Is The GM Going to Address the Center Situation?

[FlameZilla]

If Cervenka doesn't eventually convert full time to centre ice, it means we have all of Tanguay, Cammy, Glenncross, Hudler, Comeau, Baertschi & Cervenka on the current roster and probably most comfortable playing LW. I suppose you could consider that a position of depth from which to make a deal? Tanguay is having a great season, Glenncross isn't going anywhere, Hudler looks effective on the off-wing & Sven is Sven so I wouldn't deal any of them. One of Cervenka, Cammy & Comeau are expendable in my eyes, but I doubt any carry enough value (other than maybe Cammy) to return a decent NHL centre.

[FlameZilla]

Originally Posted by Pointman

It may be true, but the fact that they did not address actual need for center indicates that they might as well really hoped for Cervenka to play C.

They must have seen potential for Cervenka to play centre. I refuse to believe management would make a move like that just to hoodwink the fan base.

[neo45]

I think Cervenka has looked pretty good skill-wise since he came over, but his line needs to be

Cervenka - decent two-way center - Hudler


,if he is going to be a success in the NHL. There is a reason why Stajan has made every line he plays on better, it's because he is the only center! The abundance of scoring wingers need him on their line to play their game. If he went down with an injury last night the Flames would lose every game

[Roof-Daddy]

The ongoing never ending centre problem this organization has had for years is an at an all time low, and IMO, its the biggest weakness on this roster by far.

Having said that, I find it really hard to dump the blame on Feaster without a view from the inside.

If he's just sitting back doing nothing, and thinks this team can get by with what they have, then he's an idiot, but I doubt that's the case at all. He's probably constantly kicking tires on potential centres, but I would assume the cost of acquisition is too high.

We may have to ride this season out unfortunately, and hope something comes available in the off season via free agency or trade.

[FlameZilla]

Originally Posted by Pointman

True. There were several interviews (in Russian) explaining that. It took me 10 minutes to dig two of them:

http://fanzone.khl.ru/news/14402/

Q: You came over (to Russia) as center, but were moved to left wing. Alexey Kaluzny (Omsk's top center) explained that as centers have different roles at czechia and russia.

A: Never (in my career) I was coming back (to defend in my own zone). I was technically playing center, was taking faceoffs, but on defensive zone I was at left wing position. That's pretty much the way I play here (at KHL), except for I'm not taking draws. Initially Summanen (Omsk's coach) made me center, but me and Kaluzny decided it would be better for me to play left wing and Summanen didn't mind it.


http://www.peoples.ru/sport/hockey/roman_cervenka/

Q: Roman, you are versatile forward, aren't you?
A: Well, I used to be center.
Q: Why it didn't work out at KHL?
A: At KHL centers have to play defense. I never did. So wing is better for me.

I think we need to be using Cervenka as a centre in the offensive zone & taking face offs, but pair him with strong defensive winger/centre who will do the defensive side of things for him. This is why the all-Czech line of Horak-Cervenka-Hudler made sense & played very well when the Czech boys finally arrived on the scene. Bring back the Czeching line!!

[North East Goon]

I am only entertaining trades that address the future from here on out. This season type acquisitions or short term band-aids has got to stop!

[neo45]

Originally Posted by North East Goon

I am only entertaining trades that address the future from here on out. This season type acquisitions or short term band-aids has got to stop!

What would be wrong with trading a player we aren't using for a player that we need? The Flames have a lot of spare defenseman that aren't part of "the future", they should be traded for a player that can help win games.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by North East Goon

This season type acquisitions or short term band-aids has got to stop!

I think they have stopped. I'm trying to remember for sure, but I don't recall any trades made since Feaster took over that completely disregarded our future, except the Modin for a 7th trade.

[Muta]

What about signing Alexei Yashin as a quick stop-gap measure? He's got the talent and experience, mnight be interested in playing with Cervenka / Hudler / Baertschi too... not sure about his drive or his willingness to play for peanuts, however.

Wouldn't cost us any assets either. I thought he was somewhat interested in coming back?

[JayP]

Originally Posted by timbit

is that what it has come down to?Fooling the fans?

Heck, I thought it was about constructing a championship team.

Yeah even if they knew Cervenka wasn't a centre, why is our front office concerned with introducing him as one to trick the fans? Public perception should be the last thing on their minds, but it clearly isn't.

[FlameZilla]

Originally Posted by North East Goon

I am only entertaining trades that address the future from here on out. This season type acquisitions or short term band-aids has got to stop!

The squad is so imbalanced that I think it's beyond band-aids... The team could benefit from a lateral move, moving out surplus depth on the wing for someone's surplus elsewhere. Lots of people floating Tim Connolly as a possible acquisition. Toronto might take something like Cammalleri & Comeau for Connolly and a pick. Although it's not the sexiest trade in the world it works with the cap & helps balance both rosters.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Should this organization be giving up any assets, even picks, to address the needs of the current team? Isn't that exactly what people DON'T want them to do?

I know, right?

This fan base is so polarized right now, not to mention the double talk we see from people.

