[News] Flames hire Treliving as GM

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by FlameZilla

7th-11th is damned impressive for a franchise which had severe financial restraints. The fact that Treliving spent the better part of a decade making a dead broke franchise even remotely competitive is a pretty important factor. Phoenix could/should be a perennial bottom-feeder but it isn't.

Fair enough to take a wait-and-see viewpoint though.

I would take it a step further...

Over the past 10 years or so, every team has significantly increased their scouting, training, development, fitness and other budgets. The game and how it is managed, has changed drastically.

During that time, the Coyotes have been in a state of constant flux, with continual rumours of being sold/moved/folded, as well as going bankrupt and being taken over by the league.

While all of the other teams were ratcheting up their scouting and development programs, the Coyotes were trying to keep the lights on.

The fact that, in that environment, they were able to make the playoffs 3 of the last 5 years in the western conference, and went to the conference finals one year, is frankly astounding!

Obviously Treliving shouldn't be handed the keys to the city just yet, and we should be taking a wait and see attitude, but to suggest that they did a 'mediocre, 7-11th place job' in Phoenix is extremely unjust and naïve, IMO.

[automaton 3]

Not sure if mentioned already, but Jim Playfair mentioned that Treliving asked him about the Flames, and Playfair told him that he thought the management structure is the best its been in some time.

He also said that Treliving is an excellent evaluator of talent and has a knack for knowing when prospects are ready for the NHL.

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by automaton 3

Not sure if mentioned already, but Jim Playfair mentioned that Treliving asked him about the Flames, and Playfair told him that he thought the management structure is the best its been in some time.

He also said that Treliving is an excellent evaluator of talent and has a knack for knowing when prospects are ready for the NHL.

source/link?

[Hustle]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

During that time, the Coyotes have been in a state of constant flux, with continual rumours of being sold/moved/folded, as well as going bankrupt and being taken over by the league.

While all of the other teams were ratcheting up their scouting and development programs, the Coyotes were trying to keep the lights on.

Agreed. Friedman was on the FAN the other day and was recounting some of the challenges that had occurred in Phoenix. I'm paraphrasing now, but he mentioned a big transaction where the Coyotes needed league approval and were asked to see if they could reduce the hit by $40,000. The fact that you're looking at 40k in a multi-million dollar transaction shows that there really were severe constraints placed upon the Phoenix front-office.

As for Treliving... i like the hire. You can never predict anything with absolute certainty but the guy is being set up to succeed. He seems smart (his response to analytics was fantastic - ie) information is capital). Really like the fact that almost everybody has called this guy a modern and progressive thinker.... it should be a nice complementary skillset to what Burke brings to the table

[FakenHaken]

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

source/link?

Can't find it but it was on the Fan960 in the morning. An interview of sorts with Playfair on Maher's retirement and his thoughts on Treliving.

[driveway]

The more I hear/read/learn the more I like this choice.

Something to consider, since 2007-08 (the oldest year in the capgeek archives) the Coyotes have 3 playoff appearances, two series wins, a playoff record of 12-15, a Conference Finals appearance, a Division Championship, and a combined record of 267-202-71. In that time the only player to have been paid more than 6 million was Ed Jovanovski from 2007-2009.

Over the same time period, the Flames have two playoff appearances, zero series wins, zero division titles, a playoff record of 5-8, and a combined record of 260-215-65, while having at least one, and usually two or three, six million dollar player(s) on the roster every single season. And that's not counting Kipper's 5.8 million.

The guys in Phoenix did better than we did, with substantially less to work with. I'm happy to have someone from that organization, who - as far as I know - is not obsessed with waffles.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by driveway

Something to consider, since 2007-08 (the oldest year in the capgeek archives)

Which is also the first year that Treliving worked for the Coyotes. I'd say that is exactly the right starting point for your timeline.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by driveway

The more I hear/read/learn the more I like this choice.

Something to consider, since 2007-08 (the oldest year in the capgeek archives) the Coyotes have 3 playoff appearances, two series wins, a playoff record of 12-15, a Conference Finals appearance, a Division Championship, and a combined record of 267-202-71. In that time the only player to have been paid more than 6 million was Ed Jovanovski from 2007-2009.

Over the same time period, the Flames have two playoff appearances, zero series wins, zero division titles, a playoff record of 5-8, and a combined record of 260-215-65, while having at least one, and usually two or three, six million dollar player(s) on the roster every single season. And that's not counting Kipper's 5.8 million.

The guys in Phoenix did better than we did, with substantially less to work with. I'm happy to have someone from that organization, who - as far as I know - is not obsessed with waffles.

Comparing the Coyotes to the flames won't win me over. We aren't looking to be better than we were before, we are looking to be better everyone else.

Who have the Coyotes lost because of money? Bryzgalov? Who else? Where are the superstars they lost because of money?


I like the hire, but not because of what was accomplished in Phoenix, as it was mediocre. The trouble in assessing is they had less money to spend on assessment, development and attracting talent in general including their prospects. Add to that many of their prospects haven't graduated to the NHL because of the teams long term view on development. That's what has me excited

[automaton 3]

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

source/link?

