[News] Friedman's 30 Thoughts - Updated Feb 5

[Clever_Iggy]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

Why would a GM with proven rebuilding experience take a job as second fiddle on a rebuilding team?

I tend to agree which is why I think the base case scenario would be someone with a very strong scouting background from an organization that has drafted well and built a winner through its farm system OR a guy who's ridden shotgun with a GM who rebuilt a team. Either way the Flames would be stronger and that person would be a complement to Burke and would be able to learn from him as well.

Either way, Nieuwendyk doesn't fit what I'd like to see and has a pretty bad track record. I'd rather strike out on someone new than another team's has-been. He is pretty much my last choice... behind Burke just deciding to do it himself.

[Canada 02]

Brendan Morrow for Joe Morrow
Jagr for a 1st
Roy for a 2nd

one bad trade obscures some good work; easy to say in hindsight the Goligoski trade was bad. At the time, Goligoski was in his mid-20s, ended up with 45 pts for the season, up from ~35 the year before. He looked well on his way to developing into a top pairing d-man - the Stars had Eriksson and Benn on the left wing, and could afford to move Neal. It didn't work in the end

Anyways, I'm not sure the assistant GM candidates out there, who do not have an obvious record of good or bad deals on their records, would necessarily be a better choice than someone who has been in the job, and could learn from his good and bad experiences

[Vulcan]

I like Backlund but with the Stajan signing, you need to question Backlund's future.

Matt Stajan takes a slight cut to his average annual value to stay in Calgary. He's their best faceoff man. Only Mikael Backlund takes more and his future in Calgary is uncertain.

The way I see it now and in the immediate future is Stajan is the #1 centre, even if it doesn't always appear that way. Colborne is being groomed as the third line centre who will be able to play against other teams top lines. He's too good or will be to play 4th line. Monahan gets the second scoring line duties and with the thought that he'll soon take over Stajan's spot.

As for the 4th line, that centre spot can be filled with any of our rookies or a combative vet.

I could see Backlund bringing back a reasonably good, young and big winger.

[Atodaso]

Am I the only one who found it natural to read his thoughts with his trademark monotonous voice?

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by Canada 02

Brendan Morrow for Joe Morrow
Jagr for a 1st
Roy for a 2nd

one bad trade obscures some good work; easy to say in hindsight the Goligoski trade was bad. At the time, Goligoski was in his mid-20s, ended up with 45 pts for the season, up from ~35 the year before. He looked well on his way to developing into a top pairing d-man - the Stars had Eriksson and Benn on the left wing, and could afford to move Neal. It didn't work in the end

Are you sure those are Nieuwendyk moves? I think some or all of those are by his successor.

As for the Goligoski trade many people were questioning it immediately. No hindsight needed on that one although the hindsight makes it look more horrible.

Arguably both Niskanen and Neal are better than Goligoski which means it was an abysmally bad deal.

[Gravitykillr]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

Are you sure those are Nieuwendyk moves? I think some or all of those are by his successor.

As for the Goligoski trade many people were questioning it immediately. No hindsight needed on that one although the hindsight makes it look more horrible.

Arguably both Niskanen and Neal are better than Goligoski which means it was an abysmally bad deal.

http://www.nhltradetracker.com/user/...Nieuwendyk/230

those deals were done by him

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by Gravitykillr

http://www.nhltradetracker.com/user/...Nieuwendyk/230

those deals were done by him

Indeed. For some reason I thought he was fired earlier than that.

[Gravitykillr]

I wasn't sure either that's why I looked it up. Pretty hit and miss, a few descent ones and a few bad and a few that really didn't matter either way.

[TorqueDog]

Originally Posted by Atodaso

Am I the only one who found it natural to read his thoughts with his trademark monotonous voice?

It's more interesting if you imagine PJ Stock's face turning red behind him as he's speaking.

[Ped]

Add the Ryder for Cole deal as an awful deal - scorer on an expiring contract for a non-performer on a longer one.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by Ped

Add the Ryder for Cole deal as an awful deal - scorer on an expiring contract for a non-performer on a longer one.

Nieuwy threw in the only pick in that deal as well, a 2013 3rd rounder.

Of course, hind sight is 20/20. Cole was struggling at the time of the trade, but he did pot 35 goals the year before. He's also on pace for 20+ this year.

[The Swedish Flame]

I like what Friedman said about the Flames' skate. That Hartley is pushing the guys in practice to improve and do their best speaks volumes about the work ethic/commitment that he demands from his players. Regardless of whether he's the guy to lead us after this season, that makes me happy.

[BigTuna]

Originally Posted by Canada 02

Brendan Morrow for Joe Morrow
Jagr for a 1st
Roy for a 2nd

one bad trade obscures some good work; easy to say in hindsight the Goligoski trade was bad. At the time, Goligoski was in his mid-20s, ended up with 45 pts for the season, up from ~35 the year before. He looked well on his way to developing into a top pairing d-man - the Stars had Eriksson and Benn on the left wing, and could afford to move Neal. It didn't work in the end

Anyways, I'm not sure the assistant GM candidates out there, who do not have an obvious record of good or bad deals on their records, would necessarily be a better choice than someone who has been in the job, and could learn from his good and bad experiences

I dunno. I heard so many negative opinions on that trade when it happened.

