Who do we hope ends up GM?

[Table 5]

I like Conroy, and love having him in the organization (you could just feel his giddiness at the Gaudreau/Arnold signing), but I also wonder if he has the personality to make the hard, unpopular "gotta be an a-hole for the good of the team" decisions a GM has to make occasionally. Has he had to make those types of decisions in terms of the Heat?

If he can, then sure, I'd consider him. If he would have to rely on Burke to be that guy, I'd say he's not ready.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by Table 5

I like Conroy, and love having him in the organization (you could just feel his giddiness at the Gaudreau/Arnold signing), but I also wonder if he has the personality to make the hard, unpopular "gotta be an a-hole for the good of the team" decisions a GM has to make occasionally. Has he had to make those types of decisions in terms of the Heat?

If he can, then sure, I'd consider him. If he would have to rely on Burke to be that guy, I'd say he's not ready.

Can't say for sure which moves he's had to make or not, always hard to pin those exact things down but I always go back to development camp when my eyes really opened to the idea Conroy would be a GM one day. He was being interviewed during the intermission of a scrimmage game, being asked normal soft ball questions but I was surprised with how candid, open and honest he was being about which guys have to do this, which guys have to do that. If a player was disappointing etc etc. IIRC he was almost harsh towards Horak in his critics.

The guy is definitely one of the nicest people you'll ever meet but that doesn't mean he'll be afraid of making the tough decisions in his job. Conroy was a bubble of a man off the ice but on the ice he was a serious competitor, I think that gets lost in he goofy funny loving imagine we've formed of him, he took the game and player very seriously. I have little doubt he'd do the same as GM.

Brian Burke will still be here, his role is strictly a hockey role. If Burke would be leaving Conroy all by himself, then I'd have some serious hesitation but that's not the roles Ken King and Burke described when he arrived. If Burke still needs to work some trades, I don't doubt he'd do it and they'd bounce ideas off each other. The way the Flames have structured it, it's a great, if not perfect way to bring Conroy along.

I'm a big believer in him though, I understand if some are not. Everytime he's been interviewed during his time as a manager for the Flames my eyes are constantly opened to what a sharp hockey mind he actually has.

[Yoho]

MICHAEL FUTA from the Kings. Drafting and identifying talent should be heavily weighted for Flames GM selection.

I want Burke's expertise for trades, and Futa skills for drafting.

Conroy would be perfect for AGM

[CaramonLS]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

Honest question, how much time needs to pass for him to "pay his dues" how much time before he's ready?

He's been in the management role for the Flames for over three years now. At what time are his dues paid, 4 years? 5 years?

If Burke wasn't here I'd agree with you but with Burke still guiding, helping him along the way, I think it's time to the hand the reigns over. He comes across as a very sharp hockey mind and his role has seemingly expanded every time he's in the spotlight. We're always talking about wanting to get the next young upcoming GM here to be under Burke, so get the one that's here already. Learning to deal with players, agents, contracts?

Brian Burke wasn't in Philly yesterday to deal with Arnold and Gaudreau, Conroy was.

You or I can't say for sure if he's ready or not but to me he seems like as good of a candidate as anyone. If the Flames don't hire him as GM someone down the line will, and I'd hate to see Conroy to another team. I think he's turning into one hell of manager.

I think you can keep him happy with another title promotion, but I don't even think it has to be as an AGM. I don't think he has the star power of a Sakic, Shanahan or Yzerman in that we would need to worry about losing him to another team.

Working under a GM for 3 years, who will likely never work in the NHL again, will not exactly be the most attractive asset to another NHL team.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by Yoho

MICHAEL FUTA from the Kings. Drafting and identifying talent should be heavily weighted for Flames GM selection.

I want Burke's expertise for trades, and Futa skills for drafting.

Conroy would be perfect for AGM

Well if the current version of the Kings is any indication it's clear he and Burke like the same type of players. How far back does he go with the Kings anyway? Like, was he the guy that pushed for Kopitar?

NVM, answered my own question. Began his position as director of amateur scouting in June of 2007, so it's safe to assume that the drafts from 2008 and on were his.

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/draft/t...r00006664.html

I'm actually not sure how I feel about his draft history so far. Picked a couple of good players in later rounds, but the bulk of his drafts are not that impressive. Mind you, he had a lot of draft picks traded away to help improve the team in the short term which limited his ability to get good players (no 1st in 2011, no 2nd or 3rd in 2012, no 1st or 3rd in 2013).

Then when you look at the prospects coming up, there is very poor depth that reminds me of the Flames a couple years ago. Zykov and McNabb are the only real notable prospects that haven't yet played in the NHL. I guess the good thing is that some of the guys like Pearson, Toffoli, Vey, M. Jones, etc. have come in and filled some roles in the NHL well, allowing them to make trades to improve the roster.

