Is The GM Going to Address the Center Situation?

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by JayP

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.

I don't think conspiracy theories invented by agenda-driven Calgarypuck editors is high on their list of considerations, personally.

[Henry Fool]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

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.

Well you can also avoid making statements about other people's "bipolarity" altogether, whether you mean a specific person or a group. I don't see how that can ever be helpful or interesting. Although I'd suggest that when the forum's supposed bipolarity rears its head, it's actually two groups of differing views voicing their opinions rather than one group who keeps changing their opinions after every win or loss.

There is some inner conflict in supporting a team whose direction you don't believe in. You want them to win but you don't really like the lineup. So on the day to day level you get frustrated about coaching decisions, players, and so on, while at the same time you lack faith in how the management sees the general picture. That might be an inner conflict to an extent, but it's not logically inconsistent, and doesn't imply that the fans don't know what they want.

[Gary83]

We should trade Backlund, Baertschi and our 1st for a #1C, amirite?

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by Gary83

We should trade Backlund, Baertschi and our 1st for a #1C, amirite?

I don't know how to turn posts into green text either.

[Beatle17]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Detroit didn't pull him out of the air. He was well known across the NHL and pursued by probably almost everyone. He chose Detroit.

He's not a center, he plays wing with Zetterberg. If you want to mention possible centers at least list centers. I am all for the Flames getting a center and agree with what everyone is saying, but instead of bitching that Feaster hasn't done anything at least list some real possiblities and have the discussion about what could be done.

[Poe969]

Originally Posted by Gary83

We should trade Backlund, Baertschi and our 1st for a #1C, amirite?

Only if that center is 35+ so he plays well with Iggy!

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Originally Posted by Beatle17

He's not a center, he plays wing with Zetterberg. If you want to mention possible centers at least list centers. I am all for the Flames getting a center and agree with what everyone is saying, but instead of bitching that Feaster hasn't done anything at least list some real possiblities and have the discussion about what could be done.

You must have quoted the wrong post. Where was Jiri bitching about Feaster?

All he said was that a player picked Detroit. No need to get uptight about it.

[CaramonLS]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

I don't think conspiracy theories invented by agenda-driven Calgarypuck editors is high on their list of considerations, personally.

So you're leaning towards general incompetence / poor scouting?

[JayP]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

I don't think conspiracy theories invented by agenda-driven Calgarypuck editors is high on their list of considerations, personally.

Any other explanations for introducing a self-admitted winger as a "top 6 centre" other than PR?

And you calling anyone else "agenda-driven" is just rich.

[Roof-Daddy]

It really ticks me off that we don't know for sure what happened with Blair Jones.

He goes from being a solid, young, gritty, decent sized fourth line centre, who was improving in the face off dot, being raved about by Weisbrod and re-signed to a two year deal, to suddenly being waived and sent Abbotsford.

It's even more frustrating when him being demoted left us with only Stajan as a true blue NHL centre on the team.

Like WTF? He must have really done something horrific.

[AltaGuy]

The bipolarity in this thread and among Flames fans leads to a tough decision about our centers.

If you are someone who genuinely thinks this team sucks and will continue to suck even with a large improvement at center, so much so that we will end up with a top 10 pick, then we shouldn't trade our 1st this season.

If you think we can make the playoffs, and can make a large improvement to the team by improving at the center ice position, I think our 1st should be part of the discussion for ROR. Unless the 1st is in the top-5, I think a 21 year old center addresses our team needs in coming years more than the vast majority of possible uses of our pick.

I think that's the only honest way to look at ROR and what he would be worth to an organization like ours who needs a center like him desperately. Of course, if you're Feaster, and it turns into a Burke-Kessel-Seguin shenanigan, well then you probably lose your job. But that's genuinely how much value I would assign to a guy like ROR for our organization.

[blankall]

The GM should not be using any assets to address needs on this team. If this team can pull a string of wins together and do some damage in the playoffs, I'm all for it.

However, if the team is not successful, this is a great year for it: shortened and compressed season, deep draft, lots of contracts on the Flames expiring or with 1 year left, lots of other teams suffering injuries, etc...

The plan is pretty obvious here IMO. Hope that the team can find some cohesion or wait until the deadline and sell off anyone who will bring a return. At no point should the Flames be acquiring large assets this season.

The off season is when the search for a centre begins.

[Vinny01]

I wonder if Kipper is a guy that Feaster is looking to move? With reports that Ramo is indeed coming over soon and Joey MacDonald proving to be a solid backup/1B goalie for us I could see something happening.

[Flash Walken]

I don't think they should go out and use draft picks to acquire a centre.

I think they should use the capable centres they have in their system, or, if you can't get a draft pick for him, trade off some horrible deadweight like babchuk for a crappy stopgap who's contract expires at the end of the year.

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by 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?

Crazy but maybe crazy enough to work....

The whole Cervenka and Blair Jones thing is really bizarre... the C position must have played out differently in the Flames upper management's eyes...

[Stay Golden]

Originally Posted by FlameZilla

We could have signed Jokinen to a hometown discount. Say what you will about his hockey IQ, but he is a natural centre & can play many roles. When Feaster signed Cervenka it was assumed he was Jokinen's replacement, since he was listed as a centre. The fact that he turns out to be a left-winger makes the decision to let Olli walk a complete shambles. Feaster obviously felt it was time to cut ties with him, but why?

Joker over an entire season gives you mediocrity. He all but disappeared offensivly down the stretch with the Flames missing playoffs by 3-5 pts. Olli 4 pts in the last 14 games not what we need.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by CaramonLS

So you're leaning towards general incompetence / poor scouting?

Poor scouting most like. Or, as Pointman's stories point out, a misunderstanding between the roles and responsibilities of the centre in the Chech Republic, Russia and the NHL. He was basically a centre offensively, but a winger defensively.

The most reasonable explanation in Cervenka's case is that they simply announced him at the position he was listed at in the Czech Republic. It is his offensive ability the team was interested in. I suspect concerns about his defensive role were thought to be addressable once he got to Calgary.

[moon]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

I wonder if Kipper is a guy that Feaster is looking to move? With reports that Ramo is indeed coming over soon and Joey MacDonald proving to be a solid backup/1B goalie for us I could see something happening.

I would hope they aren't doing much if anything with Joey Macdonald in mind. He played well last night but overall has been pretty meh and shown this year and over his career he is an adequate, not great, back-up and nowhere close to a 1B unless we are going for the top pick.

If this team is actually going to tank and not care about winning then Ramo/Macdonald is a fine pairing, but if they have any desire to ice a respectable team then that is a disaster.

[Phanuthier]

As mentioned, there is a C who played in the NHL in the Flames org (not Blair Jones)..... Roman Horak. Why isn't he an option? Curious.....

[Dajazz]

In the RoR thread I was more or less against it, figured he has more to prove before commanding such a salary or return in a potential trade. But I have to admit once Backlund went down, and now Jones for some unknown reason is demoted, it sure looks intriguing. On the other hand I think the cost would be too high.

For the moment I'd be allright with some reclaimation project a ala Connolloy or trading for a solid 3rd/4th liner defensive centre. The coach preaches puck pressure and possession, this is quite difficult when our centre depth is likely the weakest in the NHL at the moment.

I firmly believe that Feaster needs to do something to adress the issue and I would not be opposed in trading Glencross as he would likely garner a good return. Stempniak ++ could get us something back as well and we need to be dealing from our strength (top 9 wingers).