Hartley Interview in Swiss Newspaper

[868904]

Goalies are really hard to predict, especially reflex type unorthodox goalies like Berra.

I'm in no ways suggesting Berra will be as good as Hasek and Thomas (two other reflex type and unorthodox goalies), but these guys didn't exactly light the NHL on fire when they first came in. In fact, they pretty much sucked the first few seasons in the NHL.

I think Berra has the tools, but his game needs refinement. Good thing for the Flames is that they can be patient with him. I think when you have a goalie as big as Berra, as athletic, and moves as well as he does (he probably actually moves TOO well right now), you have to give him some time.

[GirlySports]

Or sometimes Hartley just wants Baertschi to watch the game from above to see the whole ice. I never expected him or Monahan to play all 82 games (injuries aside).

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

How do you feel about the Flames (Feaster/Hartley's) ability to handle these duties?

The only opinion about Feaster and Hartley that really counts is Burke's, and so far he hasn't given any indications that he has any doubts about the current regime.

How do you feel about Burke's ability to oversee the hockey opperations personnel?

[timbit]

This rebuilding process takes a very clear strategy with some moving parts as things progress.

Having a blueprint of what you are trying to create is paramount.

Over the next 5-7 years, they will hopefully fill slots correctly.

Skill, IQ, character, grit need to the trademarks of the players that will most effectively move the team forward.

A long ways to go. Maybe Brodie and Giordano are top 4 D on a contending team. Hard to tell.

Monahan looks like a top 2 C.

Sven could be a scoring second line winger.

Maybe Gillies in GOAL.

Just too early to tell but for sure there are an abundance of holes to fill.

So far, Feaster and Hartley seem to be on track.

[Tyler]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern

Am I the only one who reads Hartley interviews in his accent?

I can't not do it..

You know, like...

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by FakenHaken

I've got my suspicions EE that you don't like Bob Hartley very much. I could be wrong though. This isn't the first time you have voiced your displeasure though about Mr. Hartley.

It's nothing personal. Hartley comes off as a decent guy in interviews it's nothing personal to me. I just prefer a coach that installs defensive systems that don't yield the worst GAA in the league. I prefer a head coach that doesn't feel the need to dress a goon every single night. I prefer a head coach that doesn't play favorites. I feel Bob is doing this team a good service in that he's delivering the high draft picks this organization needs and for the record I don't want him fired until this offseason or next as the 2015 draft could be a game changer for the team that picks first overall. In the mean time I wish he would adapt to today's game better and cut out the favorites nonsense. Let's be realistic here. I'm not sure how anyone can expect this team to improve when they continue to let in more goals than any other team in the league. When the day comes when it's time to see improvement that's when a new coach will be required.

Originally Posted by timbit

The future of the Flames will be based on solid asset procurement, development and evaluation.

They just procured Berra, have just started to work on his development and there is an ongoing evaluation on what he will become.

For the third time, it is early yet.

They just procured Ramo but it seems like he got very little opportunity to be evaluated. I don't think Ramo has been lights out but I don't believe Berra was near good enough to warrant the recent string of starts. Ramo was far better against the Kings than Berra has been.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

They just procured Ramo but it seems like he got very little opportunity to be evaluated. I don't think Ramo has been lights out but I don't believe Berra was near good enough to warrant the recent string of starts. Ramo was far better against the Kings than Berra has been.

Berra has played 11 games, Ramo is playing #11 tonight.

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

The only opinion about Feaster and Hartley that really counts is Burke's, and so far he hasn't given any indications that he has any doubts about the current regime.

How do you feel about Burke's ability to oversee the hockey opperations personnel?

I don't think I've heard from Burke since he was hired? So I don't think he's given indication one way or another.

My don't really care about the current record (or not sure how much I really care?) but if I had a gripe with current management:

- its that Sven seems to have the perfect learning mentality and was enthusiastic and now he isn't. What changed?

- is benching the only motivation tool? I don't see how watching from the press box is learning; I think watching can be done outside of practices/games and video should be done when not playing. Just me though..... playing time and practise time seems like such a valuable resource. If he isn't playing hard, yell at him, insult him, sing tunes about chocolate if you want....... but play him. IMO

- Backlund..... still think he has the potential to be a top 2 line center, but its not happening.....

