to me.
No issues with toxic fumes, as far as I know.
While Calgary is ranked the top city by Moneysense, Edmonton is #3, with St. Albert as the #1 "Small City" in Canada. Strathcona County, with the majority of citizens in Sherwood Park, is #2.
In Calgary, the average household net worth was $ 540,897, according to Moneysense. In Strathcona County, the average household net worth is $ 639,971.
Slag Edmonton all you want on these boards - the primary point is that wealthy people can live a good life anywhere. If the Flames are not an "A" list free agent market, it's likely because of unproven goaltending, a questionable defense, and rookies as forwards. I can't see toxic fumes, or floods, as drivers behind free agent activity.
This has some bearing, Jalen Rose discusses what motivates NBA free agents to choose where they are going to go.
His ranking of motivators:
1) Money
2) Winning
3) Professional development/opportunities (playing time, etc.)
4) The city/personal reasons
Calgary is able to offer free agents at least 2 of the top 3 - Money and development and, in three years once Monahan, Gaudreau, Jankowski, Poirier, Wotherspoon, Brodie and Broissoit have developed into the greatest core of young players the NHL has ever seen we'll have number 2 on lock-down too.
2015 We'll sign Patrick Kane, Brandon Dubinsky, and Marc Staal and win cups until our eyeballs bleed.
...Slag Edmonton all you want on these boards - the primary point is that wealthy people can live a good life anywhere. If the Flames are not an "A" list free agent market, it's likely because of unproven goaltending, a questionable defense, and rookies as forwards. I can't see toxic fumes, or floods, as drivers behind free agent activity.
Seriously? There is a world of difference between being young and rich in New York, Chicago, LA, Philadelphia, Boston, etc., and being young and rich in Edmonton. We slag Edmonton because the Oilers are pathetic, and the city is marginal.
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Originally Posted by woob
"...harem warfare? like all your wives dressup and go paintballing?"
While last place might be a little harsh, it's hard to argue Calgary shouldn't be in the bottom 5.
If you assumed all Teams had an equal chance at winning the Cup, Calgary should probably rank somewhere in the upper half of the NHL as far as "UFA Desirability" is concerned. Not as sexy as and original 6 team or major market teams like Pits, Philly, LA or Vancouver, but definitely ahead of markets like Winnipeg, Edmonton, Florida, Carolina, Columbus, Minnesota,.
sorry... Since when did Pitt become a major market team? They hit a 3 jackpots (Lemieux, Malkin, Crosby) or else they would be playing in Seattle right now. Lemieux saved them as a player, then as an owner. If they don't win... Fans won't show up.
Seriously? There is a world of difference between being young and rich in New York, Chicago, LA, Philadelphia, Boston, etc., and being young and rich in Edmonton. We slag Edmonton because the Oilers are pathetic, and the city is marginal.
Oilers may be pathetic, but they have Hall, Eberle, Hopkins, Yakupov, and others. Can you say that the Flames talent would make a UFA think they would get better stats?
If you were a UFA, wouldn't playing with Eberle, Hall, Hopkins, Yakupov, and Schultz be better than playing with whomever Feaster thinks is a good team? Would you bet you career on Jay Feaster?
Oilers may be pathetic, but they have Hall, Eberle, Hopkins, Yakupov, and others. Can you say that the Flames talent would make a UFA think they would get better stats?
If you were a UFA, wouldn't playing with Eberle, Hall, Hopkins, Yakupov, and Schultz be better than playing with whomever Feaster thinks is a good team? Would you bet you career on Jay Feaster?
How excessively dramatic of you.
Look, I have already clearly stated that I am under no delusion regarding the Flames's attractiveness as a UFA destination. At the moment, given the current stage of each team in their respective rebuilds, Edmonton is clearly a more appealing choice right now than Calgary, but ONLY because there presents a better potential for winning in the short term (so its seems, on paper at least). Nevertheless, the Oilers are still among the bottom 25-teams in their ability to attract UFAs, and I highly doubt that they will ever manage to crack the top ten even under the best of circumstances. This due to the unavoidable fact that Edmonton will never be able to offer as much as the big US markets—all that Edmonton will ever hope to have to offer that will make them an enticing destination compared to the big markets is winning, but they still have a long way to go before even entering that conversation.
