I also agree with this. However, if the team is at least competitive in most games, losing 2-1 and 3-2 games, I think Feaster will stick with the plan and try to acquire youth and picks primarily for the future.
- TandA4Flames

Yep!...but if Ramo doesnt pan out, we could be looking at 4-1 / 5-1 games...

Not always the case. You'd be surprised what a strong system can do for certain players. And I think where we differ is more on the opinion of Bryz-no-glove than anything
- Colin Dambrauskas

Your flashing a little sass today Colin. New persona? Missing Clouts? Actually strike that, I wouldn't ever want to compare u in any way to that hack.

Keep up the great articles

All good points guys...the reason I write these blogs.

What most of you need to remember when commenting is, Feaster is (not) going to allow this team to get shelled every night. So if Ramo (does) crap the bed he will be addressing it somehow...mark my word

Yes they are rebuilding - No hes not going to let them tank while doing so. Not healthy for a team moving forward (unless you plan on dumping everyone who was around during said tank).
- Colin Dambrauskas

I agree that Feaster will not let this team get shelled every night durring the rebuild. I do think they will see what they have in Ramo and Berra this year. This year is not going to have a lot of youngsters like some think. They signed and already had veterans on this team, albiet younger veterans. This year is more of a tryout year to see who sticks with the youngsters coming up in 2014 and beyond.

This will be a good topic of conversation for next summer if Ramo or Berra do not look they have the stuff to be a #1.

JMac Bryz
age 33 33
GP 122 425
GAA 3.01 2.55
PCT .903 .913

Looking at the numbers alone, yes Bryz would be an upgrade over JMac. BUT what we really need is a strong mentoring backup for Ramo and Berra to lean on. Bringing in Bryz would mean trying to find a taker for JMac and having the added locker room and media distraction that comes with Bryz. The marginally improved stats is not enough to over come the downfalls of the distraction that will be there even if he has learned his lesson (the media wont let it go) and the fact JMac seems to have those mentor-ship qualities

Yep!...but if Ramo doesnt pan out, we could be looking at 4-1 / 5-1 games...
- Colin Dambrauskas

not with the perfect defensive system you think Hartley is going to put in place

not with the perfect defensive system you think Hartley is going to put in place
- Barx

I do hope Hartely changes his defensive system. Last year it was ugly in their own end. I have heard nothing about him changing the system, so this might be a bit of Colin's "hopes" rather than reality.

are we forgetting about someone?

What I would love to see is Bryz brought in to back up Luongo in Van. Hed fit right in with the gongshow tthat's growing there. How fun would it be having Bryz in that situation with Torts as the coach. Gooooooooooooood times if you're outside of Vancouver

are we forgetting about someone?
- DDM-Coga

Yea, there is the appitamy of mentorship right there.

Yea, there is the appitamy of mentorship right there.
- TandA4Flames

oh you just want crazy crazy, not right wing conservative crazy. However I bet Timmy can still play at a high level, there was a report that teams were interested in signing him just a few weeks ago

4 games. His stats prior to that were horrid.
- dwoo33

You said "any indication" to which he gave you one.

Nashville is effed now. They dont have a back up signed and apparently Rinne hasnt been able to start skating yet since offseason surgery.

Bryz will end up there

Your flashing a little sass today Colin. New persona? Missing Clouts? Actually strike that, I wouldn't ever want to compare u in any way to that hack.

Keep up the great articles
- TandA4Flames

No...just in the mood for a debate and Ive yet to have anyone bring up a solid reason why I should change my mind about Bryz-no-glove (called him that years ago and it stuck with me )

Best argument so far is his leadership skills, or lack thereof. I would hazzard to think that he's looked to address his "personality" issues as his agent is problem telling him "no one wants to sign a goof, ya goof"!

I agree that Feaster will not let this team get shelled every night durring the rebuild. I do think they will see what they have in Ramo and Berra this year. This year is not going to have a lot of youngsters like some think. They signed and already had veterans on this team, albiet younger veterans. This year is more of a tryout year to see who sticks with the youngsters coming up in 2014 and beyond.

