Brian Burke and the Business of NHL Event

[saillias]

Originally Posted by Muta

EDIT: Burke mentioned that half of our UFA's he will re-sign, the other half are getting moved before the deadline. Take that for what you will.

My prediction/hope:

Trade:
Cammalleri, Stajan, Stempniak.

Re-sign:
Russell, Berra, Butler.

[Clever_Iggy]

Thanks Muta.

All very good comments from Burke. I was a Feaster defender, but the way Burke handles the media and public comments is a great balance between Sutter and Feaster.

Retaining salary could be a great way to move Cammellari for more. Glad to hear that option is on the table.

As for re-signing half the free agents... I hope he's picky, because for UFAs I don't know who I'd want to keep outside of Russel. Hopefully it's the RFAs (Colbourne and Bouma - meh on Byron) and not the UFAs (Cammy, Stajan, Stempniak, Westgarth, B. Jones, Butler and D. Smith - undecided on Berra).

[topfiverecords]

This type of event is how Burke figures out which of his ideas are good or bad.

[smalltownref]

Originally Posted by saillias

My prediction/hope:

Trade:
Cammalleri, Stajan, Stempniak.

Re-sign:
Russell, Berra, Butler.

What about Jones, Westgarth, Street? as well as Smith?

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Burke Salad

Would you roll the dice on trading our first this year (2014) for say a weaker team's first pick next year (2015)?

Nope. We are getting our first top 5 pick this year. I think we should keep the pick. Imagine trading the Monahan pick to the Avs for their 2014 first rounder. The risk is too high

[Muta]

Oh yes, the other thing is said...

Our goaltending is terrible and its something we'll have to look at.

[EYE_Overstand]

mine is pretty much the same as Muta!... i wrote this in the trade speculation thread...


Was at the Burke speech at the petroleum club today.

- He said they expect to sign 2-3 of our free agents.

- He also mentions that "people" (cough wesbroid and feaster) have hyped up Johnny Hockey - Gillies - Arnold and that he liked all of them BUT says none of them are guaranteed any sort of special treatment and that none are locks to become everyday NHLers.

- said that the flames will have a hard time attracting free agents if the team didn't upgrade the dome, and doesn't create a permanent practice facility.

- hasn't seen any value taking on contracts

- he's still a Vancouver Canucks (and a flames) season ticket holder.

- wants to widen the ice service to 91-91.5 feet from the current 85.

- He joked that the flames were smaller then the Hitmen.

- says the rumour for bonuses to Russian players to win gold are 250k. In Vancouver Team Canada got 10k for gold and USA got 5k... Both teams then donated it all to charity.


There's other things he discussed but I can't remember. He mentioned that city supporting a new building via some part of tax dollars should happen and it's good for the city.

Hinted that he might move players ahead of trade deadline day (pre Olympics?)

and to add what Muta said above also... he did say our goaltending has NOT been good

[foshizzle11]

Trade the UFAs, keep the RFAs if they are playing well for the remainder of the season. Although one or two could be involved in a package deal for picks. Who knows.

[dammage79]

No brainer comments made about the facilities by Burke. At the very least they need to make an announcement very soon. At least then you can sell that to UFA's.

[Vinny01]

Good on Burke to temper expectations for Gaudreau. Feaster was so guilty of over-hyping the prospects in this organization. As a fanbase we are starved for top prospects so most of us ate it up. Look at Baertschi and the anger of some when he got benched. Sven scoring the 3 in 5 didn't help bit Feaster hyped him huge. The same with Johnny every chance he got Jay would mention he was getting calls on Johnny. I am excited for this kid but he is not yet a lock to be a NHLer let alone superstar.

I feel very relived that Burke has stated we will struggle next year and will have a high pick in 2015. Part of me was worried he would swing or the fences in free agency and swing some big deals that would have us closer to 10th than 1st. With the state of the franchise and te potential at the high end of next years draft we need a top pick.


Also very happy with the retaining salary comment.

[Canada 02]

The Flames will have plenty of options to upgrade the goaltending. Quite a few decent goalies potentially on the UFA market this summer - Elliot, Halak, Scrivens, Khudobin, Greiss, Peters, Hiller, Miller; also likely Anaheim and Toronto move a goalie at the deadline or sooner

Hope Burke is patient and picks up a UFA rather than trade for one, giving up an asset in the process

[drewtastic]

Originally Posted by fotze

Countdown to meltdowns over the Gaudreau comment.

My concerns with Burke's comments in this instance--even if they are throwaways, or, attempts to be funny--are that:

(a) fans are aware of Burke's affinity for bigger players;
(b) Burke is aware that we know of point (a) and therefore;
(c) such comments could be viewed as laying groundwork to justify the release of certain players who don't fit the prescribed criteria.

To Burke's credit, he has also said in the past that small skilled players are valuable, so long as there is balance throughout the team. I tend to agree with this, of course, and simply hope that Gaudreau is given a fair shot.

It's not 'imperative' for me that Gaudreau makes the team at some point, but if he doesn't, it should be because he's not good enough as a player, and not because of a perception that small players have no place in the roster.

(And yes, I am still overly sensitive about losing Martin St. Louis.)

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by Muta

- This is a rebuild, plain and simple. When you're losing, you have to play entertaining hockey (very aggressive, no trap hockey) and players have to be active in the community and volunteer. If you say no, you go on waivers, or you're traded. No exceptions. This is especially true for young players.

