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After a disappointed season, the Calgary Flames ended their season not strong enough to make the playoffs and not weak enough for a potential top 5 draft selection.
They made headlines for losing streaks and trading their best player, and despite a year of frustration, the Flames are still optimistic moving forward with the youth they have in their cupboards.
"Obviously we're disappointed with how this season went," Feaster said when he met the media Monday. "It's not acceptable to miss the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season. Obviously with the way things went, we made the difficult decision to change direction prior to the trade deadline (and) get younger players in the lineup." The Canadian Press
Towards the end of the season, Calgary’s 2011 entry draft pick Sven Baertschi showed a lot of improvement. In the post season he will concentrate on increasing his mass and I’m sure he’ll come be a crucial part of the Flames team next season. Other youngsters Roman Horak and Max Reinhart showed the potential to be a part of next year’s squad, as did Mark Cundari. Though he only played four games as a Flame, the defender was solid scoring a goal and 2 assists.
Some vets were accommodating with the surge of youth involvement at the end of the season and showed leadership. At the end of the season Mike Cammalleri, Lee Stempniak, Curtis Glencross and Mark Giordano expressed hope for next season and displayed dignity in their play. Fans aren’t singing the praises of another vet, Alex Tanguay, who angered fans when he showed up to clear out the locker room and do his end of the season interviews wearing a golf hat, however.
It appears a few players such as Tanguay and even Cammalleri could express levels of interest over the summer or next year to be moved to teams who are in contention for the playoffs, given their experience around the league. However, as mentioned previously, the Flames could certainly use guys like these in the locker room as they introduce and begin to develop some of their rookies at the NHL level. They will need to keep a certain core of experienced players around in order to establish, or maintain, a level of competitiveness and winning atmosphere which a successful franchise needs.
An atmosphere like this isn’t just needed for proper player development, but also to appease fans and owners too. Just ask most Edmonton fans how they've felt about their team in recent years. It seems most fans are content with cheering their team to lose and reach for higher draft selections rather than pushing their team to succeed. Given how much acceptance we’ve observed from Oiler fans to play it slow and steady, it appears that management has had no real reason to force moves in an attempt to move their team up the standings.
As such, the Oilers have now accepted the title of the longest playoff drought at seven straight seasons subsequent to the Leafs finally clinching a post season spot. Now, there is much debate that the Oilers are playing it safe and smart by bringing in a ton of talented youth and that further, this youth will develop into a perennial Stanley Cup contending team.
Well, here’s the thing – you need a core of experienced players who understand what it takes to win, in order for that goal to be realized. The Oilers simply have far too much of the same – top end scorers. They need to start making moves to acquire shut down defenders, a legitimate starting goalie, and a few strong supporting role guys. They have the assets to acquire such players…they just need to get the ball rolling.
"It's important that our guys develop in a winning atmosphere and have that we-want-to-win mentality. That’'s how guys learn. It becomes and organizational thing and a cultural thing." Jay Feaster - The Canadian Press
There have been a lot of questions concering Jay Feaster this season. Although he’s traded away Iginla, Bouwmeester, and Comeau, no questions have been answered with respect to the security of his job because we really haven’t received anything in return as of yet. Still to this day, most of the trades and draft selections he has made have yet to really come to fruition and consequently makes it rather challenging to judge the GM’s tenure with the Flames. Personally, I feel he’s making the right moves needed for this franchise, and further that NHL fans alike should give him a little more time before asking for his head.
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Last night during the TSN Draft Special, it was announced that the Flames will pick 6th overall at the 2013 NHL draft, with the 1st overall pick going to the Colorado Avalanche. Given his background, you can almost bet that Seth Jones will be part of the Colorado organization next season. This draft will be very serious for the Flames this summer; acquiring the right fit and ensuring their development and integration of said player(s) will be critical for the team’s future success. In a recent press conference, Feaster went on to say that he is open to just about any possibility with respect to the draft and summer. He will entertain offers to move picks if needed to acquire players they have interest in, or even package picks to move up in the draft.
In spite of missing the playoffs, fans can still see two Flames in action when TJ Brodie suits up for team Canada and Chris Butler for team USA at the 2013 Men’s World Ice Hockey Championships in May. You may also get the chance to see Backlund who will suit up for Sweden and Hudler for the Czech Republic.
This season, the Toronto Maple Leafs broke the longest playoff drought, missing the post seasons for 7 consecutive seasons. Feaster is hopeful and determined to ensure that the Flames playoff drought will not go on as long as the Leafs though I see many similarities between the two clubs. Like former Toronto GM Brian Burke a few years ago, Feaster has taken reign of the Flames with little to work with thanks to his predecessor(s).
Feaster, like Burke, took over believing the team was playoff ready and as such acquired a few players to increase his team’s odds at playoffs…well; it didn’t work for either team. After coming to the realization that his team is not as strong as he thought it was, Feaster has taken a new path and started to rebuild his team through a youth and draft movement much like the Leafs started a few years ago.
How long such a movement will take and whether or not Feaster will stick around to see these transactions take shape is still left to be seen. Though one thing is certain, the Flames have the advantage of learning from the mistakes of their Oiler and Leafs foes, and could potentially turn their club around much quicker than most may assume. And with that being said, expect a very busy and active summer for Calgary.
Thanks for reading!
Calgary Flames Blogger • 
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