Ken King on the Fan now

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by Titan

I find it laughable that anyone here even remotely associates the Fan with a "journalistic enterprise". They are the rights holders and chief flag wavers of the team. They exist solely because they are the rights holders. To expect them to actually ask King a tough question is naive. Where are the interviews with Duhatschek, or anyone else of his calibre? They don't exist because management knows that those guys will ask the tough questions. I get the hate for Francis but I have to give him credit that he would also ask the tough questions if he had a chance. There is no way King or Feaster expose themselves to that level of scrutiny.

Isn't this what we made fun of the Oilers and their media for, for years?

[Vulcan]

I think they have a plan. It's to get a first line centre and to get some muscle on a higher than 4th line player. The problem is Feaster or whoever is in charge hasn't been able to do this. As some poster said Feaster may not have the contacts and friendships across the league in order to get it done.

With their continued non success they may have to change their plans and be forced into making a move for the future. Being forced into acting isn't a plan for success and I don't trust management to get value in any sell off.

[afc wimbledon]

Originally Posted by Freeway

When you're playing poker, you don't want to give any signs to your opponents as to what your hand is. Heck, you want them to think your hand is something entirely different than what it is, because playing poker is all about confidence, appearance and selling them on a course of action that will turn out to be the opposite of what they should be doing.

Nobody with the Flames is going to speak about major changes, personnel moves or anything like that prior to the trade deadline because it behooves them not to tell the media, the fans and the 29 other teams what they think their hand is right now. Other teams will think they know what their hand is, but that's all part of the game.

Unlike poker though hockey requires buying or selling your player/s to the other teams therefore your analogy doesn't apply, as soon as Feaster picks up the phone and says 'how'd you like Iginla on your team?' the other manager is totally aware of a rebuild in progress. In fact in most cases the more the other teams know the better, this is essentially a salesmans job where you try to get people to dance with, if they don't know your buying or selling they can't make an offer.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by afc wimbledon

Unlike poker though hockey requires buying or selling your player/s to the other teams therefore your analogy doesn't apply, as soon as Feaster picks up the phone and says 'how'd you like Iginla on your team?' the other manager is totally aware of a rebuild in progress. In fact in most cases the more the other teams know the better, this is essentially a salesmans job where you try to get people to dance with, if they don't know your buying or selling they can't make an offer.

or how about this, you know there is a player available but you don't want everyone else to know or you have a player available but don't want him to know that you are shopping him.

[Freeway]

Originally Posted by afc wimbledon

Unlike poker though hockey requires buying or selling your player/s to the other teams therefore your analogy doesn't apply, as soon as Feaster picks up the phone and says 'how'd you like Iginla on your team?' the other manager is totally aware of a rebuild in progress. In fact in most cases the more the other teams know the better, this is essentially a salesmans job where you try to get people to dance with, if they don't know your buying or selling they can't make an offer.

If the teams think Iginla's an ace, while he's actually a Jack, it can make a difference. It's not a perfect metaphor, but it covers why there's so much spin and double-talk around this time of year.

[mister__big]

Originally Posted by EddyBeers

He specifically said the Flames will not disclose their plan publicly during the interview.

Well it's hard for KK to disclose the plan when there isn't one.

[taxbuster]

Originally Posted by Titan

However, as a fan, and a STH, it would be a nice luxury to get some actual facts out of management.

Ask your ticket rep when the next STH "meet and greet" is and go to it.

KK or JF are always there and answer questions, usually preceded by the question "Are there any bloggers, tweeps or CPers here? If you quote me I'll deny whatever you say...." He's kidding (mostly) but KK has been pretty forthright in any STH meeting I've attended, at least as much as he can be.

Clearly even the STH are not to be privy to the detailed plans, successful or not, that they may have.

Those are things we all find out when people write books or tell tales years later.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by flameswin

Isn't this what we made fun of the Oilers and their media for, for years?

Yes pretty much. Having a closed intervew with the Fan 960 (who is essentially on the Flames payroll) is almost akin to a staged Q&A. Like the Oilers the Flames are in a damage control mode where they don't want to have to answer to fans and media because the truth puts them in a bad light.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Yes pretty much. Having a closed intervew with the Fan 960 (who is essentially on the Flames payroll) is almost akin to a staged Q&A. Like the Oilers the Flames are in a damage control mode where they don't want to have to answer to fans and media because the truth puts them in a bad light.

