[Rumour] Flames to name Conroy GM. Nonis in an executive role; Iginla advisor

[ben voyonsdonc]

One of the biggest lessons of the Tre era (particularly early on) is that when you trade away draft picks for veteran contracts, you aren’t just trading away prospects…you are trading away players who would eventually be playing on ELCs for guys who aren’t.

To be successful in the cap era, an ELC has huge value and the opportunity cost in losing them should be factored into whenever you make a trade. The Hamonic trade hurt, not just because we picked up a guy who didn’t perform as we expected that he would, but also because we gave up a ton of flexibility that we’d have had if we had drafted young players and had them play on cheap deals. Not only could they have blossomed into great players but, as they were developing, they’d be really cheap.

I’m hopeful that Conroy has learned this lesson and will ensure that young players are prioritized over vet min deals and is loath to move draft picks/developing prospects for vets unless it is a no brainer.

[Roof-Daddy]

Dang, I was enjoying reading through this thread but then a couple of the resident morons crawled out from under their bridges to spew their usual useless drivel and ruined it.

I really need to start using the ignore list.

[camm13]

Originally Posted by keenan87

Because it's never a bad idea to have a mentor? Especially if it's your first time doing something. Someone to bounce ideas.

You realize even CEOs of big companies have mentors, right?

Then you might as well hire Boudreau as HC and have Love as an asst.

[Bingo]

Took a long time to catch up!

I've said a few times the best chance at finding a Bill Torrey / Al Arbour combination is likely promoting from within if you think they're qualified and the right choice.

The next up and coming guy is in demand and will be picked by the best vacant team.

I like Conroy the person, can't speak to what he can or can't do but I'm encouraged by what some are saying, and I like that Maloney has been with him for 7 years.

Old boys club ... I cringe at first. But then I'm on the side of the argument that Calgary isn't and won't be a destination. Maybe qualified ex Flames with heart strings bringing them back is a small way to attempt and level the playing field.

Either way I like the Ted Lasso feel to it, and I'm hopeful.

[Paulie Walnuts]

A nice article from 2020 by Wes Gilbertson on Conroy.

https://calgarysun.com/sports/hockey...r-craig-conroy

[Aarongavey]

Hoping that Conroy comes in with a plan to build for the future. Great opportunity to turn 3 or 4 players into a lot of picks and prospects. Maybe Iginla can tell him about the time to Flames trade Nieuwendyk.

[mile]

Boudreau was open to the idea of joining the Leafs as an assistant a few years ago. I think he loves the game so much that's he's willing to coach in a smaller role.



I think he's destined for a Coach's Corner-like segment on TV though

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by Manhattanboy

Even if it’s for a significant loss I hope Kadri is gone.

Set the proper tone right off the bat by trading his lazy bad attitude ass.

His play down the stretch was a disgrace.

He’s an embarrassment to the organization.

I have never disliked a Flames player more.

Or....
Figure out what happened and what demotivated him and address it rather than shedding assets to trade a player who could go on to excel elsewhere.

[Gazza]

Originally Posted by DazzlinDino

Those guys got rewarded and promoted after failing at thier jobs. That's not what's happening here. I don't think that's a fair comparison at this point.

Agreed. Conroy was an AGM for 9 years and is promoted to GM. Before that, he was with the team in some capacity for 3 years.

Consideration to bring in a former teammate who has been coaching in another organization is not OBC and a lazy take.

Sent from my SM-S901W using Tapatalk

[ben voyonsdonc]

I hope that Conroy, when he sees a gap on the team, asks “is this something that we can fill internally?” I also hope that, if we have a surplus of talent because of development success stories, that he is willing to be a bit ruthless in moving the older guys for prospects and picks to try to address areas of organizational weakness.

We tend to plan for windows of success when maybe we need to shift towards a view of more sustainable success through internal development and regular turnover.

[curves2000]

Anybody else a little concerned with how much water some members of the Calgary media are really pumping the tires on Conroy as GM? It's been a lot.

Do I think Conroy has earned his promotion? Yes. Is he ready for a GM role? Yes. Is he familiar with the organization and been a key part in both the success and the failures? Yes.

The way this is being spun to me is as if he is the greatest candidate in recent memory to run a hockey club all over the league. I just haven't heard mountains of evidence of him being the highest commodity in the game from other organizations.