[kn]

Might as well see if Loob, McDonald, Gilmour or Fleury are available... Maybe Iggy wants to retire early and take the job. He was the defacto GM when he was here anyway so it's not like he doesn't have experience.

Seriously though...

As a player, Nieuwendyk left here after a contract dispute, holding out until traded. Now as a potential GM, has already indicated a reluctance to take the position. The Neal trade and choosing Crawford over Tippett are glaring mistakes, regardless of how much he's learned in the process.

I'd rather just have Burke do the job. Actually, I'd rather have Burke do the job regardless of who we'd get.

[MrMastodonFarm]

I must be one of the few who doesn't cringe when I hear Joe Niewendyk might take over as Flames GM. He's not my first choice but I don't hate it. He had a shot as a very young very raw manager and did some good things and some bad stuff but I think with a grizzly vet like Burke to talk to on a daily basis, bounce ideas off it, guide him etc he'll do well if he comes back to Calgary.

Not thrilled with what he did in Dallas but Joe is a smart hockey guy and with a leader to guide him like Burke and his "rookie" mistakes out of the way I wouldn't mind seeing him take over.

[Yrebmi]

I wonder if a Gm who has a record of winning trades, finds his reputation gets in the way of future trades. Other teams might second guess the value of a player that Burke covets based on Burke's prior wins.

Perhaps other GMs might overlook Burke's influence on a GM with a less sterling record.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Yrebmi

I wonder if a Gm who has a record of winning trades, finds his reputation gets in the way of future trades. Other teams might second guess the value of a player that Burke covets based on Burke's prior wins.

Perhaps other GMs might overlook Burke's influence on a GM with a less sterling record.

I don't know, I think these guys are all high ego characters and would never admit to themselves that someone got it over on them, or if they did they'd be out for revenge.

[Flames Fan, Ph.D.]

This is irrational, but I just don't want to listen to a press conference where a newly hired Nieuwendyk says he's proud to be with the Calgary Flames. It would ring hollow.

[MissTeeks]

Here is this week's article. No Flames stuff, but a bit on the Oilers.

http://www.cbc.ca/sports-content/hoc...-deadline.html

7. In the midst of last week's craziness in Edmonton, Oilers president of hockey operations Kevin Lowe offered to step away from his position if it would take the heat off the organization. Team owner Daryl Katz refused. There are a couple of other things at play here, too. I think Oilers GM Craig MacTavish also believes in Lowe and wants him there. After the story ran, another exec reached out to say: "I'm not sure if this is part of the plan but if Lowe stays, he's also buying MacTavish time by taking the heat."
8. The next test for the Oilers is San Jose. A tough one. But I'm very curious to see if Martin Marincin-Jeff Petry turns out to be a legitimate pair for the Oilers. You can see why the Vancouver Canucks wanted Marincin in a proposed Cory Schneider trade and Petry's looked very calm with him.

The Olympics:

26. If players decided tomorrow they didn't want to go to Sochi for security reasons, both the NHL and their individual teams would be thrilled. Said one exec: "Of course, we're concerned. But what can we do?" Agents are worried, too. But they've been told that since the arenas and accommodations are inside the main compound, the players will be in the safest possible area. They're putting faith in that.
27. One of the concerns is the plan if something happens after the players get there. NHL charters land on Feb. 10. But they aren't scheduled to return for trips home until Feb. 20. It is believed the U.S. State Department has an evacuation plan for its athletes. However, the process for that (and for other countries) is being kept pretty quiet. Let's hope none of this ever matters.
28. There've been a number of family cancellations in the past two weeks and that's not bothering anyone since players were encouraged back in the summer not to bring them. Families are not going to be in the above-mentioned "safe area."

A tidbit on compliance buy-outs:

29. I haven't done it publicly, thank goodness, but I believed teams could use compliance buyouts on any player under contract. That's not true. Anyone signed post-lockout is not eligible. Adjust your wagers accordingly.

[MissTeeks]

Here is this week's:

http://www.cbc.ca/sports-content/hoc...ic-debate.html

3. The price on Vanek is believed to be high. The Islanders gave up a lot to get him.

5. One of the reasons Los Angeles is interested in Sam Gagner is the team's third-worst power play. Gagner was 28th overall in extra-man points last season, with 15. Among Kings, only Anze Kopitar had more, with 16. Even as Gagner suffered through recovery from his broken jaw in 2013-14, only four L.A. forwards have more power-play points than he does. Plus, the Kings' centre quartet could be Kopitar, Mike Richards, Gagner and Jarret Stoll. Not bad.

6. The biggest hurdle to this trade is the Kings' cap situation. Gagner carries a hit of $4.8 million US and L.A. is looking to contend, not subtract. I'm not sure how much (if at all) Edmonton is willing to eat of this contract. Some of you asked if a team can only absorb salary in the season the trade is made. The answer is no. The Oilers could theoretically do it for the three years of Gagner's deal, if they wanted.


7. The proposed return? Not certain. Edmonton fans drool over Jake Muzzin, but I'd be stunned. L.A. only has five current defencemen locked up for next season and Matt Greene's injuries have complicated negotiations. Their best prospects aren't on the blue-line. This is another position the Kings are looking to address.

14. Hearing New Jersey, looking for forward help, is interested in Mike Cammalleri. Do the Devils have what Calgary wants to get this done? No first-rounder this year, so they probably wouldn't want to move a second-rounder, either. And teams are loathe to move their 2015 first-round picks (Connor McDavid).