Hrmmm... agree with the first part (playing entertaining hockey) but being active in the community and volunteering isn't something that an employer should be forcing on it's employee's... it is something that they should probably want to do anyways but to turn it into something obligatory leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

Originally Posted by Muta

- Team is way too small as it is. Apparently smaller in size overall than the Hitmen.

Yeah yeah... there goes Burke again on his psuedo-sexual size fetish.

Originally Posted by Muta

- Flames are wanting to spend right to the cap; emphasized taking on money from terrible contracts that are attached to draft picks - ONLY 1st and 2nd rounders, likely not even seconds (he said 50-60th spots aren't highly valued)

Explains why the Flames havn't been doing it. GM's probably balking at giving up firsts and most teams naturally drafting higher then 50-60 slots aren't as hard up against the cap to need to shed.

Originally Posted by Muta

- Emphasized the ability to retain salary when trading players away in order to make them more attractive in the trade market.

Sure, Sure... Feaster said the samething. Talk is cheap.

Originally Posted by Muta

- Mentioned Westgarth is NOT a good hockey player, but brings an element of toughness and intimidation (along with McGrattan) that is instilling confidence in the dressing room. It's a long-term thing, but slowly working.

No Brian... he's just a bad hockey player (along with McGrattan) and they probably cost us the game against Pitts.

Originally Posted by Muta

- Thinks Arnold is a great player, not sure if he'll be an NHL player though. Tough to call.

I hate quotes like that... if you're not sure if he'll be an NHL player then you don't think he's a great player.

Originally Posted by Muta

- Thinks Gaudreau is extremely small.

Yeah naturally that's where he goes to... small. Not "exceptionally talented", not "gifted", straight to the size. Does he get wood looking at a big'n'tall catalogue or something.

Originally Posted by Muta

- Doesn't think Gillies is ready at this point.

Ready for what... The NHL? Yeah, probably not. Professional hockey? Pretty sure he could play in the AHL right now.

Originally Posted by Muta

- Flames are mapping out a plan for 2015; expect to have a high pick that draft. Mentioned this is the most important draft coming up.

Gotscha... another "Rock solid plan".

Originally Posted by Muta

- Said Flames need a new arena in order to attract free agents. Most people don't think it matters, but in the hockey world it does. Says the Saddledome is antiquated and the new arena needs to happen as soon as possible.

Okey Brian, get King to present a plan to the city that's viable and isn't the equivalency of billionaires trying to suckle at the teat of the common taxpayer.

Originally Posted by Muta

EDIT: Burke mentioned that half of our UFA's he will re-sign, the other half are getting moved before the deadline. Take that for what you will.

UFA's or "Free Agents"? Hope it's Free Agents because I don't want most of the UFA's back.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by dammage79

No brainer comments made about the facilities by Burke. At the very least they need to make an announcement very soon. At least then you can sell that to UFA's.

I never really put much thought into an arena attracting free agents before, until listening to Iginla gush about the facilities the Penguins have and the spa treatment they basically get.

The Saddledome was great for its time, but times have changed and Calgary really deserves a modern world class arena.

As a side note, could they be waiting for the Canadian dollar to lower more before starting the project?

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

As a side note, could they be waiting for the Canadian dollar to lower more before starting the project?

Wouldn't you want the dollar high when investing in a infrastructure project (lower relative cost of imported goods associated with the project)?

[Vinny01]

Such hater comments from Parrallex.

[_Q_]

Originally Posted by Parallex

Wouldn't you want the dollar high when investing in a infrastructure project (lower relative cost of imported goods associated with the project)?

Generally with most construction projects, the majority of the costs associated are labour.


Also, I doubt many of the materials used on a project like this need to be imported.

[codynw]

Originally Posted by Parallex

Spoiler!

Hrmmm... agree with the first part (playing entertaining hockey) but being active in the community and volunteering isn't something that an employer should be forcing on it's employee's... it is something that they should probably want to do anyways but to turn it into something obligatory leaves a bad taste in my mouth.



Yeah yeah... there goes Burke again on his psuedo-sexual size fetish.



Explains why the Flames havn't been doing it. GM's probably balking at giving up firsts and most teams naturally drafting higher then 50-60 slots aren't as hard up against the cap to need to shed.



Sure, Sure... Feaster said the samething. Talk is cheap.



No Brian... he's just a bad hockey player (along with McGrattan) and they probably cost us the game against Pitts.



I hate quotes like that... if you're not sure if he'll be an NHL player then you don't think he's a great player.



Yeah naturally that's where he goes to... small. Not "exceptionally talented", not "gifted", straight to the size. Does he get wood looking at a big'n'tall catalogue or something.



Ready for what... The NHL? Yeah, probably not. Professional hockey? Pretty sure he could play in the AHL right now.



Gotscha... another "Rock solid plan".



Okey Brian, get King to present a plan to the city that's viable and isn't the equivalency of billionaires trying to suckle at the teat of the common taxpayer.



UFA's or "Free Agents"? Hope it's Free Agents because I don't want most of the UFA's back.

So, I take it you don't like Burke?

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Such hater comments from Parrallex.

I can almost seeing him sitting in the back of the room with his twitching fingers on the keyboard ready to pounce

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Parallex

Wouldn't you want the dollar high when investing in a infrastructure project (lower relative cost of imported goods associated with the project)?

Originally Posted by _Q_

Generally with most construction projects, the majority of the costs associated are labour.


Also, I doubt many of the materials used on a project like this need to be imported.

Yeah, most of the owners make their income in American dollars, but would be paying the labour in Canadian dollars.