Last week: "This team should just tank and go for the draft pick."

This week: "OMG, why is Hartley playing Comeau so much? We'll never win if he keeps doing that!"

The only thing that is clear right now is nothing is clear.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by FlameZilla

The squad is so imbalanced that I think it's beyond band-aids... The team could benefit from a lateral move, moving out surplus depth on the wing for someone's surplus elsewhere. Lots of people floating Tim Connolly as a possible acquisition. Toronto might take something like Cammalleri & Comeau for Connolly and a pick. Although it's not the sexiest trade in the world it works with the cap & helps balance both rosters.

If the Flames deal Cammy to Toronto and part of the return is Connolly every single person in management that had a hand in it should be fired immediately.

Say what you want about Cammy, but he's producing better in the NHL than the previously waived (and cleared) Connolly is in the AHL. Not to mention, Connolly is a proven injury riddled player who is a pending UFA.

Think about it for a second........a month ago Feaster could have claimed Connolly and picked him up for free. Turning around and trading a proven top six NHL winger for him now would be unforgivable.

If Cammy is dealt it better be for a waaaaay better centre option than Connolly, or for picks/prospects.

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by Pointman

True. There were several interviews (in Russian) explaining that. It took me 10 minutes to dig two of them:

http://fanzone.khl.ru/news/14402/

Q: You came over (to Russia) as center, but were moved to left wing. Alexey Kaluzny (Omsk's top center) explained that as centers have different roles at czechia and russia.

A: Never (in my career) I was coming back (to defend in my own zone). I was technically playing center, was taking faceoffs, but on defensive zone I was at left wing position. That's pretty much the way I play here (at KHL), except for I'm not taking draws. Initially Summanen (Omsk's coach) made me center, but me and Kaluzny decided it would be better for me to play left wing and Summanen didn't mind it.


http://www.peoples.ru/sport/hockey/roman_cervenka/

Q: Roman, you are versatile forward, aren't you?
A: Well, I used to be center.
Q: Why it didn't work out at KHL?
A: At KHL centers have to play defense. I never did. So wing is better for me.

Wow that's a major fail for Weisbrod and the scouts. Even if it was a full training camp and pre season he would not be ready to be an NHL center men.

Hartely said that after watching tapes that he was not a center. I doubt it took Hartely more than his first week on the job to figure that out.

Considering Hartely was hired before July 1st this is an epic fail on Feaster also for not addressing it. I do think the mandate by ownership does not help with acquiring centers considering the only players with trade value are not allowed to be traded.

All i can say is Cervenka is lucky that Hartely is the coach and not Sutter. Cervenka would be lucky to have gotten into 2 games under Sutter.

[Poe969]

I'm going to disagree with you. If Cammy is dealt and Connolly is PART of the return, I'm fine with it. I will say there is no way that Cammy is dealt for Connolly straight up, Connolly can be brought in to play center now with an expiring contract but there will have to be prospects and or picks coming with him

[Henry Fool]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

I know, right?

This fan base is so polarized right now, not to mention the double talk we see from people.

Last week: "This team should just tank and go for the draft pick."

This week: "OMG, why is Hartley playing Comeau so much? We'll never win if he keeps doing that!"

The only thing that is clear right now is nothing is clear.

Always problematic to talk about what "people" think. If you want to accuse people of double talk, you have to address specific persons, because no one is responsible for other people's opinions.

But even if you think that the team should rebuild, you can criticize the management for failing in their expressed goals. They don't want to trade assets but they've built a bad team around those assets. The frustration comes from their being unable to do either properly - they haven't rebuilt but they also keep losing.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Henry Fool

Always problematic to talk about what "people" think. If you want to accuse people of double talk, you have to address specific persons, because no one is responsible for other people's opinions.

But even if you think that the team should rebuild, you can criticize the management for failing in their expressed goals. They don't want to trade assets but they've built a bad team around those assets. The frustration comes from their being unable to do either properly - they haven't rebuilt but they also keep losing.

Fair enough, but I'd rather avoid the pissing match that would occur by pointing people out. That sort of thing never ends well.

I don't think there is anything wrong though with stating that some people don't know what they want. It's partly a product of management not showing a clear direction. I can't blame the fanbase for becoming bipolar because of it.

[Tinordi]

Who doesn't know what they want?

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by krispykream

yup.....

nope

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by FlameZilla

Toronto might take something like Cammalleri & Comeau for Connolly and a pick.

That would a horrifically bad trade... you could probably offer Toronto Bryan Cameron and ask that they eat half of Connelly's Salary and it would make perfect sense for them to say yes since they'd still end up saving millions of dollars while losing nothing from their roster.

Hell, I wouldn't enterly be opposed to them doing that actually. I'd take Connelly on as a 1/2 year commit as a reclamation project if the price was made right.

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Think about it for a second........a month ago Feaster could have claimed Connolly and picked him up for free.

He'd eat to much cap if he were picked up on waivers... gotta trade for him so that the leafs could pick up part of the bill (and so that we could send a dead contract back in return).