Some things I don't want to see

[JiriHrdina]

Main thing I don't want to see is a winning streak.

[Poe969]

oh no, Jiri is cheering for losses! Let's get 'em fellas!

[Puppet Guy]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Main thing I don't want to see is a winning streak.

after last night's horror show, I don't think the Flames are winning another game.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by Poe969

oh no, Jiri is cheering for losses! Let's get 'em fellas!

I'd like to see this team show some pride - 8-2 is absurd.

But losses are key. This team needs a top 4 pick to accelerate the rebuild and add the next franchise player.

It is the most critical stretch drive in some senses in a long time.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Main thing I don't want to see is a winning streak.

I don't think you have to worry about that. Earlier in the season with Iginla and Bouwmeester in the lineup and the team trying they still couldn't muster up more than two wins in a row.

Agreed though. I feel the Flames must finish bottom three to get one of the three top guys. 4th leaves things out of their hands.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

I don't think you have to worry about that. Earlier in the season with Iginla and Bouwmeester in the lineup and the team trying they still couldn't muster up more than two wins in a row.

You've been a fan long enough to know that this is exactly when they'll rip off four straight wins

[AlbertaOiler72]

Originally Posted by DiracSpike

Yes, this is exactly what happened as a kid growing up in the late 90's and pre 2004. It seemed like everyone was a Colorado or Detroit fan and it drove me crazy. Of course after the run everybody was back on the Flames wagon, let's hope we don't create a generation of Chicago and pitt fans with this run of mediocrity this teams on.

Flames management has to sell hope to the fans

Oiler management has and the Oiler fans still have come out in droves to watch a bad hockey team because they're selling the "young guns"

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

You've been a fan long enough to know that this is exactly when they'll rip off four straight wins

Honestly this year I don't see it with this group. To win some games they would have to limit the opposition to 3 or less goals and that's a tall task the way this team plays defense. Flames now officially sport the worst GAA in the league.

[drPepper1]

Wrong thread

[Poe969]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

I'd like to see this team show some pride - 8-2 is absurd.

But losses are key. This team needs a top 4 pick to accelerate the rebuild and add the next franchise player.

It is the most critical stretch drive in some senses in a long time.

Didn't think I needed the green text (or if we were doing that any more). I'm in the same boat as you though. To upease some people, I don't say that I'm "cheering for a loss" but I'm hoping for one. I hope that this team continues the rebuild at the draft and I fully agree that high draft picks are the way to build a team. I was just giving you a hard time because if anyone else were to say what you said, people would accuse them of not being a real fan and call cheering for a loss "disgusting"

[automaton 3]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

You've been a fan long enough to know that this is exactly when they'll rip off four straight wins

Pressure's off, they relax and start winning. Yeah its a concern, but this group looks so thoroughly beat down and defeated, not sure of much risk of that this year.

I don't mind the losing so much of the lack of effort/push back. Hit some guys, crack some heads for crying out loud.

[bugsy]

Yeah just don't see a winning streak happening here. Sort of an unprecedented situation over the last week or two. Don't see who the heck would step up. Tangs and Cammalleri have all but tapped out, and pretty much everyone else besides. Those that 'could' or 'might' step into a leadership role, i think will be exposed if they havent already. Going to be hella interesting final group of games here especially given Feaster's public endorsement of exactly four 'untouchable' guys, one of whom isn't even currently playing up with the club. Fourth line has been ok.

[Sainters7]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

You've been a fan long enough to know that this is exactly when they'll rip off four straight wins

Totally hear ya, although looking at the remaining schedule, I think we're win streak proof this year. That 4 game road sked to finish the season - especially closing out in St. Louis and Chicago - should send us out on an especially pathetic whimper.

As someone who's always played the "at least we don't cheer for losses" card to my Oiler fan friends when they get chirpy, its really sad we're at this point right now.

[nieuwy-89]

I like the fact that Flames management has been open about the goal to be competitive next year. Obviously you don't want to overpay for free agents or trade your picks/prospects away, but an accelerated rebuild is possible. Other teams have proven it.

I don't have the answers, as fans none of us do. However a few ideas I have to rebuild while remaining competitive would be:

• Establish a new culture around team toughness and team defense.
• Emphasize a systems approach, focused on team defense. Hartley is not known as a defensive guy but he is an NHL coach with a full staff, they should be able to figure out a system and implement it. Shot blocking and defensive awareness can be taught.
• Bring in some size and character. Doesn't have to be top end skill but focus on some crash and bang type players. You can't let other teams run your show. Team toughness can help swing and keep momentum in games.
• Give your young skilled players the opportunity to shine. Lots of ice time, power play time. Let the next generation know that they are going to be counted on and not penalized for every mistake.
• Ship out the freeloaders. Tanguay and Cammallerri I'm looking at you. These two primadonnas need to go. Buyout/waivers/whatever it takes to get them off the team before training camp.

