STH meeting @11:45

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by Robbob

I just remembered a quick story Treliving had on Hudler in regards to his mentoring. Mentioned that he really pushed Gaudreau and Monahan. Said that sometimes when the kids would make a mistake he would come back to the bench and matter/curse in czech.

Treliving also shared a story after game two in Vancouver. After the loss on the way back to Calgary Treliving went to the back of the plane where Hudler was sitting in between Monahan and Gaudreau. The kids were struggling in the playoffs so Treliving wanted to have a chat. When Hudler saw Treliving he pretty much said don't worry I got this.

Heh, Yeah, all this Hudler trade talk is very likely 100% pointless. If he is traded, the return will probably blow our socks off.

[Hugh Jahrmes]

Originally Posted by Robbob

I just remembered a quick story Treliving had on Hudler in regards to his mentoring. Mentioned that he really pushed Gaudreau and Monahan. Said that sometimes when the kids would make a mistake he would come back to the bench and mutter/curse in czech.

Treliving also shared a story after game two in Vancouver. After the loss on the way back to Calgary Treliving went to the back of the plane where Hudler was sitting in between Monahan and Gaudreau. The kids were struggling in the playoffs so Treliving wanted to have a chat. When Hudler saw Treliving he pretty much said don't worry I got this.

That's awesome and exactly what every fan wants to hear.

It blows my mind that there were so called pros questioning the value of his contract in the beginning.. I'd always been a fan; never really watched many Detroit games, but I must have been paying attention at juuust the right moments because I was ecstatic when we signed him. Im sure we all have a handful of middle-tier players on other teams that seem to pull their magician moves when we are completely absorbed into a game, and they end up seeming special to us. On the flip side, I used to scheme up Chris Stewart trade proposals that likely would have crippled this franchise a few years back. Major props to management for bringing him in.. And as far as trading him, earlier in the season (15ish game mark, when I thought we'd be in fire sale mode by the deadline) i remember jotting down what I thought a lot of our vets could possibly be moved for and two guys i overvalued at the time (Hudler@1st+b prospect and Wideman@ 2x2nds and a bottom pairing d) now most likely hold phenomenal value and as such, either stick around or they not only stock the cupboards, they stack em (/corny)

[jroc]

I know there was a lot of speculation, but I don't think anyone officially spoke of it; Burke Mentioned that if the flames had made it to the conference finals, Giordano would have played for sure. Also mentioned that he's currently about 3 weeks from being 100%.

Man I love our captain

[united]

My summary, repeating what many have reported already. Lots of paraphrasing so don't take any quotes as being fully accurate - it's a lot to remember at once.

Building
- They were ready for an announcement right after the election but result has set that back temporarily. New government doesn't change much, just have to take the time to make sure they understand the scope of the project. Announcement coming soon - season ticket holders invited to the 'Dome to see it first. Spent a couple minutes saying he knows he's been saying that for five plus years and completely understands the frustration it has caused and accepts many wont believe him this time. Reiterated it will be the most ambitious project in Calgary in 50 plus years and everyone will love it, and it will be worth the wait.
- Expect the team to move into the new arena three years after the first shovel hits the gound
- The teams and fans deserve an arena with better access in and out, better sight lines, better seats, and better amenities. This will have it and more.
- Ken said fans of watching football will be much more comfortable doing so, and fans of amateur city sports will love the project as well
- A fan quoted King on the football comfort, directly asking if that means a dome or stadium with retractable roof. King said he couldn't answer at this time, but that the gentlemen is smart enough to figure out what he meant with his comfortable comments
- Arena will be about the same total capacity, but with two bowls
- Lower bowl will be much larger, and there will be more luxury suites
- A gentleman said he sits in level 3, row 1, and asked if there would be similar seats - King said sorry, we know you have the best-value seats in the league, but don't expect the new arena to have those in terms of view
- King followed up saying they do plan, in both the arena and football stadium, to keep price points close when the transition happens. Not just about money - they aren't greedy - but also about keeping the loyal fans.
- Football stadium will have a capacity between 30 and 35 thousand, expandable to 50 thousand for Grey Cup and similar event

