Five Questions with Brad Treliving

[nik-]

Originally Posted by JerryUnderscore

I completely agree with this. I'll be honest, I don't really care that much about winning the Stanley Cup. Sure, it would be (ney... will be) awesome to watch them win the Cup. However, there is so much luck involved in actually going all four rounds and winning. It's just as simple as building the best team and having that team win.

I'd much rather see us build a quality team that year over year is in the conversation for league leaders (i.e., Chicago, Pittsburgh, Washington, etc.) than I would see us mortgage the future in order to have one or two years of deep runs before needing to rebuild again.

Maybe the league has changed and this isn't a reality anymore, but that's certainly the dream.

Well that's just silly. How can a fan of a team not care if they are eventually the champs?

[Heavy Jack]

Originally Posted by polak

Top 6 picks, especially forwards, are expected to make an impact early. We may have been spoiled that both Monahan and Tkachuk did so in their first eligible year but lets not pretend the expectations for a 4th OA pick and a 24th OA pick like Backlund are the same. The reason people suggest trading him is that he might still have the perceived high end prospect value which he might never live up to and thus we might be better off trading him now before his "4th OA" value turns into "3rd liner" value. (For reference, Bennett is 12th in his draft for PPG).

Now that you all have your panties collectively in a bunch, I personally think his value is probably higher on the Flames vs. in a trade at this point. He'll be on a cheap bridge deal and still has plenty of time to break out. If the opportunity to swap him for a really great long term addition is out there then sure, do it but there's no reason to sell low for the sake of it. Bennett and his small cap hit will not be a concern going forward even if he doesn't improve.

Haha come on. Where's this post is terrible when you need him?

Bennett is growing just fine, will be where Backlund is way ahead of Backlund so I have no worries about his play.

Backs hit 18 G / 35 + points as a 25 year old. Bennett did it at 19. Your right comparing them is stupid, but not the being patient part.

[polak]

Originally Posted by Heavy Jack

Haha come on. Where's this post is terrible when you need him?

Bennett is growing just fine, will be where Backlund is way ahead of Backlund so I have no worries about his play.

Backs hit 18 G / 35 + points as a 25 year old. Bennett did it at 19. Your right comparing them is stupid, but not the being patient part.

Did you read my post?

[Jacks]

"now there is a believe system that is being built"
"he's gotten on a role"

They need a proofreader.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by Jacks

"now there is a believe system that is being built"
"he's gotten on a role"

They need a proofreader.

Apply, since you care.

[Jacks]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

Apply, since you care.

Wow, little cranky this morning?

[Gaskal]

From this I'm guessing the Calgary Flames playoff motto for 2016-17 is gonna be "#Believe". Not a bad replacement for "#NeverQuit".

[sempuki]

Originally Posted by Gaudfather

Flames fans have been a bit spoiled by recent examples such as Monahan and Tkachuk where 18 year olds were able to play meaningful roles with the team from the get go. The more usual development process is more like 3-4 years to really learn and adjust to the NHL game. Bennett is on track and I would expect a meaningful step up in his impact in another year or two.

I think it's important to note *why* those two players are exceptional: they both came into the league physically matured (a filled out adult body), and both have exceptional mental stability. For Monahan, it's that "boring" personality where he doesn't get high or low, but just even. For Tkachuk it's living and breathing pro hockey almost his entire life through his NHL father.

It took a while for Backlund to be as physically strong as he is now, and it took a while for him to handle the psychological side of the game. For Sam he still needs to fill out physically, and I think there's been great progress in how he thinks the game (slick junior moves single-handed won't work on NHL defensemen).

[JerryUnderscore]

Originally Posted by nik-

Well that's just silly. How can a fan of a team not care if they are eventually the champs?

Of course I want them to win the Stanley Cup. It's just that I don't think the team that wins the Stanley Cup each year is necessarily the best team in the league.

For example, Washington and Minnesota are the best teams in the league this year. Washington is on pace for 120 points, with Minnesota on pace for 117 points. Those two teams are the best in the league. But it wouldn't surprise me if neither team makes it to the Stanley Cup Finals.

And if either team loses before the Finals, the narrative will be "They didn't want it enough" or "They don't have enough playoff experience" or "Ovi isn't a really leader" or some other nonsense. In truth, either team could run into a hot goalie in the first round and easily get bounced. The playoffs, more often than not, come down to luck.

