2016 Garbage bag day @ the dome

[GioforPM]

This wasn't a very good interview for Hiller. But one correction from earlier posts. When he "complained" about not getting a start it wasn't when he was playing particularly badly. It was after two wins in a row, and all he said was something like "I don't know why I'm not starting, after a couple wins in a row".

[Strange Brew]

Seriously who cares what Hiller said in his exit. Even if he accepted total responsibility for his play, nothing changes. Lots of NHL players know how to handle the media and say what people want to hear.

[devo22]

treliving says he thinks that Gillies would be exempt from the expansion draft.

[AC]

Treliving said they have a feeling Gillies would be exempt from expansion draft protection as it stands.

Suggests adding a goalie this off-season wouldn't have to be short term.

[GranteedEV]

Backlund
-Frustrating year, high expectations but terrible start and never caught up
-really good group and core, believes in the group
-Career year is a bonus but takes responsibility on not making the playoffs
-Prides himself in always getting better, felt he took a step mentally - more poised and confident with the puck.
-Thought he created more offense all year and then got rewarded with good bounces at the end.
-New Pieces did take some time to jel but not an excuse - just too inconsistent
-Team is hungry with missing PO
-Going to World Championships, met World Cup coach, can't promise him a spot but it would be a dream come true. Try and help country win Gold.

[Looch City]

Backlund's attitude is awesome. Always wants to become a better player no matter the level he's playing at.

[GranteedEV]

Ramo
-Rehab is good and "progress a lot"
-just waiting to see what will happen with contract situation. Focusing on knee rehab for now
-Feels confident knee will heal and goal is to be better than he ever was
-For sure would entertain returning to the Flames, but has to consider with a lot of things. Management unclear to him what direction they were leaning
-Starts skating last week of June, back practicing (in Calgary?) in August

[Machiavelli]

I'm very conflicted on Hiller.

On one hand, I understand those who are angry with his performance and disappointed with his interviews (and I've definitely thrown out the 'don't let the door hit you' comment at a certain smooth-skating defenseman's exoit), but on the other hand I can see EE's point of view in the sense that goaltending is the most important position; I tend to sympathize with them above any other role.

Goaltenders are a special breed and can be a little fragile. They get too much of the blame when things go south, and are often lumped in with the defense when things go well. They've got the most important job and have a ton on their plate as it is, which is part of the reason why you never make them captain (right, 'Nucks?).

I'm not sure the 3-headed monster received enough criticism and I believe that's a huge reason for the poor goaltending performances, and set the tone for the rest of the season.

Take these comments from Hiller:

Ramo’s departure does bring about some much-needed clarity.

“It shows they believe in me and want me to be the guy right now — it might be different in a few days, few weeks, whatever,” said Hilller. “It’s definitely a little easier here — we at least know for the next few days or weeks that me and Orts are the guys here. The table is set a little more clear, I guess. We know what’s going on.

“I think in practice it’s easier — you get your own net and can focus on getting your work done — because you don’t have to worry about switching … not knowing what’s going on (or) what’s going on the next day or what’s going to happen.”

“With all the stuff not going our way right now, (three goalies in camp) was something else to worry about.”

http://calgaryherald.com/sports/hock...ash-of-clarity

“You have to kind of get confident in your game again, every time you’re out there,” Hiller said after Sunday's session. “If you play more games in a row, you kind of go out there and still feel confident from the game before. If a game doesn’t go that well, it normally gives you not too much time to think about so you can go right out there and have a chance to do better.

http://www.calgarysun.com/2016/02/14...hiller-for-now

“I won the last two games I played, and I still don’t play, so I think mentally it’s not easy,” Hiller said after the morning skate in anticipation of the clash.
“And you know it’s my contract year, and so it’s tough, tough not to think about those things.”

http://www.calgarysun.com/2016/01/14...art-in-a-month

A lot of 'tending is between the ears, and confidence is absolutely vital back there. Constantly questioning what your status with the club is can't be easy. Are you the starter? 1A? Potential 1C? Yikes.

Anyway, Hiller certainly could have been more PC but as a previous poster pointed out, it doesn't change anything. I think he truly wanted to be the guy to get the Flames into the playoffs, and when it was clear he couldn't provide that and the management didn't have any faith in him, I think his effort level did nosedive. I'm ultimately glad he's gone, as his confidence is clearly shattered and without that you don't have much as a goalie. Still, I wish him the best of luck.

