Lebrun: Flames "getting late in the process" of hiring a GM

[Hockey_Ninja]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

What do you even mean by this?

Fans can’t have fond memories of the single positive playoff memory since 1989?

There’s having fond memories, then there’s hoping that a run like that will magically happen again. Unless you consider “it was in” jokes not letting go, I think a majority of Flames fans are over 04 and want something different. It feels like the owners are the ones who can’t seem to let go

[Rutuu]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

Treliving, in leaving the way he did, very clearly shone a light on the Flames organization and its wild levels of dysfunction.

It only makes sense that the organization act petty in response, because that’s what an organization that isn’t self aware would do.

They believe they’re a well run organization. They believe they’re so well run that they can’t allow Treliving’s expertise to enter the market prior to the conclusion of his contract for fear that he’ll reveal all their brilliant secrets.

They're a semi-government organisation, so what do we expect? They sat on their hands for 10yrs on a stadium project that will double their operating profits and add 30% to their valuation, just so they could get a hand out from tax payers instead of standing on their own two feet.

How do we expect them to ever compete against private businesses that hire the best people and are driven to win so they can increase profits. Just spending to the cap is not building the best business. They let themselves slip to the worst in the league for facilities, because government officials were telling them no. What world class business does that?

What hire can we possibly make that can change the culture of a something that's been ingrained over the last 30+yrs?

The only strategy that works for these type of organisations is to luck into it. Basically suck until you find gold, oil, or Silicon Valley pops up in your backyard. That means draft luck.

We need a bureaucrat that understands this.

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by Hockey_Ninja

There’s having fond memories, then there’s hoping that a run like that will magically happen again. Unless you consider “it was in” jokes not letting go, I think a majority of Flames fans are over 04 and want something different. It feels like the owners are the ones who can’t seem to let go

Nah, Kipper’s coming back I’m sure of it and Regehr can put in a couple more years.

[Mightyfire89]

Originally Posted by Rutuu

They're a semi-government organisation, so what do we expect? They sat on their hands for 10yrs on a stadium project that will double their operating profits and add 30% to their valuation, just so they could get a hand out from tax payers instead of standing on their own two feet.

How do we expect them to ever compete against private businesses that hire the best people and are driven to win so they can increase profits. Just spending to the cap is not building the best business. They let themselves slip to the worst in the league for facilities, because government officials were telling them no. What world class business does that?

What hire can we possibly make that can change the culture of a something that's been ingrained over the last 30+yrs?

The only strategy that works for these type of organisations is to luck into it. Basically suck until you find gold, oil, or Silicon Valley pops up in your backyard. That means draft luck.

We need a bureaucrat that understands this.

Dark…and imo not entirely inaccurate.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Originally Posted by Flames1217

Hoping it's Conroy.

Dude has always represented the brand with pride, is as competitive as they come, is smart and well spoken and deserves a chance as much as anyone in hockey.

All those things considered, sometimes they don't necessarily translate to a successful GM.

I want to believe Conroy is the right choice, but I don't know for certain that he would be. Head vs heart debate for sure.

This team succeeding in spite of the hurdles it faces with its long term contracts is admittedly more important than a good guy we all know and love getting his due reward.

If it's possible that we can have both, then great.

[Southside403]

Originally Posted by Manhattanboy

Hmmm. Not sure I like Conroy (as GM).

I was hoping they bring in an outsider with no ties to the organization.

The guy deserves it he has put in the work guy bleeds for calgary give him 2/3 years see what happens.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

To be fair, Conroy could probably sweet talk anybody into doing anything.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Conroy's never really been on the hot seat. From Iggy's affable sidekick as a player, to a behind-the-scenes assistant, his public image will likely take a hit in the GM's chair.

[Rutuu]

Originally Posted by Mightyfire89

Dark…and imo not entirely inaccurate.

Want to add to the darkness.

Regional tax differences, and a loose interpretation for LTIR make the salary cap tilted and less a hard cap, but more a soft capped luxury tax system.

The Flames with an arena deal are now an organisation worth more than $1bn, and they sell a real product. This isn't B2B O+G that the bulk of the fanbase is familiar with, where the product that comes out of the ground is fungible and the whole world needs 100million barrels of it everyday. Flames hockey has to compete and be sold customer to customer every year.