Damage control is a big part of his job as president though. I don't think it's a realistic expectation to expect him to put himself on the hot seat when the team is trying to conservatively manage PR. As much as I would like to see it, there is a time and place for everything.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

Damage control is a big part of his job as president though. I don't think it's a realistic expectation to expect him to put himself on the hot seat when the team is trying to conservatively manage PR. As much as I would like to see it, there is a time and place for everything.

I don't expect him to come out and give out their plans of being buyers/sellers or anything but eventually they are going to have to come clean about the whole ROR waiver thing as while it will fade into the background it will not be forgotten.

[North East Goon]

Ken King should be on the un-employment line right now along with all the rest of our so called hockey operations.

[JayP]

Originally Posted by Freeway

If the teams think Iginla's an ace, while he's actually a Jack, it can make a difference. It's not a perfect metaphor, but it covers why there's so much spin and double-talk around this time of year.

It's a terrible metaphor. The Flames hiding their intentions to the last minute can only hurt them. The longer they keep the lines of communication open the more chance they can convince other teams to be interested in what they're selling and the more chance they have to get a few more looks at the other team's prospects. Even if you wait until the deadline to make your moves, the longer you make your intentions known only helps you in the end.

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Yes pretty much. Having a closed intervew with the Fan 960 (who is essentially on the Flames payroll) is almost akin to a staged Q&A. Like the Oilers the Flames are in a damage control mode where they don't want to have to answer to fans and media because the truth puts them in a bad light.

They are in damage control... why else is there a sudden interview from the president of the team, to really talk about nothing except patience? (after a win, too)

[Lentulus Batiatus]

Can someone point me in the direction of the published plans for the Blackhawks, Canadiens, Canucks, Rangers, Penguins, Leafs, Wild, Jets, Bruins, Kings, Blues, Lightning, Leafs, Predators, Avalanche, Flyers, Islanders, Bluejackets, Devils, Senators, Ducks, Red Wings, Islanders, Capitals, Sharks, Coyotes, Panthers and Sabers.

I'll wait.....

[Buff]

Originally Posted by Lentulus Batiatus

Can someone point me in the direction of the published plans for the Blackhawks, Canadiens, Canucks, Rangers, Penguins, Leafs, Wild, Jets, Bruins, Kings, Blues, Lightning, Leafs, Predators, Avalanche, Flyers, Islanders, Bluejackets, Devils, Senators, Ducks, Red Wings, Islanders, Capitals, Sharks, Coyotes, Panthers and Sabers.

I'll wait.....

All teams have pretty much the same plan. It looks a little something like this:

Fill holes to make team better to have a chance at being a Cup contender that can potentially go far in the playoffs on a regular basis so they can maximize their profits.

[Gary83]

No point jumping all over the front office/management team, wait and see what happens come trade deadline, despite the fact we've been down this road before, never know, they must surprise us, it might even be in a good way!

[CliffFletcher]

I'd be happy with something along the lines of how the Senators brass admitted a couple years ago that they were going to undergo a rebuild. People are a lot more tolerant of losing when they believe it's short-term pain being endured in the interest of long-term gain. The problem for Flames fans is there's no realistic sign of long-term gain.

[868904]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

I think they have a plan. It's to get a first line centre and to get some muscle on a higher than 4th line player. The problem is Feaster or whoever is in charge hasn't been able to do this. As some poster said Feaster may not have the contacts and friendships across the league in order to get it done.

With their continued non success they may have to change their plans and be forced into making a move for the future. Being forced into acting isn't a plan for success and I don't trust management to get value in any sell off.

He has no friends because he talks too much. In his one rant about "wandering the desert", he probably offended many GM's with his arrogance.

Plus I don't know how great this "two headed gm" thing flys with other GM's. it must get annoying that every trade discussion Feaster has needs to end with "I'll talk it over with Weiser first and get back to you".

[flambers]

Originally Posted by Gary83

No point jumping all over the front office/management team, wait and see what happens come trade deadline, despite the fact we've been down this road before, never know, they must surprise us, it might even be in a good way!

I would bet Feaster will make no trades at the deadline

Then they will comment the full staff worked really hard but there nothing out there that would help the Flames....

Flames are probably viewing themselves as buyers..... go figure

[868904]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

I'd be happy with something along the lines of how the Senators brass admitted a couple years ago that they were going to undergo a rebuild. People are a lot more tolerant of losing when they believe it's short-term pain being endured in the interest of long-term gain. The problem for Flames fans is there's no realistic sign of long-term gain.

This sounds like jokerism, when everything goes according to a plan even if its bad, nobody freaks out, but when you introduce a little anarchy or there's no plan, everyone freaks out.