Sutter on the QC Flames: It's what I expected (QC Online) - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Hoody · 11-17-2008, 06:55 AM

http://qconline.com/archives/qco/display.php?id=413849

Hoody

c.t.ner · 11-18-2008, 08:22 AM

Countdown till inflammatory remarks about how the Flames ownership screwed over Omaha and how QC doesn't deserve the team...3...2...1...

That being said, good to see Darryl down there and not hitting the panic button just yet. Good to note that he's not sugar coding the attendance issues either.

SparkyOne · 11-18-2008, 08:44 AM

There are attendance issues right now, but I don't think they're so overwhelming that they won't reverse themselves. And I'd rather have Sutter seeing them than burying his head in the sand. I actually like that QC doesn't pad the numbers....we know exactly where we stand.

That said, I think there's something that Sutter maybe should think about. I love the developmental aspect of this league and I don't have a problem with the fact that's how Calgary wants to use the QC team. But to draw in the casual fan, there has to be some entertainment value as well. Two of the last four games at home were so bad that I even seriously thought about leaving. They were brutal! Even now, I'm having a hard time thinking of more than a couple of redeeming factors in those 120 minutes of hockey.

I convinced two people to go to the first (worst) game. When talking about it afterward, I told them that game was the exception and to give it another try. Unfortunately, they decided to go to the next game (the Wednesday game against Peoria) that was almost as bad. Now they don't care if they ever go again. And I'm hard pressed to find ways to convince them that things will be better....

I don't think it's asking for the world to expect an AHL team to come ready to play every night and to put forth at least a modicum of effort. That's coaching and management. That's where McGill and Sutter better be looking in a mirror while digesting those attendance figures....

dobbles · 11-18-2008, 11:23 AM

yeah the attendance thing is two sided. right now the team has played some awful games at home and it makes people not want to come out and see them. people at least want to see a competitive game, and all too often at home, they haven't been that way. we can't score enough goals to keep it exciting (especially on the PP) and haven't even had a whole lot of fights to keep the casual fan interested.

the other aspect is the presentation of the game. for you calgarians, a bit of backstory... we have a minor league baseball team in the qc as well. this summer they saw a huge attendance increase. they managed to convince the public that coming to the games was a fun time and that everyone was doing it. by the end of the season, they were having huge crowds. they managed this while being a team in a lower level of the minors, and also with a team that was under .500 and never really even had a shot at the playoffs.

unfortunately, the flames have not been able to draw in the casual fans. we can place blame on a variety of issues such as ticket prices, hockey not being as popular, the team sucking, or many others. but fact of the matter is, the qc flames staff needs to transform the image of the team. right now the local media gives a pretty piss poor rep to the team, and its up to the qc staff to turn that around. they have to make people want to come to the game. saturday we had a great crowd due to youth jersey night. we need more promotions and excitement like that to get folks to the game.

and then we need to actually put a quality product on the ice when we get them there.

Canada 02 · 11-18-2008, 12:28 PM

Omaha Knights
05/06: 3271 fans/game
06/07: 3543 fans/game

Quad City
07/08: 3523 fans/game
08/09: 2776 fans/game

I don't see this ending well for QC

simmer2 · 11-18-2008, 12:42 PM

The Rochester Amerks are going through the same issue right now as well. They are icing a very young team that is struggling to win games and as well struggling to draw fans out. In my opinion, it would help the youngster's development and building a fan base by signing an AHL star (borderline NHL guy) like Jeff Taffe, Mike Iggulden (who is playing really well for Bridgeport), etc. Guys that can put the puck in the net at this level. It won't hurt the development of our players.

SparkyOne · 11-18-2008, 12:49 PM

Actually, the rumor was already floating over the weekend that Sutter isn't happy and may move the franchise.

To that, I would say good luck. How many times does Sutter think he can fail (and yes, Calgary has had a BIG hand in this thing if the Flames fail in the QC....this year's team has skill, but is not well-coached or motivated) before other cities wonder what the problem is?

Especially if (again, a rumor) Quad City were to pick up another AHL franchise and were to be successful with it... Dave Andrews was in town a week or so ago and, according to what I heard, he wants QC in the AHL.

