[Rumour] Chris Johnston: Lindholm is interested in staying

[midniteowl]

Before the Flames moved to Calgary, I didn't watch any hockey. I started to follow them a couple of years after they moved to Calgary and consider Calgary Flames is my team. Was heartbroken when they lost Montreal 1986 SC final, then was super happy when they won it in 1989. Then watched them lost players like Gilmour, Roberts (my favorite player), Nieuwendyk, MacInnis, Vernon all from that SC winning team. I stuck with them, then all the mediocre missing playoff, still didn't give up on the team, I stuck with them even during the "young gun" era. If I can survive the dark age of young gun era, nothing can sway me. Sure, I get mad at them at time but at the end of the day, they are my team and I'll cheer for them no matter what.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

I guess cheering for a team that has no intention to actually win a championship will get old for me. Not much else to add if we just view it differently. I want to build an attachment to this team and this franchise has made it difficult for me.

Being a fan is a choice.
I don't think people would fault anyone for not following a team if they didn't enjoy it.
When it stops being fun for me that's what I would do.

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Being a fan is a choice.
I don't think people would fault anyone for not following a team if they didn't enjoy it.
When it stops being fun for me that's what I would do.

I have accepted that for better or worse that they'll be the only team I cheer for but their bent to get in at all costs is sure frustrating. I was hoping the players would force it lol

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

I guess cheering for a team that has no intention to actually win a championship will get old for me. Not much else to add if we just view it differently. I want to build an attachment to this team and this franchise has made it difficult for me.

I used to wonder why supporters of EPL teams like Wolverhampton and Fulham can still follow their teams when they have zero chance of winning a championship. Surely people follow teams to win a championship. That’s the dream, right?

Now I understand. As it has become clear in recent years how badly the Flames market and ownership handicap the team, I’ve had to recalibrate my expectations. I’ve stopped expecting the Flames to build an elite roster that enjoys sustained success. It’s hard enough as a small-market Canadian team. But with our owner’s stubborn refusal to adapt, it’s that much harder. And with 32 teams in the league now…

The strategic direction is what it is. I don’t think it will change until Edwards sells the team. So now I follow the team for other reasons. Partly out of habit, and partly because even badly run sports teams have drama and interest.

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Being a fan is a choice.
I don't think people would fault anyone for not following a team if they didn't enjoy it.
When it stops being fun for me that's what I would do.

I just didn't think many people on a forum like this would be 'meh' on winning or losing.

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

I just didn't think many people on a forum like this would be 'meh' on winning or losing.

I don’t get to worked up on what I can’t control in general and I still find following the Flames an enjoyable hobby. I’ll be happy if Lindholm walks though

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

I just didn't think many people on a forum like this would be 'meh' on winning or losing.

It’s not meh
Enjoy the highs
Don’t let the lows bug you
That’s my approach
And like Cliff either way it’s interesting to me

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by Bonded

I have accepted that for better or worse that they'll be the only team I cheer for but their bent to get in at all costs is sure frustrating. I was hoping the players would force it lol

I know, we were so close to being forced into what so many of us have wanted. This Lindholm possibly signing rumour is throwing a wrinkle into it, as I feel if they sign him then suddenly our upcoming UFA trades turn from futures to putting a "playoff attempt" roster on the ice for next season.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

I used to wonder why supporters of EPL teams like Wolverhampton and Fulham can still follow their teams when they have zero chance of winning a championship. Surely people follow teams to win a championship. That’s the dream, right?

Now I understand. As it has become clear in recent years how badly the Flames market and ownership handicap the team, I’ve had to recalibrate my expectations. I’ve stopped expecting the Flames to build an elite roster that enjoys sustained success. It’s hard enough as a small-market Canadian team. But with our owner’s stubborn refusal to adapt, it’s that much harder. And with 32 teams in the league now…

The strategic direction is what it is. I don’t think it will change until Edwards sells the team. So now I follow the team for other reasons. Partly out of habit, and partly because even badly run sports teams have drama and interest.

What are the other reasons? I've followed the Flames for over 30 years, but the underlying reasons has always been perhaps foolishly to see them win a Cup.

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by jayswin

I know, we were so close to being forced into what so many of us have wanted. This Lindholm possibly signing rumour is throwing a wrinkle into it, as I feel if they sign him then suddenly our upcoming UFA trades turn from futures to putting a "playoff attempt" roster on the ice for next season.

I know! It’s the closest it’s been to a rebuild since Iggy and they might actually optimize assets going into it which I never thought we’d see. It would also complete the greatest implosions of any major sports team in any league. It’d be a great 30 for 30 one day.

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

It’s not meh
Enjoy the highs
Don’t let the lows bug you
That’s my approach
And like Cliff either way it’s interesting to me

That's really how I approached this season but it quickly became numb to me and I became more and more apathetic. I haven't liked it.

