Friedman: Flames in 'Danger zone'

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Sandman

Indeed, Kadri would certainly be a hot commodity to any contending team before the TDL. Oh, the possibilities!

I think he'd be the most desired pickup. Stanley Cup winner, high 2C on a contender (Bennett only better), a couple good leats left in him after that at what is now a decent contract. He shows no signs of age yet.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by devo22

yeah. My fear is just this:



I doubt it happens at this point, and I trust Conroy to make the right decisions. But given the Flames' a) disdain for the R word, and b) "you just have to get in and you never know what happens" mentality, you just never know for sure.

If Conroy didn't make a trade like that giving away futures when we were in the playoff race last year I doubt he'd do it when we are in last place this year.

[Strange Brew]

The 1000 games thing doesn’t seem all that newsworthy to me. A Kadri trade will take a long time to come together even if they were ready to move now.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

I think he'd be the most desired pickup. Stanley Cup winner, high 2C on a contender (Bennett only better), a couple good leats left in him after that at what is now a decent contract. He shows no signs of age yet.

Absolutely, he’s the type of player that helps you win in the playoffs. And then there’s the potential price; 33 year-old Brock Nelson fetched Calum Ritchie, plus a conditional 1st, and a conditional third at last season’s TDL. I’m not under the illusion that we’ll get a package that good, but one never knows…

[Toonage]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

The 1000 games thing doesn’t seem all that newsworthy to me. A Kadri trade will take a long time to come together even if they were ready to move now.

Exactly. he wouldn't be traded in the next 10 days.

[TOfan]

Originally Posted by Sandman

Absolutely, he’s the type of player that helps you win in the playoffs. And then there’s the potential price; 33 year-old Brock Nelson fetched Calum Ritchie, plus a conditional 1st, and a conditional third at last season’s TDL. I’m not under the illusion that we’ll get a package that good, but one never knows…

Goes without saying, probably, but it depends on the acquiring team.

I’d bet teams like the Leafs and the Avalanche will have interest but what would benefit the Flames the most, I believe, is if both Montreal and Carolina got in the mix. Both teams are relatively asset rich and Kadri seems like a great fit for both who certainly are looking now to compete.

[gvitaly]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

If Kadri decides to come out and say he wants to be part of what is going on here and finish his career in Calgary I think the flames would certainly honor that as long as he maintains the right attitude and effort. Maybe that is something he prefers rather than being moved to a team he has only some control over?

I feel like Kadri has to ask out or a team gives Conroy an offer he simply can’t refuse.

As much as I appreciate it when a player shows loyalty to CGY, you have to move on from either Kadri or Backlund.

Also, I just don't see how a player can keep the right attitude and effort when games become meaningless starting in November. You either want to win at all costs, or you're comfortable simply playing out your contract.

[Matty81]

Idiotic article, fear the rebuild because it might take a long time to come back from, so hang on to
... what exactly? A bad aging core with no hope of winning anything? this is a different era and everyone knows how it works. You have to be bad for a bit to be good again and fans know that.


I am worried an article like this comes out a week or two before we trade one of our best prospects to Columbus for Chinakov or whatever his name is or some other 40 point a year bum that the flames then given other 5x6m deal to.

[Rhett44]

Originally Posted by gvitaly

As much as I appreciate it when a player shows loyalty to CGY, you have to move on from either Kadri or Backlund.

Also, I just don't see how a player can keep the right attitude and effort when games become meaningless starting in November. You either want to win at all costs, or you're comfortable simply playing out your contract.

Backlund just signed an extension a few weeks ago. We probably should have never done that, but it is too late now and I don't think you can really trade him.

Kadri though, yes we should trade him for some assets.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by Rhett44

Backlund just signed an extension a few weeks ago. We probably should have never done that, but it is too late now and I don't think you can really trade him.

Loyalty means something when you're dealing with human beings. It means nothing if you think you're dealing with trading cards, or names on a roster in an EA Sports game.