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Dealing with Everything from Dead Sea Scrolls to Red C Trolls
Quote:
Originally Posted by woob
"...harem warfare? like all your wives dressup and go paintballing?"
Oilers may be pathetic, but they have Hall, Eberle, Hopkins, Yakupov, and others. Can you say that the Flames talent would make a UFA think they would get better stats?
If you were a UFA, wouldn't playing with Eberle, Hall, Hopkins, Yakupov, and Schultz be better than playing with whomever Feaster thinks is a good team? Would you bet you career on Jay Feaster?
It depends on where the UFA would fit on the depth chart.
If you were a RW and saw Eberle and Yakupov (and possibly Hemsky) ahead of you on the Oilers depth chart, and only Stempniak ahead of you on the Flames depth chart, you'd probably think you'll have a better chance at better stats with the Flames just because you're going to play more minutes in situations where you have a chance to score. Playing with all those kids doesn't improve a player's chance to score if he's not actually playing with the kids.
The reality is that there are very few players who reach UFA status who can truly write their own ticket and walk onto any team's top line. For most UFAs, they have to strongly consider where they will fit on their new team.
Take Matt Stajan for example, he'll likely reach free agency for the first time in his career next year. He'll be 30 years-old and has a mixed resume. He has put up good numbers playing in top-line situations with bad teams, but has struggled when played in lower situations. Next year, he'll probably be able to get a contract to be a first or second line centre on another weak team, or a lower level centre on a stronger team. If he wants the money and ice time, he'll likely have to go to a weaker team. If he wants the chance to win, he'll likely have to take a lesser role and lower money.
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Look, I have already clearly stated that I am under no delusion regarding the Flames's attractiveness as a UFA destination. At the moment, given the current stage of each team in their respective rebuilds, Edmonton is clearly a more appealing choice right now than Calgary, but ONLY because there presents a better potential for winning in the short term (so its seems, on paper at least). Nevertheless, the Oilers are still among the bottom 25-teams in their ability to attract UFAs, and I highly doubt that they will ever manage to crack the top ten even under the best of circumstances. This due to the unavoidable fact that Edmonton will never be able to offer as much as the big US markets—all that Edmonton will ever hope to have to offer that will make them an enticing destination compared to the big markets is winning, but they still have a long way to go before even entering that conversation.
Fine, all Edmonton has to offer is the ability to play with players like Hall, Hopkins, Yakupov, Eberle, Gagner, and Perron. Oldest player is Perron, and he's all of 25. Most of the top six are players drafted 1st overall. I'm sure that it adds an asterix to a players career, at the end.
On defence, it's not like they just drafted a good defender. They're stuck with Ferrence and Belov as UFA's, Larsen as a traded player, and Smid, Petry, and Nick Schultz as other defenders.
Which position is Calgary reasonably better than Edmonton? If I were a player, I'd say that Hall is the best Left Winger, Hopkins the best centre, Eberle the best Right winger. Would Yakupov be the best 2nd right winger? Hemsky the best 3rd right winger? Dubnyk the best proven goaltender? Hell, wouldn't LaBarberra be the best proven backup?
I feel for Flames fans, lived in Calgary during the young guns era. Getting young talent is hard, and there is only one way to do it. Good luck, hope the draft goes well for you...
Fine, all Edmonton has to offer is the ability to play with players like Hall, Hopkins, Yakupov, Eberle, Gagner, and Perron. Oldest player is Perron, and he's all of 25. Most of the top six are players drafted 1st overall. I'm sure that it adds an asterix to a players career, at the end.
lol oh yeah... I can just imagine a big name UFA name .. "Gee golly, I'm finally an unrestricted free agent.. I can't wait for the opportunity to play with Sam Gagner and David Perron, their career high of 49 and 47 points really amazed me!".
Take it down a notch, typical Oilers homer. Which username did you used to have?
I appreciate the response!