But I am jealous if you are able to maintain the highs while avoiding the lows.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by jayswin

What are the other reasons? I've followed the Flames for over 30 years, but the underlying reasons has always been perhaps foolishly to see them win a Cup.

I saw them win the Cup when I was 14 and feel lucky to have experienced it. Ask Canuck and Sabre fans how frustrated they are. Do I want them to win another Cup? Of course, but given the small market Canadian team, the Canadian dollar, the brutal winters, 31 other teams vying for one trophy, and everything else that stacks the deck against them I realized that I should just enjoy hockey, win or lose.

[taxbuster]

Originally Posted by mrdonkey

So just more half measures. Ensuring the team is neither competitive now nor building a competitive future.

Sounds great.

Scorched earth doesn't guarantee you anything either. Great policy if you're trying to defend your homeland and leave nothing for the enemy invaders. Not so good if you're actually trying to build something.

This is what scorched earth is:

[jayswin]

I really hope dissentowners source is wrong.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by taxbuster

Scorched earth doesn't guarantee you anything either. Great policy if you're trying to defend your homeland and leave nothing for the enemy invaders. Not so good if you're actually trying to build something.

This is what scorched earth is:

Except for those talking “scorched earth” what they’re actually proposing is acquiring the seeds to plant for a better tomorrow.

By comparison what the Flames have historically done is let things erode, and stand confused in a barren field with no seeds to plant. They’ve let their existing crop die of drought, and have no plan for the future.

Scorched earth is better than what the Flames have done. Not that you are, but it is wild to see people be afraid of the Flames changing their approach. So stuck in their ways despite a complete lack of success in the last 3 decades - including, and more specifically, the entire modern era.

Originally Posted by jayswin

I really hope dissentowners source is wrong.

Ditto.

[Calgary4LIfe]

I am curious what most people are hoping for now. With the players that are not wanting to extend in Calgary, do you want rebuild (futures only) moves? A retool (half and half? Expectation to still have a fairly good team this year, and better the following year? Or a series of hockey-trades shipping out players for other players, with the goal of righting the ship and trying to make the playoffs?


Judging by the posts (and not that I have been tabulating it), it sure seems like a mixture between the three.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

I am curious what most people are hoping for now. With the players that are not wanting to extend in Calgary, do you want rebuild (futures only) moves? A retool (half and half? Expectation to still have a fairly good team this year, and better the following year? Or a series of hockey-trades shipping out players for other players, with the goal of righting the ship and trying to make the playoffs?


Judging by the posts (and not that I have been tabulating it), it sure seems like a mixture between the three.

Originally I was on the side of half and half. I figured if we could retain Lindholm while trading Backlund, Toffoli, and Hanifin for picks and prospects that I’d be okay with it - that would be a good enough transition.

But just thinking of Lindholm on an 8 year deal worth $8M+…I just don’t like that contract. I don’t think the player is worth it, and I also think it puts the Flames in a dangerous spot. Your top three players being Huberdeau, Lindholm, and Kadri up front for the next half decade (+) is not good enough to be anything of worth, and I just hate the idea of being locked into all three of those deals - it’s already bad enough having two of them.

[Reign of Fire]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

I used to wonder why supporters of EPL teams like Wolverhampton and Fulham can still follow their teams when they have zero chance of winning a championship. Surely people follow teams to win a championship. That’s the dream, right?

Now I understand. As it has become clear in recent years how badly the Flames market and ownership handicap the team, I’ve had to recalibrate my expectations. I’ve stopped expecting the Flames to build an elite roster that enjoys sustained success. It’s hard enough as a small-market Canadian team. But with our owner’s stubborn refusal to adapt, it’s that much harder. And with 32 teams in the league now…

The strategic direction is what it is. I don’t think it will change until Edwards sells the team. So now I follow the team for other reasons. Partly out of habit, and partly because even badly run sports teams have drama and interest.

What other reasons can there be other than hoping to watch them win the cup? Yours sounds like a typical bandwagon fan take (not saying you are one). I’ll enjoy it when they win, otherwise, I am not bothered. Those of us that want them to win know that all these decisions impact what will happen.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[kukkudo]

For me it’s about long term and the road to build a legit championship contender. This happens all through solid drafting.

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by Reign of Fire

What other reasons can there be other than hoping to watch them win the cup? Yours sounds like a typical bandwagon fan take (not saying you are one). I’ll enjoy it when they win, otherwise, I am not bothered. Those of us that want them to win know that all these decisions impact what will happen.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

A bandwagon fan wouldn’t be posting on here. Maybe he just likes bull####ting on the internet and with friends about the Flames. He never said he didn’t want them to win