Just not sure Futa is the right guy, but what do I know…

Edit: McNabb has played for the Sabres, but has not played in the NHL since 2011.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

Honest question, how much time needs to pass for him to "pay his dues" how much time before he's ready?

He's been in the management role for the Flames for over three years now. At what time are his dues paid, 4 years? 5 years?

If Burke wasn't here I'd agree with you but with Burke still guiding, helping him along the way, I think it's time to the hand the reigns over. He comes across as a very sharp hockey mind and his role has seemingly expanded every time he's in the spotlight. We're always talking about wanting to get the next young upcoming GM here to be under Burke, so get the one that's here already. Learning to deal with players, agents, contracts?

Brian Burke wasn't in Philly yesterday to deal with Arnold and Gaudreau, Conroy was.

You or I can't say for sure if he's ready or not but to me he seems like as good of a candidate as anyone. If the Flames don't hire him as GM someone down the line will, and I'd hate to see Conroy to another team. I think he's turning into one hell of manager.

More.







To answer the question, let's look at the top candidates that are currently available: Futa, Benning, etc. - all guys that have been in an AGM role (or something similar) for a significant period of time. The great GM candidates are guys that have been AGMs for 5 to 10 years under the tutelage of another great GM.

The best thing for Conroy would be for his to stay on as AGM, under a solid new GM and Burke.

[MrMastodonFarm]

George McPhee spent the years in Vancouver before moving full time to Washington back in the day, by the way. Didn't have a guy like Burke to continue to lean on either.

[RyZ]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

George McPhee

I just threw up in my mouth a little.

I dont think the Calgary hockey scene would be very happy with how McPhee built his last team. We seem to apreciate the play of a Bouwma, Byron, etc. Im not sure the style over substance approach would go over well in a market like this one.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

More.







To answer the question, let's look at the top candidates that are currently available: Futa, Benning, etc. - all guys that have been in an AGM role (or something similar) for a significant period of time. The great GM candidates are guys that have been AGMs for 5 to 10 years under the tutelage of another great GM.

The best thing for Conroy would be for his to stay on as AGM, under a solid new GM and Burke.

Agreed.

It took Doug Armstrong more than a decade in the Dallas organization before becoming GM.

[liamenator]

I would be very happy if the Flames hired Futa or Benning as GM, named Conroy and Kisio AGMs. With Burke as President, that is some serious hockey IQ in the executive.

[snipetype]

Hire the best AGM available. The flames have an attractive opening being a hockey city with a good young core of players. Keep Conroy as the "smooz" because I've met him and he is honestly the most likeable and eloquent hockey player I've ever met. Guarentee you he played a huge role in winning over Johnny and bill. Conroy seems to make everyone in the flames organization feel like a family. This is a close knit group and I think that's important to keep a team competitive for a long time.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

I liked his drafting but if some of the rumours were true I can see why he was let go.

Some rumours were that he was in charge of the returns the flames got for jbo and Iggy. Can't blame him or Feaster for Iggy return considering the boston offer was not bad. The jbo return was crap. The only saving grace is that they got their man in Poirier at the draft and that the av's took acid the night before they offered Burke a 2nd for Berra.

The other rumour, which actually came out of Weisbrods mouth, was the draft year when they picked Janko. Weisbrod said that if Janko was not available at 18 when they traded down they would have taken seiloff. Maybe he was just hyping him up, but if true that alone could get you fired.

Believe it was hyping him up. If you listen to Todd Button's interview at the draft with the wrap-up, he gets asked that very question. He actually refuted it, saying something like: "Well, there were some other guys we really liked like Finn, ..."

If I remember correctly, it almost sounded like the Flames preferred Finn over Sieloff. One thing I really disliked a lot about Feaster was him feeling like he has to 'hype up' the draft picks, and it seemed it flowed into Weisbrod as well. Button's interviews offer way much more insight I found.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

To answer the question, let's look at the top candidates that are currently available: Futa, Benning, etc. - all guys that have been in an AGM role (or something similar) for a significant period of time. The great GM candidates are guys that have been AGMs for 5 to 10 years under the tutelage of another great GM.

The best thing for Conroy would be for his to stay on as AGM, under a solid new GM and Burke.

Just to clarify, I like Conroy as our GM because Burke would still be President in a full hockey role. Those guys became GM solely by themselves without the double situation Calgary has. If Burke wasn't around then I'd be agreeing with you 100%.

Also, to clarify more, I'd love to see those guys hired as well.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

If I remember correctly, it almost sounded like the Flames preferred Finn over Sieloff. One thing I really disliked a lot about Feaster was him feeling like he has to 'hype up' the draft picks, and it seemed it flowed into Weisbrod as well. Button's interviews offer way much more insight I found.