This will be a good topic of conversation for next summer if Ramo or Berra do not look they have the stuff to be a #1.
- nigelwright275

not with the perfect defensive system you think Hartley is going to put in place
- Barx

*angry fist shake*

JMac Bryz
age 33 33
GP 122 425
GAA 3.01 2.55
PCT .903 .913

Looking at the numbers alone, yes Bryz would be an upgrade over JMac. BUT what we really need is a strong mentoring backup for Ramo and Berra to lean on. Bringing in Bryz would mean trying to find a taker for JMac and having the added locker room and media distraction that comes with Bryz. The marginally improved stats is not enough to over come the downfalls of the distraction that will be there even if he has learned his lesson (the media wont let it go) and the fact JMac seems to have those mentor-ship qualities
- PrairieShadow

I do like the thought that everyones brought up that Joey will be good to have in the room with the younger players. So, good points.

I do hope Hartely changes his defensive system. Last year it was ugly in their own end. I have heard nothing about him changing the system, so this might be a bit of Colin's "hopes" rather than reality.
- nigelwright275

Calgary was a complete mess last year...to be fair. Hartley barely had the time or tools to effectively construct a proper defensive system. But he is a coach who relies on strong systems and work ethic, and with a few additions to the roster I expect an improvement in that regard. They didnt have problems scoring last year which many seem to feel, it was defensively that they lacked.

Jones/Galiardi/Russel/OBrien should help here.

Again it shouldnt be because theyre rebuilding that they shouldnt care...if the Flames and their fans can learn anything its that you dont want to "tank" while rebuilding, you want to try to keep a competitive environment so guys are always striving to be their best. Ie. Ramo - Berra due to Bryz.

- Colin Dambrauskas

Can you give an example or two that leads you to the conclusion that a couple of seasons of losing badly can have such a drastic affect? I agree that at a certain point losing begins to become a part of the team culture, but does it really happen that soon? Seems to me it's not so much the losing that needs to be avoided as it is the practice of just handing jobs to guys regardless of performance, with no competition for those roles. As long as there's competition for roles, they should be able to maintain a competitive atmosphere through the adversity of a few bad seasons.

*angry fist shake*
- Colin Dambrauskas

...just giving ya a hard time.
Thanks for tossing up something for discussion today.
Cheers.

Calgary was a complete mess last year...to be fair. Hartley barely had the time or tools to effectively construct a proper defensive system. But he is a coach who relies on strong systems and work ethic, and with a few additions to the roster I expect an improvement in that regard. They didnt have problems scoring last year which many seem to feel, it was defensively that they lacked.

Jones/Galiardi/Russel/OBrien should help here.
- Colin Dambrauskas

Feaster needs to add more dirty/gritty players so at the very least the Flames will be unpleasant to play against. Hartley is known for his aggressive systems.

Feaster needs to add more dirty/gritty players so at the very least the Flames will be unpleasant to play against. Hartley is known for his aggressive systems.
- Barx

I agree with this. Getting beat regularly is one thing. Getting beat AND beaten up regularly is another.

Feaster needs to add more dirty/gritty players so at the very least the Flames will be unpleasant to play against. Hartley is known for his aggressive systems.
- Barx

He did with guys like OBrien, McGrattan....plus he added some size with Galiardi/Jones...baby steps

...just giving ya a hard time.
Thanks for tossing up something for discussion today.
Cheers.
- Barx

good chat

Can you give an example or two that leads you to the conclusion that a couple of seasons of losing badly can have such a drastic affect? I agree that at a certain point losing begins to become a part of the team culture, but does it really happen that soon? Seems to me it's not so much the losing that needs to be avoided as it is the practice of just handing jobs to guys regardless of performance, with no competition for those roles. As long as there's competition for roles, they should be able to maintain a competitive atmosphere through the adversity of a few bad seasons.
- Quetzalcoatl

Oilers, Edmonton
Islanders, New York

Two teams who had some strong assets but have yet to develop a winning atmosphere as a result of years of losing. Edmonton has yet to establish themselves as the strong team which they feel they have the potential to be.

But one could argue that both have taken serious strides of late, but fact of the matter is that neither have made the playoffs in years despite drafting high. (06 EDM, 07 NYI)

Oilers, Edmonton
Islanders, New York

Two teams who had some strong assets but have yet to develop a winning atmosphere as a result of years of losing. Edmonton has yet to establish themselves as the strong team which they feel they have the potential to be.

But one could argue that both have taken serious strides of late, but fact of the matter is that neither have made the playoffs in years despite drafting high. (06 EDM, 07 NYI)
- Colin Dambrauskas

Islanders made the playoffs last year...