[MarkGio]

If the 3 headed monster was all that kept us from getting the needed 5 wins to make the playoffs, then it should be a sweet season next year

[curves2000]

The truth is the entire team including management, coaching, special teams, forwards, defense and goalies weren't good enough.

I am no Hiller fan and his performance was awful but was Ramo's, Ortio's and Backstroms superb? The 3 out of the 4 goalies we had are flat out amazing then doesn't this mean our goalie situation is resolved for 16-17 season?

Let's not all have short term memory loss here as to the reasons why we are where we are. Hiller deserves a solid level of blame for the issue but that doesn't absolve

1) Gio and Hamilton being one of the worst D pairings at the beginning of the season. Injuries, new guy etc are excuses as well

2) Every analyst and most fans talked about the bad decision to have 3 goalies at the start. Not sure why this issue wasn't rectified sooner as it clearly was an issue. After we went with Hiller and Ramo it was discussed by GM and coach that this was indeed a factor in poor start

3) Ortio. Lets not forget how high a lot of fans and management were on this guy at the start. The thought was he was soooo good that he couldn't be placed on waivers as some team would pick him up. Now being honest here, how many of the other 29 teams are licking their chops to sign this guy based on his work? I believe he can be a potential back up for us but that's a maybe.

4) Special teams: Bottom feeders pretty much from start to finish. Not much else to say here

5) Lack of veteran scoring at the start and middle of the season. Plenty of players had a lot of goals February and onward but when we were still in the thick of the race in December a lot of our vets didn't show up. Management always talks about wins in October are just as important as in April but the truth is player production is vital when the games truly matter. Hat-tricks in game 80 of a bottom tier team don't do as much other than give the agent more ammo to present to management come contract time.

It may seem like I am sticking up for Hillers performance but I am not. The guy clearly didn't have it despite having a decent season last year. His lack of saves doesn't absolve management, coaching and other players from their jobs. His lack of saves didn't prevent the PP from being as pathetic as it was. The guy didn't play all 82 games. Every season there is a scapegoat but the problems persist.

Rant over. Sorry about the length.

[GranteedEV]

Frolik
-Injury getting better. Groin issue but was getting better. Should be good in a couple weeks. Gonna just rest.
-Talked to World Championships coach, said he can't do it because of the injury
-Disappointing not to make the playoffs but will try to learn from it next year
-Up-and-Down / inconsistent season for team

Colborne
- Would like to spend next 10-12 years here, be part of the group to bring the Stanley Cup Back here
- Believes in the core, starting with Gio, the backbone of this team.
- Hopefully not difficult to get salary worked out. Understands it's a business, he's been traded twice already "you're a commodity".
- Confidence grew this season, strength was up after off-season commitments paying off. Went to the front of the net, starting to win battles etc.
- Haven't had his meeting with Brad yet, has good relationship with his agent
- Understands Johnny / Monny's raises as priority one
- Poor start was the difference, not in the western conference. Too competitive, no gimme games. L.A. came in and took back their playoff spot, speaks to their character, I think the Flames have similar characteristics so we will come in next year the same way
- There has to be change. Results weren't there.


Stajan
- Reflecting back, it was a tough season. Work ahead.
- Young guys great. Best players are under 23
- No Dummy, knows where he is on the depth chart. Will accept whatever role to make team successful. Winning is everything
- Last 15 games you can see it on guys' faces. They just had to take care of business to keep a winning culture.
- Slow start was tough. Thinks never really clicked, not the comeback wins etc.
- If they want him at wing, sure. Came into Junior as a winger actually, but has only played center in the pros. Preference is center but easy to move to from center to wing. PK wasn't good, tough for a proud guy like him with his defensive role. Has to improve with the new faceoff rules that were implemented this year. Faceoffs are a 5 man thing, need wingers / D helping

[GranteedEV]

Jooris
-100% welcomes an opportunity to return, great city etc
-Up-and-down year personally. Seen both ends of the spectrum now.
-Biggest individual difference - thinks he's come a long way as a player / NHL life.
-Doesn't know why PK was so bad, sometimes it didn't feel it was so bad, but would just get caught by a goal or two that hurt the stats. Thought they did a lot of good things near the end of the year.
- Didn't change much in their systems, the shorties late in the year were just a chemistry thing
- PK needs to be better, but stats were misleading