It's one thing for the Flames ownership group to go with someone who they know, are comfortable with, comes within their budget, is a fan favorite etc. It's another thing to have media members make it out to be that marque organizations around the league, teams with a mountain of winning behind them are somehow choosing Conroy as their next leader.

Unless Conroy comes into his role with a perspective and a mandate to make major move, do everything that is necessary to win and is able to push back against the "we make playoffs every year" mantra from ownership, we didn't win the GM lottery here.

We went through this song and dance with Brad "The Wizard" Treliving. The guy who was always on the phone, in on every deal, fleecing everybody at the draft day table, skinning everybody in the trade department etc.

Congrats to Conroy and I really hope he does well, I love my Flames but I am also sick of watching other cities and organizations that are substantially better run have a lot more success than mine. It isn't even championships, it's the long playoff runs, the 3-4 really good seasons in a row and the excitement that comes with winning in general. We are all sorely lacking in that area.

[Itse]

Originally Posted by curves2000

Anybody else a little concerned with how much water some members of the Calgary media are really pumping the tires on Conroy as GM? It's been a lot.

Do I think Conroy has earned his promotion? Yes. Is he ready for a GM role? Yes. Is he familiar with the organization and been a key part in both the success and the failures? Yes.

The way this is being spun to me is as if he is the greatest candidate in recent memory to run a hockey club all over the league. I just haven't heard mountains of evidence of him being the highest commodity in the game from other organizations.

It's one thing for the Flames ownership group to go with someone who they know, are comfortable with, comes within their budget, is a fan favorite etc. It's another thing to have media members make it out to be that marque organizations around the league, teams with a mountain of winning behind them are somehow choosing Conroy as their next leader.

Unless Conroy comes into his role with a perspective and a mandate to make major move, do everything that is necessary to win and is able to push back against the "we make playoffs every year" mantra from ownership, we didn't win the GM lottery here.

We went through this song and dance with Brad "The Wizard" Treliving. The guy who was always on the phone, in on every deal, fleecing everybody at the draft day table, skinning everybody in the trade department etc.

Congrats to Conroy and I really hope he does well, I love my Flames but I am also sick of watching other cities and organizations that are substantially better run have a lot more success than mine. It isn't even championships, it's the long playoff runs, the 3-4 really good seasons in a row and the excitement that comes with winning in general. We are all sorely lacking in that area.

Eh, I feel like the Flames have been trying to close the propaganda gap to the Oilers for some time now.

In any case, for some reason I have a good feeling about Conroy. I mean it's just going to be another disappointment in the end, because it's the Flames after all, but at least it's something to feel good about the choice at this point.

[Fighting Banana Slug]

Originally Posted by curves2000

Anybody else a little concerned with how much water some members of the Calgary media are really pumping the tires on Conroy as GM? It's been a lot.

Do I think Conroy has earned his promotion? Yes. Is he ready for a GM role? Yes. Is he familiar with the organization and been a key part in both the success and the failures? Yes.

The way this is being spun to me is as if he is the greatest candidate in recent memory to run a hockey club all over the league. I just haven't heard mountains of evidence of him being the highest commodity in the game from other organizations.

It's one thing for the Flames ownership group to go with someone who they know, are comfortable with, comes within their budget, is a fan favorite etc. It's another thing to have media members make it out to be that marque organizations around the league, teams with a mountain of winning behind them are somehow choosing Conroy as their next leader.

Unless Conroy comes into his role with a perspective and a mandate to make major move, do everything that is necessary to win and is able to push back against the "we make playoffs every year" mantra from ownership, we didn't win the GM lottery here.

We went through this song and dance with Brad "The Wizard" Treliving. The guy who was always on the phone, in on every deal, fleecing everybody at the draft day table, skinning everybody in the trade department etc.

Congrats to Conroy and I really hope he does well, I love my Flames but I am also sick of watching other cities and organizations that are substantially better run have a lot more success than mine. It isn't even championships, it's the long playoff runs, the 3-4 really good seasons in a row and the excitement that comes with winning in general. We are all sorely lacking in that area.

I don’t see any more water-carrying than usual. That the media likes Conroy should not be a surprise to anyone.

You said it yourself. He has earned it. Yes, he is familiar, but how is that a bad thing? They know the candidate well, but still looked elsewhere. Not much more a franchise can do.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by ben voyonsdonc

I hope that Conroy, when he sees a gap on the team, asks “is this something that we can fill internally?” I also hope that, if we have a surplus of talent because of development success stories, that he is willing to be a bit ruthless in moving the older guys for prospects and picks to try to address areas of organizational weakness.

