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Originally Posted by Angelino
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Toffoli and others publicly wanting out, however, can’t help the negotiations.
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That's Conroy's problem too though. There's unrest on many teams that have change at GM or coach in an offseason. Does it get out to the public? Not to the extent it has in Calgary right now.
Many Flames we find out were unhappy last offseason as were others, both just after MT and JG left, and Backlund after Kadri joined. Did that get out in June or July? Nope, after the season started and things settled down a bit. Treliving kept a lid on internal business via making sure agents kept quiet about this, as most GMs do. Did any players who may have wanted out in June or early July, change thier mind and stick around? Most likely. Conroy is asking this set of UFAs up front and making choices before the draft, and, not caring that it's public knowledge.
I don't see stories about players wanting out of Columbus or the Rangers or the Caps this offseason, as each of those teams goes in a totally different direction with coaches. You can't tell me that all the players on those teams are comfortable with that and are fine with those changes right now...but maybe by September those minds have changed.
Treliving's and Sutter as GM before him kept cards close to the vest. It drives media nuts and thus fans too as a result becuase of the lack of transparency, (as if that's a fan given right). But what it did do is allow the GM to do his work without the outside distraction of other teams knowing their business and dirty laundry. Both those guys as GMs made sure their business was not leaked internally or through agents or whoever, to the media, which is why those stories last year, and other years, around the league, don't ever see the light of day.
Here, early indications (and they are early, not just the trade) is that Conroy has built his brand with his CESC bosses on being transparent with media and fans and wanting players to decide on the spot in May and June if they want to be here....if they don't or are unsure at this point, they will let everyone know you want out and accommodate the moves.
While noble and may win you fan points and media praise for being open and honest and moving forward, there is dynamics involved with each of these UFAs, and once you've asked them to make a decision one way or another in June, and then cast them aside in the public light, there's no hope of them changing their mind, and other GMs will turn it into a feeding frenzy where Conroy gets less assets then he would when dealing from a position of strength. Players thinking about coming here and seeing all the internal laundry aired on TSN, would cause pause too; Treliving and Sutter before him could attract players becaise those players and agents knew that Flames under those those guys as GM,would insulate their players from media gossip by not engaging in it or assisting in it.
We will see how this all goes, but forcing players to choose, and then alllowing players and agents to be so public with internal, early offseason thoughts, is going to hurt the Flames. I realize Conroy wants not another JG or MT situation, but he's swinging too far the other way IMO in dealing with UFAs they may want to keep.