Draft and free agency
- Scouting the top end guys is easy. Anyone can show up, watch a junior game, and identify Monahan, Bennett, Crosby, Tavares, etc., as great players. Scouts make their money after the first round, identifying the second and third liners and pairings who are being underused by their coaches in their draft year.
- Flames interview as many players as possible, to leave nothing to chance, but interviews become less important every year as every player comes in so well prepared by agents.
- Further to that, putting a big responsibility on the scouts to not only watch the players play and project their future, but also learn about their habits in practice, at school, at work, at home, how they treat people, etc. Interviewing coaches, training staff, teachers, arena staff, parents, neighbors - anyone they can think of.
- Have had conversations about moving up and down. Like to get a feel for the price each way, but getting top five will be almost impossible. Flames likely to stay put, but things could change minutes after the season ticket holder session ends
- Today (yesterday) we rejected two trade offers from teams looking to acquire one of our second-round picks. Both offered established NHL players in exchange, but we didn't like the player or their contract enough to consider it. Lots of teams trying to get into the second round or acquire additional second-round picks - good sign for the Flames with their three.
- July 1 is fools gold and a lot of mistakes are made, usually not so much in dollars but in term. You have to pay for free agents - no problem with the money usually, it's the players' right - but it's the extra year here, extra year there that kills teams.
- Cautioned the Flames aren't likely to be active, but again things can change quickly.
- Last year they had a couple other targets, but they expected they wouldn't be able to afford them in dollars or term. Sure enough they weren't close. Instead focused on signing players who may not be as good as the other high profile UFAs on the ice, but who were guys known for exceptional practice and off-ice habits, and who are exceptional mentors to the younger kids. Remember, this is a rebuilding team still.

Goalies
- No news here and likely no news until something is in writing
- They are of the belief that there is about five goalies in the league who are capable of separating themselves from the rest. Named Price and Lundqvist specifically. Unless you have one of the five, you need a backup who can play ~30 games for you. An average starter can't be playing 65, 70 games like the top 5 goalies when you account for travel and back-to-back situations.
- Meeting with Ramo's agent this week but that is standard for all pending UFAs as the deadline gets closer.
- Hiller has one year left which adds to the decision making
- Is Ortio ready to play 30 games in the NHL next year? Really their goaltending decisions revolve around that. To be determined. Notes Gillies is turning pro so that adds another wrinkle.

Team
- Giordano would have played against Chicago in round three. He's healthy now, but about 3 weeks away from being 100%. No concerns going into next year.
- Would not discuss any negotiations whatsoever.
- In regard to Monahan/Gaudreau bridge vs. long term, said obviously they couldn't say at this point which route to take, but the Oilers screwed the whole league on bridge contracts with the Penner offer sheet. Burke spoke up pretty angry about that still, haha. The risk of long term right away is if it takes the player to 27 or 28, they become a UFA right when they're in their prime. If you go bridge then long term, you maybe have the player into his early 30s. Unfortunately because of the Oilers there isn't a huge difference in price with either method with the top end guys.
- The powerplay needs to be better. Part of it is all the young guys learning what doesn't work in the NHL and also getting used to each others' tendencies and strengths. Joked it can't get much worse. *I found that intersting considering the Flames were 13th in % and 19th in goals/60*
- Same with faceoffs - most young players struggle because they aren't as strong and good at cheating as the veterans. A huge work in progress and an area that will need addressing if it doesn't improve. Burke says everyone talks about the possession aspect of faceoffs but to them that doesn't make a huge difference. Where it does kill you is constantly losing the faceoff allows the other team's coach to dictate the matchups - at home your last change advantage is nullified when the other team, more often than not, wins the draw and can immediately change. On the road teams can deploy any line they want knowing they will probably win the draw.
- Flames really value culture and work ethic. Treliving says all teams throw around the cliches about it but the Flames truly do, again noting signing free agents who are gym rats and practice like it's game 7 to help during the rebuild. Habits and culture are extremely difficult to introduce while at the same time being extremely easy to destroy. If someone isn't prepared to buy in, they will not be a member of the team for long. This is especially important for a rebuilding team - in 5 years the young guns will be the team leaders, if working their ass off on and off the ice and being good people to everyone around them becomes routine, it will for the next generation also. It gets mocked, but I can't say enough about how important it is to us. It's not a cliche, it's the truth. Jokes anyone who thinks leadership doesn't matter is either lucky or hasn't had a job requiring leadership.
- A gentleman asked if, hypothetically, a player who wears #87 or #91 who was a top, highly-decorated Canadian player, came to the Flames as a UFA and said I love the team and want to take a discount to play here, would the Flames make them switch to a number under 35? Burke went into a rant about how everyone gives him crap for being stubborn but he doesn't do it as rah rah team building, he does it to pay respect to the teams before the 1950s (Treviling chimes in and says "back when Brian was a player") who laid the foundation for todays NHL. They also use it as a badge of honour to signify a player has made the NHL full time. However, if Crosby or Stamkos came to us with an offer to take a big discount they can wear whatever number they want, though we would prefer one under 35.