NHL hockey is operations, leasing, marketing of multiple product channels, hockey operations (scouting, coaching, trainers), logistics, customer relations, legal, etc etc. The business is complex, and we have to do everything better than 31 other sites to win.

The Flames aren't exactly a top employer in the city, the oil companies are. So they're not even getting the best people in the region. Once again...it sounds a whole lot like the government. The Flames hang on to their people forever...again like the government.

Edwards might be able to bring the CNRL mantra of low cost operator into the Flames business since he took charge, and they probably needed that, but there's only so far you can go with that mentality when you've got a product that needs to be marketed, not just being the last person standing on the cost curve.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by Paulie Walnuts

It feels that shadow has been on the team it wasn't just Sutter he just publicly stated it. The certain type of players we have chased and not fully embracing a rebuild.

Just want the organization to move forward with that progressive mindset.

Progressive mindset is like a buzzword. It’s like saying you want them to be agile…..or you want them to promote synergies, or take a dump on Deborah’s desk type of thing.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop

Conroy's never really been on the hot seat. From Iggy's affable sidekick as a player, to a behind-the-scenes assistant, his public image will likely take a hit in the GM's chair.

The closest I can think of is when he was first acquired for Stillman. I recall a lot of initial anger from a large part of the fan base at the time, be he won us over pretty quickly after that.

I really do want to see what he can do as a GM. It’s always fun as an organization to see talent grow from within, no matter what side of the ice it is on.

[NewFan]

I like Conroy and there are some benefits that the team got GM that knows the franchise. And I hope Conroy has more skills to see really good talented players than BT as he was a NHL player.
But choosing Conroy as GM and hiring Huska or Love as a head coach is not really the change. So I expect the team will be same is last couple years.

[Boo Radley]

Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop

Conroy's never really been on the hot seat. From Iggy's affable sidekick as a player, to a behind-the-scenes assistant, his public image will likely take a hit in the GM's chair.

Doug Risebrough comes to mind.

[Steve Bozek]

Originally Posted by Boo Radley

Doug Risebrough comes to mind.

Why? I don’t see a connection/similarity with Conroy.

[BoLevi]

Originally Posted by Rutuu

Want to add to the darkness.

Regional tax differences, and a loose interpretation for LTIR make the salary cap tilted and less a hard cap, but more a soft capped luxury tax system.

The Flames with an arena deal are now an organisation worth more than $1bn, and they sell a real product. This isn't B2B O+G that the bulk of the fanbase is familiar with, where the product that comes out of the ground is fungible and the whole world needs 100million barrels of it everyday. Flames hockey has to compete and be sold customer to customer every year.

NHL hockey is operations, leasing, marketing of multiple product channels, hockey operations (scouting, coaching, trainers), logistics, customer relations, legal, etc etc. The business is complex, and we have to do everything better than 31 other sites to win.

The Flames aren't exactly a top employer in the city, the oil companies are. So they're not even getting the best people in the region. Once again...it sounds a whole lot like the government. The Flames hang on to their people forever...again like the government.

Edwards might be able to bring the CNRL mantra of low cost operator into the Flames business since he took charge, and they probably needed that, but there's only so far you can go with that mentality when you've got a product that needs to be marketed, not just being the last person standing on the cost curve.

I dont know you, but I like you.

The NHL/NHLPA partnership views the taxpayer as a fundamental part of their business. It's gross. There is plenty of revenue to build their own facilities but the owners and players would need to take a paycut. How awful for them.

[FlamesAddiction]

Nm

[heep223]

I think Conroy would have the social and organizational capital to take the team in a new direction that I suspect most of us would like.

[iggy_oi]

Originally Posted by BoLevi

I dont know you, but I like you.

The NHL/NHLPA partnership views the taxpayer as a fundamental part of their business. It's gross. There is plenty of revenue to build their own facilities but the owners and players would need to take a paycut. How awful for them.

The NHLPA has no say on the arena deals, and the cost of a building has nothing to do with the HRR that determines players’ salaries.

[Flamesfan05]

No Conroy please

He was ‘helping’ Treliving created the mess

[wired]

My opinion.
The Flames are a mediocre team. And will remain a mediocre team for a long time. Last year, 1/3 of the team was new, low expectations on my part.
Maybe Conroy will be what set the team on a new path, maybe not.
Once the gm and coaching positions are filled, I think it would be wise to fill the team with players that actually want to play in Calgary.