Attendance will go up after the holidays. It always does. Whether that rise in numbers is enough for Calgary is another question.

SparkyOne · 11-18-2008, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by simmer2

The Rochester Amerks are going through the same issue right now as well. They are icing a very young team that is struggling to win games and as well struggling to draw fans out. In my opinion, it would help the youngster's development and building a fan base by signing an AHL star (borderline NHL guy) like Jeff Taffe, Mike Iggulden (who is playing really well for Bridgeport), etc. Guys that can put the puck in the net at this level. It won't hurt the development of our players.

McGill has said more than once that winning (i.e., scoring goals) is not important. What is important is the development of the player. Just how those two things aren't connected for most of the guys on our roster is beyond me....

Canada 02 · 11-18-2008, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by simmer2

The Rochester Amerks are going through the same issue right now as well. They are icing a very young team that is struggling to win games and as well struggling to draw fans out. In my opinion, it would help the youngster's development and building a fan base by signing an AHL star (borderline NHL guy) like Jeff Taffe, Mike Iggulden (who is playing really well for Bridgeport), etc. Guys that can put the puck in the net at this level. It won't hurt the development of our players.

they basically did that last year with Stevenson and Kolanos, and this season with Lundmark

SparkyOne · 11-18-2008, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Canada 02

they basically did that last year with Stevenson and Kolanos, and this season with Lundmark

If Lundmark is considered an "AHL star", then the AHL is in serious trouble!

I lose count of how often he turns over the puck every game....but some are far worse than others!

Canada 02 · 11-18-2008, 03:41 PM

^he and Eriksson should be playing like all-stars or their NHL careers are over

besides, it was in reference to the previous post about borderline NHLers like Jeff Taffe, Mike Iggulden. Lundmark is just a point or two behind them in league scoring

dobbles · 11-18-2008, 03:55 PM

yeah, i think qc fans do forget we have had a few non developmental players both years. as mentioned, kolanos and stevenson were huge assets last year. this year we have guys like eriksson, lundmark, and vandermeer who are not exactly calgary developmental candidates.

i think too often we hear sutter say things like 'development is our main goal' and instantly assume we are at a disadvantage. i honestly think its just a matter of the players we do have not playing up to the level they should. take a guy like david vandergulik. he's been invisible this year. pelech has been less than amazing so far this year. last year guys like chucko were pretty awful. its just the luck of the draw.

PIMking · 11-18-2008, 04:17 PM

there is only a few bright spots on this team. thats it. the team will be gone this year and Calgary will have to pony up some money for bailing on the contract with the owners of qc. With that money qc will pick up another franchise that will actually care about the farm and the fans so people around these parts will be happy.

Calgary will move to another city (if they can find someone so gullable) to sit in for 2 more years and bail on them like they will us and Omaha.

What hurts me more is that Im actually a calgary fan. But with they way Sutter and players seem not to care about us good riddance.

QCsec113 · 11-18-2008, 06:50 PM

I understand the developmental part and Mcgill saying that he doesnt care about goals scored and that would all be fine if the team on the ice acted like they cared!!There have been some home games this year where youd be hardpressed to find a single thread of emotion on this team.they play like they are in a sunday skate around or something.lifeless and dull would be the way to describe the type of hockey this team plays.Very dissapointing esp. after palins comments at the beggining of the year about how this team was going to play a tough and hard-nosed style of hockey.

BringTheKnightsBack · 11-19-2008, 06:29 AM

sutter expected the quad cities to fail miserably in attendance? why did he move the there? at least you qc fans have time to prepare for the announcement that calgary is leaving. in omaha he just blew a bunch of smoke up our rears and said everything was a go for season number 3. just where does sutter think the team will be located next year? i am sure the word has gotten around about how fly by night the calgary ahl operation has become.

Hunter74 · 11-23-2008, 11:10 AM

Armstrong put up a few points in the last game. Maybe he will be able to solidify the teams second line? There may be hope.

SparkyOne · 11-24-2008, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hunter74

Armstrong put up a few points in the last game. Maybe he will be able to solidify the teams second line? There may be hope.

After watching these guys for the last week, there's definitely hope! They're acting and playing like a hockey team these days!!!