Possession
- As always possession stats came up. Every team wants to be a possession team. No one intentionally tries to have the puck less than their opponent.
- That said, the Flames internally don't value all possession as being equal like corsi and fenwick do. According to the Flames' own internal statistics, the Flames were one of the top teams in the league at shot attempt differential in stretch pass, rush, and cross ice attempts, but they were one of the bottom teams in the league when it comes to generating attempts off sustained offensive zone time and the cycle. Bottom line is the team has to find a way to generate off the cycle - will research more after draft/free agency.
- The Flames have more than one internal stats guy and they work together, even though they haven't publicly said so. Burke says he isn't anti-stats, he's anti basic stats. If your idea of stats is subtracting corsi against from corsi for we aren't interested because we could hire anyone to do that or even do it ourselves in 5 minutes. We are interested in stats which give us insight no other team has, the adding and subtracting is laughable. Burke, Treliving, and Hartley get a binder of stats from the guys after every game for review.
- Burke mentioned the Sedins as two guys who aren't the fastest, but are tremendous generating shots off the cycle. Noted in games 1 and 2 it seemed like the Flames didn't even touch the puck when the Sedins were on ice. Flames need guys who can do that. Part of it is size, part of it is having a core who has been together long enough to learn each others' style of play and habits. Cycling the puck is much easier when you know the general area your linemate will go to. It will come with time.
- Flames stretch pass dominated the league this year and noticed teams starting to copy it. However at the start of the year they were tipping a lot of the pucks in instead of stopping them at the opposition blue line and hitting the trailing player with speed. Joked if you're tired, instead of tipping it in and changing you should take a shot on net from outside the blueline to get your corsi/fenwick up.

Size/speed/fitness
- Yes, the Flames would like to get bigger. No, the Flames won't get bigger for the sake of saying "look, we're big". Treliving says he could go out tomorrow and acquire 10 plays who are over 6'5, 200, and the Flames would finish in last place next year. Players with size are good, if they can skate and play.
- Speed is clearly the future of the game, if not what it is now. If you are a below-average skater, you better be great at other areas of the game or put the work in to become a good skater.
- Says everyone quotes him and Burke when they talk about size, but nobody quotes them when they talk about speed...because of their agendas and narratives to maintain.
- Laughs at how it's become trendy to quote Tampa as the model of just getting small, skilled players, yet people only say that in regard to Tampa's forwards which fits their narrative. Those same people will never mention the size of Tampa's defence - the biggest in the league - because it doesn't fit their narrative.
- Extremely happy with the work the new fitness guy has done, and how committed the players were in training camp. Says every player now leaves at the end of the season with a personalized nutrition and training plan - Johnny and Bollig don't do the same things just because they're both hockey players. *I didn't take this as a shot at the old fitness guy, more just giving information*
- That said, there are still players on the team who don't meet their fitness expectations. Those players need to get committed and figure it out. Named (did not single out) Ferland as one, saying he's just in average shape and they hope spending the entire summer in Calgary will get him into great shape. Said Ferly was tremendous in the post season, imagine what he could do if he was in great shape? We hope we find out, and verbally he is committed to getting there as well. Need to show it, though.

Prospects
- The Flames are in a situation where, like a couple years ago, they have a gap in top end prospects. With Monahan, Gaudreau, and pending something unexpected happening, Bennett making the big team next year, they have huge prospect holes to fill. A good problem to have, but one that needs addressing.
- A whole bunch of guys turning pro next year. Excited to see how they do at the next level (Smith, Klimchuk, Morrisson, for example)
- Really happy with Smith's play, but he needs to get faster to succeed. Because of his skating he's still very much a project. If he commits to getting faster he will be an NHL player, it's up to him to commit to doing so and putting in the work.
- Jankowski is treated like a suspect when really he's still a project. Burke said the Flames picking him where they did surprised him personally. Had an okay season but they did acknowledge he played really hard defensive minutes, especially at the end of the season. They suspect he will be captain next year and the go-to guy - excited to see how he does. They are working on bringing him to Calgary for most of the summer for training and on-ice development - thinks it would really help him. Still lots of potential, although slower than most developing. A gentlemen asked whether or not Jankowski would exploit the college loophole and become a free agent - Treliving responded they don't anticipate it being an issue with Jankowski but you always have to be aware when drafting college players. Noted that if they were to lose Jankowski they would be compensated with a second-round pick.
- Flames graduated six players last year while the league average is two. Very happy with player development

That's all that comes to mind. I'm sure a few lightbulbs will flick on later today and I will add accordingly.

[Roof-Daddy]

1. Gaudreau
2. Jooris
3. Granlund
4. Bennett
5. Ferland
6. ????

Who is the sixth player they graduated? Shore?

[heep223]

I'm excited about Ferland. The response from the fanbase to how hard he played during the playoffs should give him confidence that he can be an impact NHL player, and motivation to take his training to the next level.