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

It's nothing personal. Hartley comes off as a decent guy in interviews it's nothing personal to me. I just prefer a coach that installs defensive systems that don't yield the worst GAA in the league. I prefer a head coach that doesn't feel the need to dress a goon every single night. I prefer a head coach that doesn't play favorites. I feel Bob is doing this team a good service in that he's delivering the high draft picks this organization needs and for the record I don't want him fired until this offseason or next as the 2015 draft could be a game changer for the team that picks first overall. In the mean time I wish he would adapt to today's game better and cut out the favorites nonsense. Let's be realistic here. I'm not sure how anyone can expect this team to improve when they continue to let in more goals than any other team in the league. When the day comes when it's time to see improvement that's when a new coach will be required.




They just procured Ramo but it seems like he got very little opportunity to be evaluated. I don't think Ramo has been lights out but I don't believe Berra was near good enough to warrant the recent string of starts. Ramo was far better against the Kings than Berra has been.

Defense is boring.

I want my players and goalie to be flamboyant

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

...Hartley comes off as a decent guy in interviews it's nothing personal to me. I just prefer a coach [B]that installs defensive systems that don't yield the worst GAA in the league. I prefer a head coach that doesn't feel the need to dress a goon every single night. I prefer a head coach that doesn't play favourites...

I think you are naïve if you don't believe that every coach plays favourites. While some of Bob's choices appear perplexing with regard to player and line selections, there shouldn't be anything unexpected about seeing rookie players moved in and out of the lineup as the season progresses. This has much less to do with "playing favourites" and much more to do with what the coaches are trying to install in players. It's easy to criticise these decisions from the outside, but I'm pretty confident that the situation is more complex than it appears.

As to what you prefer from a coach, how much of that stuff honestly matters this season? As far as I can tell, the most important part of this year is player development: teaching players what it takes to be NHL regulars, and instilling them with the right habits, determination and discipline to excel at the highest level. It's too hard to judge how the process is coming along from outside, but by the same token, there is nothing to suggest that the Flames are off track, and that a coaching change is necessary. I think Hartley's shelf-life is pretty short, but by the same token, I also don't expect that there is any urgency for change for another two or three years.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

I don't think I've heard from Burke since he was hired? So I don't think he's given indication one way or another.

Burke has had three media appearances since he was hired, and has been openly supportive of the current hockey ops. staff. He and Feaster have a long history and were very well acquainted before Burke arrived in Calgary. The only indications are that he has the confidence of his boss.

But you didn't answer my question. Do you trust Burke to make these decisions? If so, then what's the problem?

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

My don't really care about the current record (or not sure how much I really care?) but if I had a gripe with current management:

- its that Sven seems to have the perfect learning mentality and was enthusiastic and now he isn't. What changed?

How can we know if anything has changed? And if it has, why must we assume that it is the fault of the coaches?

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

- is benching the only motivation tool? I don't see how watching from the press box is learning; I think watching can be done outside of practices/games and video should be done when not playing. Just me though..... playing time and practise time seems like such a valuable resource. If he isn't playing hard, yell at him, insult him, sing tunes about chocolate if you want....... but play him. IMO

That's your hilariously under qualified opinion. I don't mean to be insulting, but there is so, SO much more going on behind the scenes that none of us sees or will ever know about. OF COURSE there are more teaching and motivation tools, and I am quite confident that the Flames coaching staff—like every other NHL coaching staff—is taking a multi-pronged approach to player development, which includes all sorts of stuff that we don't see. I just don't understand the reason to complain or why we should jump to conclusions when we only see a fraction of the whole picture.

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

- Backlund..... still think he has the potential to be a top 2 line center, but its not happening.....

Maybe. Maybe not. But again, why should we assume that the coaches are to blame IF Backlund does not develop into a second line centre? I think much more often than not, players who disappoint or who fail to meet lofty expectations are the authors of their own fates, and not beholden to the dictates of their coaches to harness their full potential.

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Burke has had three media appearances since he was hired, and has been openly supportive of the current hockey ops. staff. He and Feaster have a long history and were very well acquainted before Burke arrived in Calgary. The only indications are that he has the confidence of his boss.

But you didn't answer my question. Do you trust Burke to make these decisions? If so, then what's the problem?

well according to you, i'm too underqualified to have an opinion so it doesn't matter

Originally Posted by Textcritic

How can we know if anything has changed? And if it has, why must we assume that it is the fault of the coaches?

I didn't assume anything.

Originally Posted by Textcritic

That's your hilariously under qualified opinion. I don't mean to be insulting, but there is so, SO much more going on behind the scenes that none of us sees or will ever know about. OF COURSE there are more teaching and motivation tools, and I am quite confident that the Flames coaching staff—like every other NHL coaching staff—is taking a multi-pronged approach to player development, which includes all sorts of stuff that we don't see. I just don't understand the reason to complain or why we should jump to conclusions when we only see a fraction of the whole picture.