Was a phone interview on the 960 morning show...sorry should have mentioned that.

He also talked about how in markets like Calgary the media presence can make it difficult for younger players ie coaching staff telling them one thing, and hearing another message from the media.

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by automaton 3

Was a phone interview on the 960 morning show...sorry should have mentioned that.

He also talked about how in markets like Calgary the media presence can make it difficult for younger players ie coaching staff telling them one thing, and hearing another message from the media.

thanks...... sounds like a very informative interview. hopefully they'll post up on the website

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

Who have the Coyotes lost because of money? Bryzgalov? Who else? Where are the superstars they lost because of money?

Their hands were tied in free agency.
Maybe Richards gets them past the King's in 11-12.
I doubt it, just sayin...

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by automaton 3

Was a phone interview on the 960 morning show...sorry should have mentioned that.

I'm sorry that you had to listen to the 960 morning show... Molberg and Warrener just suck so hard. Pinder is alright but being the alright center of a jackass sandwich doesn't make it taste good.

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

thanks...... sounds like a very informative interview. hopefully they'll post up on the website

If you have itunes (and can stand listening to them) you can download the show the day after.

[wretched34]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

Comparing the Coyotes to the flames won't win me over. We aren't looking to be better than we were before, we are looking to be better everyone else.

Who have the Coyotes lost because of money? Bryzgalov? Who else? Where are the superstars they lost because of money?


I like the hire, but not because of what was accomplished in Phoenix, as it was mediocre. The trouble in assessing is they had less money to spend on assessment, development and attracting talent in general including their prospects. Add to that many of their prospects haven't graduated to the NHL because of the teams long term view on development. That's what has me excited

You answered your own question.
Who did they lose from their team because of Money? Bryz is an example, but outside of that they've never really had a true superstar that demanded the money they couldn't offer (Doan has always given them a huge discount on his contract, to stay with the team), and they have never attempted to acquire one because of the inability to afford one. So to ask, who have they lost because of the lack of money, you could answer with, everyone demanding money.
They were more successful than the Flames and other teams, while having limited assets to acquire elite talent, while the Flames, and many other teams, spent to the cap, and had less to show for it in the end. I'd say that shows Phoenix Management did a better job of being successful in more ways than 1, and having someone with that mindset in the organization will be a great addition. It'll be interesting to see how Treliving moves forward with the team, now that he has the ability to acquire, or atleast consider acquiring Elite talent.

[neo45]

Phoenix management is considered league wide to be one of the most shrewd teams. Really happy to grab the number 2 guy from their org

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by New Era

Well, plan the parade route!

I would think that after all we have been through in the past couple of decades we would stop crowning every new hire as the savior and every guy fired as a loser...

I'm sorry, please show me the poster who has anointed Treliving "the saviour".

You are right on one hand: It is premature to pass judgement on how good a NHL GM he will be, but that IS NOT what anyone is doing. Quite to the contrary, people are giving him his just due: He is one of the BEST AGMs in the industry, and has absolutely earned the benefit of the doubt by virtue of his past accomplishments. That is ALL anyone is doing here: we are admiring his resumé, and are consequently hopeful that he can translate what looks to be a very impressive skill set at the next level.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

He is one of the BEST AGMs in the industry, and has absolutely earned the benefit of the doubt by virtue of his past accomplishments.

I wouldn't really say that's unequivicably true. It's not like there is some industry ranking of AGM talent. Can you say with any degree of fact based knowledge who the worst AGM in the industry is?

I mean... I'm not going to pooh-pooh the hire but at the same time I'm not going to declare it a good get right off the bat. He doesn't deserve any benefit of the doubt yet (and by extension nor does he deserve the doubt itself)... one or the other will be earned over the coming months and years.

My own initial thoughts are slightly on the positive side. Although I'm concerned that he was apparently the only one interviewed. I'd rather they pick a fish from a wide cast net then a short one.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Parallex

I wouldn't really say that's unequivicably true. It's not like there is some industry ranking of AGM talent. Can you say with any degree of fact based knowledge who the worst AGM in the industry is?

All you need to do is peruse the dozens of league-wide reactions that positively gush about this hire for the Flames. Perhaps no uniquivocality, but the surprisingly unanimous expert opinion seems to be that he has been one of the very best at his job in the NHL.

[Flash Walken]

The change of direction of this organization in 2 years has been incredible.

Going outside of the organization for both the president and GM? A productive deadline, trading away upcoming free agents. Leaving the trade deadline with a net gain in draft picks? Not spending to the cap.

Dare I say it, but there is a lot to be excited about.

[steveo]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

The change of direction of this organization in 2 years has been incredible.

Going outside of the organization for both the president and GM? A productive deadline, trading away upcoming free agents. Leaving the trade deadline with a net gain in draft picks? Not spending to the cap.

Dare I say it, but there is a lot to be excited about.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by steveo

I think it's quite achievable.

(Anybody want a peanut?)