Finally, for Flames ticket holders who sell/give away tickets to Oilers fans, you should be ashamed of yourselves. It was truly disgraceful watching the Saddledome get overrun by Oilers fans last night. The Oilers were pointing and waving to their fans in the crowd everytime they scored a goal. Yes we've had similar games in Edmonton over the past 5-10 years, but I don't recall a time when Flames fans were able to out-cheer the Oilers fans at Rexall.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by Sainters7

Totally hear ya, although looking at the remaining schedule, I think we're win streak proof this year. That 4 game road sked to finish the season - especially closing out in St. Louis and Chicago - should send us out on an especially pathetic whimper.

As someone who's always played the "at least we don't cheer for losses" card to my Oiler fan friends when they get chirpy, its really sad we're at this point right now.

I actually never had a problem with hoping for losses when it comes to Oiler fans.
What drove me crazy, and continue to drive me crazy is how the Oilers were celebrated for doing things the "right way", and all the something special crap.

Both the Oilers and Flames are organizations should embarrassed for being amongst the worst franchises in the NHL for the last 15 years on the ice.

Neither organization should be celebrated for their failures.

But fans taking a rationale approach to the situation shouldn't feel guilty about hoping for losses. When you suck, its better to suck hard.

[gargamel]

Originally Posted by Poe969

Didn't think I needed the green text (or if we were doing that any more). I'm in the same boat as you though. To upease some people, I don't say that I'm "cheering for a loss" but I'm hoping for one. I hope that this team continues the rebuild at the draft and I fully agree that high draft picks are the way to build a team. I was just giving you a hard time because if anyone else were to say what you said, people would accuse them of not being a real fan and call cheering for a loss "disgusting"

I won't insult anyone based on how they choose to be a fan, but there's a big difference between hoping for losses now and hoping for losses in the first few weeks of the season. The one is making the best of a bad situation, but the other would seem to take all the joy out of being a fan.

[Vulcan]

One thing I don't want to hear again is "young guns" and this team is starting to sound like them. Trying to sell two Euro goalies as the next thing just sounds of desperation and that's what that era was, desperation. Maybe Luongo would be a better alternative. He should come cheap and should be willing to go to a loser just to get playing time. He was pretty good in Florida playing for a lousy team.

The only things we have going for us is that we suck even more, so we should get better picks and we have money to spend. The thing with having money though is that Feaster seems to have no idea of how to build a team but just spends money because he has it.

Going off topic, we've gone into Oiler territory in that this isn't a planned rebuild, it's something that has been forced on us because of mismanagement. Are we going to continue with this same management that has put us in this situation?

[Rhettzky]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

Going off topic, we've gone into Oiler territory in that this isn't a planned rebuild, it's something that has been forced on us because of mismanagement. Are we going to continue with this same management that has put us in this situation?

Was it really this management? poor asset management for the last ten years seems to be the issue. I'd point to the phaneuf trade, adding of vets at the expense of youth and poor drafting from the Sutter days more than blaming this group.

[moon]

Originally Posted by Rhettzky

Was it really this management? poor asset management for the last ten years seems to be the issue. I'd point to the phaneuf trade, adding of vets at the expense of youth and poor drafting from the Sutter days more than blaming this group.

Both are to blame but this group certainly took it to the Oilers level multi-year sucking and for no real reason.

As much crap as Sutter gets at least his moves made sense for the most part and lead to play-offs trips and good shots at success.

This group held everyone together and made short term moves when it was clear as day the team wasn't close to good enough and success wasn't going to happen.

[Stay Golden]

I don't want to see every game matters type slogans.
I don't want to see the Flames go off the board when drafting.
I don't want to see them trade any 1st round picks for other unknown low end prospects.
I don't want to hear them them lie to us and say this player is the best player/goalie not playing in the NHL.
I don't want to see after last night turtle performance Tanguay and Cammy suggested as a Captain.
I don't want to see the Flames think they can go next season without a McGrattan type enforcer.
I don't want to see the Flames overlook the importance of drafting and signing Centers.
I don't want to see the Flames draft any player under 5'10 or 180 lbs.