True, we don't see behind the scenes. What we see is from history though - 15 years of prospect development (yes I know, Feaster/Hartley wasn't htere for all of them) - and the best forward prospect developed internally since Iginla was David Moss.

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Maybe. Maybe not. But again, why should we assume that the coaches are to blame IF Backlund does not develop into a second line centre? I think much more often than not, players who disappoint or who fail to meet lofty expectations are the authors of their own fates, and not beholden to the dictates of their coaches to harness their full potential.

2/3 young prospects who appear to me (albeit, under-qualified) pretty talented players, with a good attitude..... struggling.....

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

well according to you, i'm too underqualified to have an opinion so it doesn't matter...

That's a cop-out and you know it. You brought it up.

I'm merely reminding you that the brain-trust has more than one or two members. I have no problem with how Feaster has performed over the summer, and I really like how the Flames have drafted since he has been here. However, I also recognise that there are lots of fans who are suspicious about his ability to effectively manage an NHL team. My point here is that it seems to me to be illogical to remain sceptical about Feaster or Hartley unless you are also not sold on Burke.

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

That's a cop-out and you know it. You brought it up.

I'm merely reminding you that the brain-trust has more than one or two members. I have no problem with how Feaster has performed over the summer, and I really like how the Flames have drafted since he has been here. However, I also recognise that there are lots of fans who are suspicious about his ability to effectively manage an NHL team. My point here is that it seems to me to be illogical to remain sceptical about Feaster or Hartley unless you are also not sold on Burke.

Well what are the results of his NHL drafting that makes you so optimistic?

Why do I have to be sold on one guy or another? I'm sold when I see results. I didn't know being critical was such a sin.....

But if you really want to know..... I don't think the BB's full playbook is shown yet. Its been what, 4 months? In a business, thats just over 1 quarter. We have NO idea what direction he's taking or what he thinks of Hartley/Feaster.... probably won't know for another year, at least. If Feaster/Hartley is let go in June though, does that mean his critics are right and you are wrong then?

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

...2/3 young prospects who appear to me (albeit, under-qualified) pretty talented players, with a good attitude..... struggling.....

It's what young players do. They struggle. Some more, some less.

There is lots of time though, and no reason to pull the chute or think that things would be better off for wither Backlund or Baertschi under a different coach. But, for the sake of argument, perhaps another coach would make a positive difference for one or both of them. It is just as equally possible that Monahan would struggle mightily under another coach, is it not?

[mustache ride]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

My point here is that it seems to me to be illogical to remain sceptical about Feaster or Hartley unless you are also not sold on Burke.

No that's not true at all.

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

It's what young players do. They struggle. Some more, some less.

There is lots of time though, and no reason to pull the chute or think that things would be better off for wither Backlund or Baertschi under a different coach. But, for the sake of argument, perhaps another coach would make a positive difference for one or both of them. It is just as equally possible that Monahan would struggle mightily under another coach, is it not?

Yes it is. Thus as I said, " if I had a gripe with current management"

or did you not read that?

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

Well what are the results of his NHL drafting that makes you so optimistic?

Monahan has been fantastic, and I think Baertschi has been good. So far they both look to be solid picks.

Gillies and Gaudreau are absolutely tearing up the NCAA

Several professional hockey analysts have practically gushed in print media and radio about Sieloff's potential to be a sure-fire NHLer.

This year's other two first rounders are having great seasons.

What's not to like? I know it's really but things could be a hell of a lot worse.

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

Why do I have to be sold on one guy or another? I'm sold when I see results. I didn't know being critical was such a sin.....

What sorts of results did you realistically expect to see at this point? Feaster has overseen three drafts with the Flames, and has only once picked in the top-ten in that time. I understand the call for measured optimism, but to be fair, I think that would at minimum translate into a "wait and see" response, and not open pessimism.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

Yes it is. Thus as I said, " if I had a gripe with current management"

or did you not read that?

Yeah, I missed that. Sorry. It's 0130 in the morning...

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by mustache ride

No that's not true at all.

So, if I am understanding you correctly, you are confident in Burke's capabilities to effectively oversee the hockey operations department and to ensure that the right people are in the best position to do what is best for the Flames's future. But, you are also concerned that Feaster and Harley are not those people, and that they are jeopardising the future of the Flames young players and the franchise?

To me, this doesn't add up. If you think Feaster and Hartley are the wrong people for the job, this shouldn't be an issue for you, since Burke—who must also see this as well—will ensure their expedient replacement.