[News] Darren Dreger: "I’m confused by the direction of the Calgary Flames."

[Flames Fan, Ph.D.]

Hockey watchers like Dreger think that everything works like a simple light switch: you can turn it off or on. So turn it off this year, and then when everyone you want is in the room next year, just flip the switch. Easy*.

Obviously it doesn't work that way. There are too many intangibles in a hockey season + playoffs to hope that you can declare everything "on" and go for it. It has to be more like a rheostat: keep the level consistent and rising because you never know when it may be your best chance.



* Mid- to lower rank tennis players try a variation of this where they'll tank a set with the resolve to start fresh with the next set. It's an unsuccessful strategy, because if you're playing poorly, there's no reason to think that you'll magically play better now that you've finished losing the set. The top players don't do this, but rather hang around to try and capitalize on an opportunity while using the time to improve / turn around their play.

[Oil Stain]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Hiller?

and who the hell else was out there looking to sign with a rebuilding team?

Vrbata, Grabovski, Moulson, Gionta, Jussi Jokinen.

I'm not saying there were a tonne of great free agents availible, but there were guys out there that would have been the Flames top scorer last season that went to poor teams.

With all of the capspace the Flames have, they could have made some more moves.

So it's weird that Dreger is confused, because it's pretty clear that the Flames management group isn't pushing all that hard to improve the team at present.

[bubbsy]

i'm not clear on what dreger is complaining/questioning about?

did i miss the news where the flames traded a young asset or high pick for a dman that steps in immediately and making the team better in the standings?

When your biggest offseasons moves are replacing cammalleri with raymond, getting a reclamation in setoguchi, and a bottom pairing d in engelland, think the message is pretty clear on the growth coming organically by the youth of this team growing into their potential. Now, where they land in the standings is anyone's guess at this stage, even management, and if they are in lottery pick range, they are at a stage that it won't be negatively viewed. No one is going to outright suck and help establish a losing culture.

this isn't edmonton.

other than having an insider view on rumous inside the NHL, i find dregger to often state the obvious, but when he goes out on a limb and actually decides to share his own thoughts on things, they seem pretty dumb for the most part.

[kehatch]

I don't agree with Dreger. The Flames have iced a team focused on development. Putting forward a roster designed to lose with rookies playing over their head is a good way to get high draft picks sure. But it creates a poor development environment.

You need veterans to shelter the prospects and generate competition. The Flames didn't give up big assets to bring on top players. Engallend and Setoguchi aren't exactly game changers.

I will say this though. If the kids out play the vets in camp (and they have) and show they are NHL ready (and they have) they better make the team. If guys like Setoguchi are on the roster while some of our stand outs are demoted I will start asking questions as well.

[Da_Chief]

Originally Posted by Oil Stain

Vrbata, Grabovski, Moulson, Gionta, Jussi Jokinen.

I'm not saying there were a tonne of great free agents availible, but there were guys out there that would have been the Flames top scorer last season that went to poor teams.

With all of the capspace the Flames have, they could have made some more moves.

So it's weird that Dreger is confused, because it's pretty clear that the Flames management group isn't pushing all that hard to improve the team at present.

Vrbata and Miller went to a team that thinks they can still win, they still have some aging stars there.

Grabovski and Kulemin went together as a pair.

Moulson went to a place he was familiar with.

Gionta is a has been, he'd be no better then what we have or signed.

Jokinen went to sunny Florida instead of cold Calgary winter.

We did get Raymond and even gave him a limited NTC. Hiller a decent 1A goalie. We're not at a point where we should be spending big money on UFAs not to mention most of the big ones want term which was a no-no cause we wanted those spots opened up in the coming years.

Next year, there are some dman available. I can see us going after them. eg. Mike Green is likely coming home next off-season.

[Enoch Root]

kehatch said it: development

It is about drafting AND developing. It is about picks AND prospects.

Deger got caught in the Oiler-esque trap of focusing on picks and forgetting about the rest. Picks are an integral part of a rebuild - and the Flames are doing a great job of acquiring and maximizing those picks.

But at the same time, an organization has to do a good job of developing the picks they already have (i.e. prospects). And that means leadership, culture, a good minor league system etc.

What Dreger and the tanker crowd don't seem to understand is that tanking to get a better pick has a cost and the cost is manifested throughout the prospects that already exist in the system.

Tanking is a bit of robbing Peter to pay Paul.

I would rather keep developing the guys we have and trying to maximize whatever picks we end up getting (whether it's first, 4th, or 8th).

Having said that, I agree that trading picks to get a Boychuk (i.e. a trade that is focused on the now) doesn't make much sense.

[edn88]

I think the Flames are smart enough to realize no matter where they finish, the NHL will rig it so they will not get McDavid...

[OzSome]

The only time Dreger pay attention to the Flames is either negative stuff or questioning their system. Dreger is talking loser talk by thinking it is better to tank the season than be competitive. If I am paying season ticket holder, I would be ticked off at the Flames organization if they don't even try to be competitive. I guess Flames organization are way classier than Dreger thinks. Is McDavid or Eichel a sure-bet to be like another Mario Lemieux or Sidney Crosby type or would he be like Alexander Daigle or even Nail Yakupov type? That's because a player is lighting up in junior doesn't mean he'll do the same in the NHL. Never like Dreger because I always thought he knows a lot about hockey.