[Bandwagon In Flames]

Originally Posted by united

- Jankowski is treated like a suspect when really he's still a project. Burke said the Flames picking him where they did surprised him personally. Had an okay season but they did acknowledge he played really hard defensive minutes, especially at the end of the season. They suspect he will be captain next year and the go-to guy - excited to see how he does. They are working on bringing him to Calgary for most of the summer for training and on-ice development - thinks it would really help him. Still lots of potential, although slower than most developing. A gentlemen asked whether or not Jankowski would exploit the college loophole and become a free agent - Treliving responded they don't anticipate it being an issue with Jankowski but you always have to be aware when drafting college players. Noted that if they were to lose Jankowski they would be compensated with a second-round pick.

This is great to see and gives me hope. That could end up being a big confidence boost for Jankowski going into his most important season to date. Not to mention he would likely feel even more obligated to sign with Calgary if they contribute to his development this summer.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by united

My summary, repeating what many have reported already.

Awesome stuff.

- The powerplay needs to be better. Part of it is all the young guys learning what doesn't work in the NHL and also getting used to each others' tendencies and strengths. Joked it can't get much worse. *I found that intersting considering the Flames were 13th in % and 19th in goals/60*

The second unit powerplay was brutal. We can't just keep hoping Johnny sets up Monny every time there's a powerplay.

- That said, the Flames internally don't value all possession as being equal like corsi and fenwick do. According to the Flames' own internal statistics, the Flames were one of the top teams in the league at shot attempt differential in stretch pass, rush, and cross ice attempts, but they were one of the bottom teams in the league when it comes to generating attempts off sustained offensive zone time and the cycle. Bottom line is the team has to find a way to generate off the cycle - will research more after draft/free agency.

Subtracting Raymond and adding Poirier and Shore would probably do wonders.

- Laughs at how it's become trendy to quote Tampa as the model of just getting small, skilled players, yet people only say that in regard to Tampa's forwards which fits their narrative. Those same people will never mention the size of Tampa's defence - the biggest in the league - because it doesn't fit their narrative.

I'm glad they recognized this and hopefully it's a sign they love Byron too. Gio/Brodie are a fine pairing, but adding a #3D with size would go a long way.

Had an okay season but they did acknowledge he played really hard defensive minutes, especially at the end of the season. They suspect he will be captain next year and the go-to guy - excited to see how he does. They are working on bringing him to Calgary for most of the summer for training and on-ice development - thinks it would really help him. Still lots of potential, although slower than most developing.

I would love if development time in Calgary really helped Jankowski take strides.

[hockey.modern]

With us having two tiers for the new arena is this what we can expect but bigger?

Spoiler!

Would love to see our new Arena similar to the United Center

Spoiler!

[Ozy_Flame]

That Edmonton thing, holy moly. Burke used the grenade analogy then, and he's clearly still of the opinion now.

EING.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

1. Gaudreau
2. Jooris
3. Granlund
4. Bennett
5. Ferland
6. ????

Who is the sixth player they graduated? Shore?

Shore, Wotherspoon are the only other two I can think of. Shore I think would be certain because of waiver status.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by hockey.modern

With us having two tiers for the new arena is this what we can expect but bigger?

Spoiler!

Would love to see our new Arena similar to the United Center

Spoiler!

I suspect it will be similar to how it's set-up in Pittsburgh (and Phoenix, and the new building in Edmonton), with two main seating levels (each with its own concourse), and one or two levels of suites in between:

[homestand]

Originally Posted by hockey.modern

With us having two tiers for the new arena is this what we can expect but bigger?

Spoiler!

Would love to see our new Arena similar to the United Center

Spoiler!

I think what we can expect for a lower bowl is as if all lower bowl sections are like current sections 103 to 105.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Shore, Wotherspoon are the only other two I can think of. Shore I think would be certain because of waiver status.

Yeah. Either way though, seems pretty fast and loose with the term "graduated".

[CroFlames]

Great news on the building front United, thanks.

I'm really pumped to see a stadium/arena complex. And it would be awesome to have a retractable roof outdoor stadium which it sounds like is the plan. Hopefully a grass pitch

[Barnes]

Originally Posted by hockey.modern

With us having two tiers for the new arena is this what we can expect but bigger?

Spoiler!

Joe Louis is over 20,000 so not bigger.

I think we can expect this but slightly bigger:

[skudr248]

Went to game 5 at Honda Center and really liked the layout there! Not a bad seat really anywhere

[GioforPM]

LOL at Burke. I've gotten to love the guy. But he still has go-to material: Penner, the Sedins, jersey numbers.

Did anyone ask how many ties he owns?

[hockey.modern]

If there is any more events, someone should ask about changing our jerseys to the retros.

[Hanna Sniper]

Originally Posted by united

My summary, repeating what many have reported already. Lots of paraphrasing so don't take any quotes as being fully accurate - it's a lot to remember at once.

Clicking thanks wasn't enough, just wanted to personally give a huge thanks for this post