So do I want to see the Flames win the Stanley Cup? Of course I do. Will I be bothered if they become a powerhouse team that is in the running every year but never seem to land the bounces that actually bringing them the Cup? Not really.

I would rather see the team dominate the regular season year after year than see them squeak into the playoffs and go on a fluke run.

[Jacks]

Originally Posted by JerryUnderscore

The playoffs, more often than not, come down to luck.

I'd argue that regular season success has more of a luck factor than the playoffs. Facing teams on back to backs, facing the back up goalie, travel schedules, etc play a part in regular season success. A 7 game series where both teams have the same rest between games, same travel and all of the best players are on the ice tends to even the playing field. Sure you may run into a hot goalie but usually the better team comes out in the end IMO. Some teams/players just have another gear in the playoffs and thrive on the pressure.

[jaikorven]

Originally Posted by Jacks

I'd argue that regular season success has more of a luck factor than the playoffs. Facing teams on back to backs, facing the back up goalie, travel schedules, etc play a part in regular season success. A 7 game series where both teams have the same rest between games, same travel and all of the best players are on the ice tends to even the playing field. Sure you may run into a hot goalie but usually the better team comes out in the end IMO. Some teams/players just have another gear in the playoffs and thrive on the pressure.

While I see your point here and agree with it, I do agree with JerryUnderscore's basic premise that I would rather them be a constant contender over a number of years than just winning the cup once in the next 7 or 8 years.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by JerryUnderscore

Of course I want them to win the Stanley Cup. It's just that I don't think the team that wins the Stanley Cup each year is necessarily the best team in the league.

For example, Washington and Minnesota are the best teams in the league this year. Washington is on pace for 120 points, with Minnesota on pace for 117 points. Those two teams are the best in the league. But it wouldn't surprise me if neither team makes it to the Stanley Cup Finals.

And if either team loses before the Finals, the narrative will be "They didn't want it enough" or "They don't have enough playoff experience" or "Ovi isn't a really leader" or some other nonsense. In truth, either team could run into a hot goalie in the first round and easily get bounced. The playoffs, more often than not, come down to luck.

So do I want to see the Flames win the Stanley Cup? Of course I do. Will I be bothered if they become a powerhouse team that is in the running every year but never seem to land the bounces that actually bringing them the Cup? Not really.

I would rather see the team dominate the regular season year after year than see them squeak into the playoffs and go on a fluke run.

You'd make a great Sharks fan. 😉

[JerryUnderscore]

Originally Posted by Jacks

I'd argue that regular season success has more of a luck factor than the playoffs. Facing teams on back to backs, facing the back up goalie, travel schedules, etc play a part in regular season success. A 7 game series where both teams have the same rest between games, same travel and all of the best players are on the ice tends to even the playing field. Sure you may run into a hot goalie but usually the better team comes out in the end IMO. Some teams/players just have another gear in the playoffs and thrive on the pressure.

I disagree. Yes, you will have situations where you face a backup goalie on the second half of a back-to-back, but I would imagine all teams face roughly the same number of games on the second half of a back-to-back.

However, you can't honestly tell me that what Washington is doing this season is lucky or a fluke. It's hard to be lucky for 82 games in a row. It's even more difficult to see a team sustain a high level of play year over year and simply be lucky.

Luck might allow Minnesota to current sit ahead of Chicago when maybe they should actually be #2 in the West, but luck isn't going to make a basement team a contender.

There is a certain amount of random chance that happens in every game. Which means every team will go through stretches, including playoff games, where the results are not truly indicative of their skill level. Every year this means teams that shouldn't make it through a round do and teams that should advance don't.

You can't win the Stanley Cup without being good, but being good is not a guarantee you will win the Cup.

[robertsfanatic]

while I can appreciate what you're saying Jerry, I would rather squeak into the playoffs every year and win multiple cups than be a regular season powerhouse.

[Huntingwhale]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

You'd make a great Sharks fan. ��

The Sharks at least make the WCF on occasion and the finals last season. While it would nice to have a team that competes at a high level during the regular season year after year, the ultimate goal is the cup. Period. Ask Caps fans how they feel knowing they can't get over the hump. For 10 years the Sharks had the choker label. History looks down upon teams that can't get over the hump.