Monahan
- Not Good to miss the playoffs.
- A lot of reasons we missed playoffs.
- We let more goals in than we scored.
- Contract is going to happen.
- Johnny is a great player. Would be cool to get same contract.
- Confident about team, right direction.
- Personally needs to step up and be much better next year.
- Banged up right now, so probably not World CHampionships.
- On Shoulder Injury: Yeah, I hurt my shoulder

[tvp2003]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

Boring Monahan
- Not Good to miss the playoffs.
- A lot of reasons we missed playoffs.
- We let more goals in than we scored.
- Contract is going to happen.
- Johnny is a great player. Would be cool to get same contract.
- Confident about team, right direction.
- Personally needs to step up and be much better next year.
- Banged up right now, so probably not World CHampionships.
- On Shoulder Injury: Yeah, I hurt my shoulder

Classic...

[devo22]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

Monahan
- Not Good to miss the playoffs.
- A lot of reasons we missed playoffs.
- We let more goals in than we scored.
- Contract is going to happen.
- Johnny is a great player. Would be cool to get same contract.
- Confident about team, right direction.
- Personally needs to step up and be much better next year.
- Banged up right now, so probably not World CHampionships.
- On Shoulder Injury: Yeah, I hurt my shoulder

boring Sean Monahan.

[Looch City]

Hahaha Monahan is brilliant.

[polak]

Sounds like Johnny and Sean have talked about having the same contracts, maybe Johnny is up for giving up some $$$ to play with his buddy long term?

Sign them both to max terms if that's the case.

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by polak

Sounds like Johnny and Sean have talked about having the same contracts, maybe Johnny is up for giving up some $$$ to play with his buddy long term?

Sign them both to max terms if that's the case.

6.5 x 8. Lets see some wizardry Treliving

[GranteedEV]

Bouma
- Not gonna change how he plays, that's the only reason he's in the league. This year was a tough year.
- Will have small surgery here, will train in Vancouver
- Injury derailed. Nothing clicked personally.


Grant
- Year went pretty good. Unfortunate time to get injured.
- Discussion to be had. Enjoys it here. Great Organization. Hopes contract gets done
- #1 Goal is to play in NHL, if that's here, he'd love it. Zero idea about exploring options, will think about it.
- Need good summer and training camp. Proved he can play here.
- Thought it was the best hockey he ever played this year
- A lot of forward, thought he could crack a spot out of camp. Got called up, thought he played well. Only so many roster spots/contracts. Two-way contracts are tough.
- Had a good year, could have a better year.
- Proved with his AHL numbers that he deserved an NHL shot. Didn't get the production up here he would have liked but thinks it's something he can do.
- Re: Monahan/Bennett/Backlund/Stajan - he's not stupid but he still saw an opportunity coming in. All teams have 4-5 guys, you have to beat someone out. You're not scared of competition but you do have to be realistic.
- It was Mason Raymond's point shot on a PP practice that bounced and broke his jaw.
- On Pacific Division / Stockton. Shorter schedule is nice (no 3-in-3s). Good fans there. Rink is really nice there. Renovations were good. "Not the best city in the world" obviously but there are good areas and good California weather.


Bollig
- Missing playoffs is a let-down. Don't wanna be in this position ever again.
- His first time ever missing out. Playoffs are the best time, fun, amazing, fan passion in the post-season.
- Gotta have a big summer. Hit ground running.
- League is not easy to win or play in.
- Wants to have a better personal season next year.
- Doesn't know what team was missing. Didn't get the bounces but no specific thing. Got better on paper. No one person's fault. Goaltending played well, D played well, forwards played well.
- D-core is huge on any successful team, this team can get there, great vet leadership
- Young superstars at forward
- Making it first four-five years, you expect playoffs are the norm. But it really does take an 82 game commitment
- Had good stretches, but weren't good enough over the 82 game season
- Bollig failed to apologize anywhere for screwing us out of 27th.

[Machiavelli]

Someone should have asked Bollig why he never stood up for anyone

[FBI]

Bollig: Goaltending played well

deeeerp