Yep. Much better for the prospect and the fans if the GM doesn't hype up a prospect. One of Feaster's problem was hyping up our 1st rounders and guaranteeing Baertschi a spot on the team instead of making him earn it.

EDM is seeing the fruits of hyping their 1st rounders. Bunch of entitled twats.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

Yep. Much better for the prospect and the fans if the GM doesn't hype up a prospect. One of Feaster's problem was hyping up our 1st rounders and guaranteeing Baertschi a spot on the team instead of making him earn it.

EDM is seeing the fruits of hyping their 1st rounders. Bunch of entitled twats.

I think you need to hype up your recently selected prospects at the draft, and say good things about them when warranted. They just went so over the top trying to sell hope. Every organization hypes up their picks, but this was way too much. Embarrassing to the team I thought, and could have been detrimental to a guy like Jankowski especially with so much unnecessary pressure being heaped on him (not to mention that backlash of ridicule I am sure he became keenly aware of after the fact).

It also made the organization have reek of "we are so much smarter than everyone else" rather than just letting your body of work speak for itself. If you really are smarter than everyone else, the other people unaffiliated with your organization will be the ones that should be declaring that... especially if you win the cup with a core that you drafted and developed yourself.

[t0rrent98]

Originally Posted by Table 5

I like Conroy, and love having him in the organization (you could just feel his giddiness at the Gaudreau/Arnold signing), but I also wonder if he has the personality to make the hard, unpopular "gotta be an a-hole for the good of the team" decisions a GM has to make occasionally. Has he had to make those types of decisions in terms of the Heat?

If he can, then sure, I'd consider him. If he would have to rely on Burke to be that guy, I'd say he's not ready.

You know what. I kind of find it funny how he's still go the title of Special Assistant to the GM when there is no GM. Unless its meant to say he's the Special Assistant to Brian Burke.

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

Believe it was hyping him up. If you listen to Todd Button's interview at the draft with the wrap-up, he gets asked that very question. He actually refuted it, saying something like: "Well, there were some other guys we really liked like Finn, ..."

If I remember correctly, it almost sounded like the Flames preferred Finn over Sieloff. One thing I really disliked a lot about Feaster was him feeling like he has to 'hype up' the draft picks, and it seemed it flowed into Weisbrod as well. Button's interviews offer way much more insight I found.

Yeah Tod Button for some reason gets crisism when drafts go bad, but not enough credit when drafts go well. I'm not a draft expert, but I've read some in depth interviews from Tod Button and there is a good reason Button has survived 4 regime changes here.

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

I think you need to hype up your recently selected prospects at the draft, and say good things about them when warranted. They just went so over the top trying to sell hope. Every organization hypes up their picks, but this was way too much. Embarrassing to the team I thought, and could have been detrimental to a guy like Jankowski especially with so much unnecessary pressure being heaped on him (not to mention that backlash of ridicule I am sure he became keenly aware of after the fact).

It also made the organization have reek of "we are so much smarter than everyone else" rather than just letting your body of work speak for itself. If you really are smarter than everyone else, the other people unaffiliated with your organization will be the ones that should be declaring that... especially if you win the cup with a core that you drafted and developed yourself.

Yeah you see a lot of GM's who really know and understand the upbringing of a prospect, and how they play the media.... don't want to dig into this again, but hard for a non-hockey guy to understand if they didn't really understand the culture or have a upbringing of hockey.

[irrevocable]

so it's a day off and I managed to catch the presser.

lil drunk now.

I seriously hope Burke stays on as GM. Now i realize this man is running things regardless, but Burke, we need your truculence bro.

Burke is the best fit. XD

[UKflames]

So with the news that the Hurricanes are about to lose Rutherford, that puts another team on the hunt for a new GM, along with ourselves, the Nucks and possibly the caps.

With at least 3 teams looking for a GM Burke is going to have to do a really good sell job if he wants the right candidate. Does it put us at a disadvantage having someone as controlling as Burke, as president of Hockey operations, compared to teams where a new GM may have more of a free reign??

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by UKflames

So with the news that the Hurricanes are about to lose Rutherford, that puts another team on the hunt for a new GM, along with ourselves, the Nucks and possibly the caps.

With at least 3 teams looking for a GM Burke is going to have to do a really good sell job if he wants the right candidate. Does it put us at a disadvantage having someone as controlling as Burke, as president of Hockey operations, compared to teams where a new GM may have more of a free reign??

I'm almost certain Rutherford is moving up the ladder into an executive position and Ron Francis is taking over the GM duties.

So It's still CGY and VAN looking for GM's at the moment.