We tend to plan for windows of success when maybe we need to shift towards a view of more sustainable success through internal development and regular turnover.

Exactly.

Focus on acquiring picks and drafting well, as an ongoing strategy. Extend RFAs into UFA years, but refrain from chasing UFAs (except where filling specific needs). Be ruthless with older players, because - as we know - they will be ruthless with the team.

Look to build an ongoing strategy of icing a relatively young team, with a continuous feed of ELC contracts. No need for tear-it-down rebuilds and 'go for it' spending roller coasters.

[Flames Fan, Ph.D.]

Fwiw i do find it cringey to hear Pat Steinberg talk about 'Connie.'

I think there is something to be said for small market media promoting an image of familiarity with management to make fans feel like they're also 'part of the conversation.' But when it becomes all chummy with nicknames and such, it separates the fans from the conversation imo.

No doubt Pat et al know and interact with them more often and at multiple levels. But public presentation of that relationship is a different beast.

[Badgers Nose]

Originally Posted by ben voyonsdonc

I hope that Conroy, when he sees a gap on the team, asks “is this something that we can fill internally?” I also hope that, if we have a surplus of talent because of development success stories, that he is willing to be a bit ruthless in moving the older guys for prospects and picks to try to address areas of organizational weakness.

We tend to plan for windows of success when maybe we need to shift towards a view of more sustainable success through internal development and regular turnover.

Amen! Not a scramble to get into the playoffs team, but rather a 'there every year' team. Take time to develop players and build up a predictable pipeline of NHLers.

Originally Posted by Itse

In any case, for some reason I have a good feeling about Conroy. I mean it's just going to be another disappointment in the end, because it's the Flames after all, but at least it's something to feel good about the choice at this point.

Honestly, if we still had our high drafted players and missed the playoffs with an internally developed coach and GM I'd be much more patient. Especially if they are on a steady trajectory. No need to over pay for bottom six FAs, or trades for old guys that don't move the needle.

Then, every once in a while when the team is really showing some chemistry, bolster for a playoff run if necessary with some of that excess talent.

[Paulie Walnuts]

I think people are genuinely happy for him I see nothing wrong with what has been said.

Lots of negativity around the team the last two years it's nice to have a positive outlook.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by Flames Fan, Ph.D.

Fwiw i do find it cringey to hear Pat Steinberg talk about 'Connie.'

I think there is something to be said for small market media promoting an image of familiarity with management to make fans feel like they're also 'part of the conversation.' But when it becomes all chummy with nicknames and such, it separates the fans from the conversation imo.

No doubt Pat et al know and interact with them more often and at multiple levels. But public presentation of that relationship is a different beast.

Lots of people watched the team from 2001 onwards, liked the player, and he is probably pretty widely called Connie by people who don’t know him

People call Treliving Tre. Pretty sure Pat did as well

I think it’s immaterial to the way he performs his job, and when he does it, he will be ‘all business’ sufficiently that it should withstand the occasional informal mention and not sully his credibility

[Azure]

Originally Posted by Spurs

The Flames have great player development and drafting???? Based on what?

If that is the case then the job that Treliviing is one of the worst GM jobs in the history of hockey considering we were never close to competing, have missed the play-offs almost as much as made it and when we did we did nothing.

If we did all that with great drafting and development, ouch.

I dunno, seems to me the players the Flames did draft are doing pretty good.

Conroy was also a big part of the college players that were drafted and signed.

End of the day the guy wasn't making the call when it came to trades, but from what I have read, he was a big part of player development and the farm team is doing pretty damn good right now.

Just don't get what people are expecting him to have done the last 9 years. Do the GMs job while actually not being the GM?

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by curves2000

Anybody else a little concerned with how much water some members of the Calgary media are really pumping the tires on Conroy as GM? It's been a lot.

Do I think Conroy has earned his promotion? Yes. Is he ready for a GM role? Yes. Is he familiar with the organization and been a key part in both the success and the failures? Yes.

The way this is being spun to me is as if he is the greatest candidate in recent memory to run a hockey club all over the league. I just haven't heard mountains of evidence of him being the highest commodity in the game from other organizations..

Can you provide specific examples of where this is happening?