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by gvitaly

As much as I appreciate it when a player shows loyalty to CGY, you have to move on from either Kadri or Backlund.

Also, I just don't see how a player can keep the right attitude and effort when games become meaningless starting in November. You either want to win at all costs, or you're comfortable simply playing out your contract.

This is basically correct. The young players will learn the games are meaningless and will adjust accordingly if they are on a losing team. Either you learn how to win or you learn how to lose, it is pretty simple.

[combustiblefuel]

[Rhett44]

Originally Posted by Jay Random

Loyalty means something when you're dealing with human beings. It means nothing if you think you're dealing with trading cards, or names on a roster in an EA Sports game.

I do think we are very nice as an organization, but it does not necessarily lead to winning. I sometimes wish we were a little more ruthless like Vegas or Florida who are more about making the right moves for the team.

Like when Florida traded Huberdeau without talking to him, because they knew it would help them long term. Yes, it soured their relationship with Huberdeau and he was vocal about how he was not happy with the situation, but no one cares about that now that they are winning.

Players are still wanting to go there. Players want to play for a winner.

That said, you can't trade Backlund after he just signed an extension and is your captain.

[metroneck]

I don’t get the desire to move Backlund.

He has a critical role, isn’t blocking a young player, cap hit isn’t an issue, and the mid-round draft pick return is nowhere near replacement value for what he brings.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Organizations like Florida and Vegas have more ability to be like that because they enjoy other significant advantages for why players want to go there, including tax benefits and generally being more attractive locations for some (not all) players.

Calgary is more than likely one of the least attractive destinations in the league. Some of that can change by finding a path to competing and a new building. And some players want the type of life style here. But it will still remain unattractive for a lot of NHL players.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by metroneck

I don’t get the desire to move Backlund.

He has a critical role, isn’t blocking a young player, cap hit isn’t an issue, and the mid-round draft pick return is nowhere near replacement value for what he brings.

Particularly if you are going to trade Kadri you need someone to play center.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by metroneck

I don’t get the desire to move Backlund.

He has a critical role, isn’t blocking a young player, cap hit isn’t an issue, and the mid-round draft pick return is nowhere near replacement value for what he brings.

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Particularly if you are going to trade Kadri you need someone to play center.

And he's known for getting the best out of younger linemates. Bennett, Honzek, Coronato.

[Rhett44]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Organizations like Florida and Vegas have more ability to be like that because they enjoy other significant advantages for why players want to go there, including tax benefits and generally being more attractive locations for some (not all) players.

Calgary is more than likely one of the least attractive destinations in the league. Some of that can change by finding a path to competing and a new building. And some players want the type of life style here. But it will still remain unattractive for a lot of NHL players.

While the tax break advantage is significant, if you build a winner players will want to come here. Players were not lining up to go to the Panthers before they started winning.

Vegas has known nothing but winning, so it is hard to say for sure in that situation.

[Karl]

The ship to move Backlund has sailed and it's gone. For good.

It sailed for good when that drunken idiot killed Johnny and Matty.

For better or worse, Backlund will see out the rest of his NHL days as a Flame. And we should be okay with that.

[cam_calderon]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Organizations like Florida and Vegas have more ability to be like that because they enjoy other significant advantages for why players want to go there, including tax benefits and generally being more attractive locations for some (not all) players.

Calgary is more than likely one of the least attractive destinations in the league. Some of that can change by finding a path to competing and a new building. And some players want the type of life style here. But it will still remain unattractive for a lot of NHL players.

It was a ruthless move by Zito and not something you could imagine in on everything Treliving or Conroy to actually have the balls to pull off. There's value in treating players well but I'm mildly amused whenever one of our fans decries the immorality of a Zito or McCrimmon, who have more cups between them in half a decade than we have in club history.

Beach weather and tax breaks are nice but with players so focused on success, doing whatever it takes to build a genuine contender is actually the best way to attract talent.