[Geeoff]

I'm confused by Dreger's opinion. He does realize there's a salary floor, that we're barely at, right? Does he think Hartley should tell the Flames to lose games? We haven't even played any real games yet. (and I'm sure we're gonna lose a lot with this roster, since it's one of the worst in the league, on paper.) Is Dreger's rant because we have a winning record in preseason?

[#-3]

Originally Posted by Oil Stain

Vrbata, Grabovski, Moulson, Gionta, Jussi Jokinen.

I'm not saying there were a tonne of great free agents availible, but there were guys out there that would have been the Flames top scorer last season that went to poor teams.

With all of the capspace the Flames have, they could have made some more moves.

So it's weird that Dreger is confused, because it's pretty clear that the Flames management group isn't pushing all that hard to improve the team at present.

The Flames added Raymond and Bollig. A top 6 forward probably as good as any guy you listed, and a bottom six forward coming from a winning culture. And they are bursting at the seems with "NHL ready" forwards, most of whom you would be crazy to give up on right now.. I think they did everything reasonable to make the team better today, without risking where the team will be 2-3 years from now.

What is so confusing about this?

Lets Get better now, and make sure we will continue to get better. Seems like a solid management philosophy.

And I do think the Flames are better.

Monahan, Brodie, Russell, Colborne, and Bouma should all show improvement.

Raymond and Gaudreau should combine to replace Cammaleri just fine.

Glencross might be healthy.

Salary aside Engelland>Buter.

I even think Wideman should be better, because he has pretty much been better every year of his career.

And I think its fair to expect more of the same from Backlund, Hudler, McGrattan, Gio, and Smid, because they are proven assets that are far from over the hill.

the real question will be did every other team in the west (except Vancouver) get better too. They might be a better team and still be bottom two in the west.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Oil Stain

I dunno. It sure didn't look like they tried all that hard to improve the team this offseason.

It seems they are pretty content to ride this season out at the bottom of the pile and see what happens.

They are probably top ten in revenue and have the lowest payroll in the league. They could have dropped a big overpay on a good player, but they chose Engelland.

Are you serious? Thats always gone well.

I mean, its working out for David Clarkson, but usually it backfires on the team.

Either way, what would the point have been? This isnt soccer, you cant just buy everyone you want and sell or release everyone you dont. You cant remake an entire team through Free Agency and huge paycheques.

Engelland suits the needs for right now and we've got to hit the floor.

[djsFlames]

Ugh. I hope the Flames go on a tear to start the season, just to rub it in faces of these tank mentality so called analysts.

You don't play to lose. You never play to lose.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

Ugh. I hope the Flames go on a tear to start the season, just to rub it in faces of these tank mentality so called analysts.

You don't play to lose. You never play to lose.

Oh ... this again.

[Badgers Nose]

Flames will get a Marian Hossa type player when they need to - 2-3 years form now when they are a top ten team.

So maybe Dreger mixed some meds or something, because he went full ###### in his segment there.

The only beef would be if they sent Johnny down after he had outperformed other veteran guys. That's not good for his dev. But even with him the consensus is Flames will be a bottom dweller.

So basically Dreger makes no point and babbles like a stroke victim.

[Rick M.]

The title of this thread makes me think Dreger should go on concussion watch.

[GoJetsGo]

Originally Posted by Oil Stain

Vrbata, Grabovski, Moulson, Gionta, Jussi Jokinen.

I'm not saying there were a tonne of great free agents availible, but there were guys out there that would have been the Flames top scorer last season that went to poor teams.

With all of the capspace the Flames have, they could have made some more moves.

So it's weird that Dreger is confused, because it's pretty clear that the Flames management group isn't pushing all that hard to improve the team at present.

Care to shed some light on why the Oilers, who are leaning to the better half of a decade rebuilding, didn't sign any of these top free agents?

For a team that should be making bold moves to improve *now* with established players, why didn't the grease nab any of these players if they were willing to go to "poor" teams?

[GreenLantern]

Before when this rebuild started I was thinking "Alright, well.. Edmonton was able to draft a lot of good players, we take a few years off and then we can catch up to them and revive that battle of Alberta!" I never wanted to tank, but I figure these guys are a few years ahead of us so I have to accept the fact that they will have faster results.

But then Edmonton still sucked. So right now my thought process is more along the lines of man, wouldn't it be hilarious if we made the playoffs again before they did?

Go Flames Go!

[Kickazzflames]

I'm confused by his confusion on what direction we are supposed to be taking when we haven't done anything that could be confusing unless he heard a rumor about something that made him confused.

Sounds like the media being the media..

Just like the "Are the Flames rushing Sam Bennett?".. What are we supposed to do? Not invite him to training camp? Lets talk about this if he sticks around past 9 games.

And... If there wasn't rumors of flames making offers that could be causing the confusion than Trevling wouldn't be doing his job..

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by edn88

I think the Flames are smart enough to realize no matter where they finish, the NHL will rig it so they will not get McDavid...

I highly doubt it. Although if Arizona wins the McDavid sweepstakes it will look damn suspicious to me.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by edn88

I think the Flames are smart enough to realize no matter where they finish, the NHL will rig it so they will not get McDavid...

Ah, paranoia.

Reflect on this for a bit:

The Flames are not important enough for the NHL to bother conspiring against them.