The Hurricanes are a good example. Only 2-3 big runs, a cup win, but are mostly irrelevant most seasons. Was the cup win worth it to sell your soul to be treading water for years after? I'd probably do it. Or would you rather be the Caps and be near the top all season long, but know you're going to choke in the playoffs. To me that's the ultimate torture. Dangle a carrot in front of a starving man's mouth and get oh so close, but never reach it.

Hopefully instead of picking either of those scenarios, we can be a 3rd and that's to become a team like the Wings or Hawks. Sustained regular season success, and a good shot at the cup for a long long time.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by robertsfanatic

while I can appreciate what you're saying Jerry, I would rather squeak into the playoffs every year and win multiple cups than be a regular season powerhouse.

If your team is good enough to win multiple cups, it's all but certain that it will be a regular-season powerhouse, too.

[Fan in Exile]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

The Sharks at least make the WCF on occasion and the finals last season. While it would nice to have a team that competes at a high level during the regular season year after year, the ultimate goal is the cup. Period. Ask Caps fans how they feel knowing they can't get over the hump. For 10 years the Sharks had the choker label. History looks down upon teams that can't get over the hump.

The Hurricanes are a good example. Only 2-3 big runs, a cup win, but are mostly irrelevant most seasons. Was the cup win worth it to sell your soul to be treading water for years after? I'd probably do it. Or would you rather be the Caps and be near the top all season long, but know you're going to choke in the playoffs. To me that's the ultimate torture. Dangle a carrot in front of a starving man's mouth and get oh so close, but never reach it.

Hopefully instead of picking either of those scenarios, we can be a 3rd and that's to become a team like the Wings or Hawks. Sustained regular season success, and a good shot at the cup for a long long time.

You would rather be a Canes fan than a Capitals or Sharks fan? I definitely would not. Yes I'm sure it's frustrating for their fans that they can't win the Cup but I disagree that they "know" they'll choke in the playoffs. The reason I'd rather be a Capitals or Sharks fan is that despite having your heart broken, you still have hope every year that this can be the year they make it over the hump.

In any event, the initial premise is whether it's worth it to wait for Bennett to fully develop. I agree that while the ultimate goal is to win a Cup that it isn't required to make it the correct or worthwhile to wait for Bennett to fully develop. And I also agree that we aren't going to have to wait until Bennett hits 27 to see him make full impact anyway so the whole discussion is moot.

[Huntingwhale]

Originally Posted by Fan in Exile

You would rather be a Canes fan than a Capitals or Sharks fan? I definitely would not. Yes I'm sure it's frustrating for their fans that they can't win the Cup but I disagree that they "know" they'll choke in the playoffs. The reason I'd rather be a Capitals or Sharks fan is that despite having your heart broken, you still have hope every year that this can be the year they make it over the hump.

In any event, the initial premise is whether it's worth it to wait for Bennett to fully develop. I agree that while the ultimate goal is to win a Cup that it isn't required to make it the correct or worthwhile to wait for Bennett to fully develop. And I also agree that we aren't going to have to wait until Bennett hits 27 to see him make full impact anyway so the whole discussion is moot.

I was just using the Canes as an example. I would prefer to win a cup, go to the parade downtown and reminisce about the run for the rest of my life, and then suck for a while, then have my heart broken every year choking in round 1 or 2. Didn't we already live through enough first round heart breaks with the Flames from 1990-2009? Was that fun? 30 years from now are Caps fans going to reminisce about the good ol' president trophy days? We make fun of Vancouver for having won ''nothing'' even though they have 2 president trophies. If one of them brings it up, we laugh at them because it means nothing.

LA sold their souls for both cups wins and it looks like they are on the decline now. The Red Wings are finally in the same boat. Ask either of those fanbases if it's worth it to go to a Stanley Cup parade knowing you sold your soul. Maybe not everyone would do it and that's fine. But I would.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by Jay Random

If your team is good enough to win multiple cups, it's all but certain that it will be a regular-season powerhouse, too.

Not true.

Los Angeles won multiple cups and has only once finished as high as 2nd in the pacific/7th in the league since 2010.

In their two cup winning seasons they finished 13th and 10th, or 8th and 6th in the West.

Definitely not a powerhouse.

[GoJetsGo]

And lets not forget the recent incarnation of that terrible, disgraceful Vancouver Canucks squad that dove and embellished their way to several statistically-strong regular seasons only to fold / falter like the heartless group they were in the playoffs.

I'll take a cup over consistent top regular season success any day.