That's not completely true. They just need something to cheer for. Last year the game against Jersey where we jumped out to the 4-0 lead, and the game where Iggy scored his 500th the Dome was as loud as I've ever heard it...

A boring system makes it hard for the fans to find a reason to cheer.
- jtommyt

It just always blows my mind when the dome gets taken over by visiting team. Jets/Canadiens/Leafs, its almost fifty fifty and visiting teams fans are always louder.

I think all these were pretty significant changes, and gambles that shifted from what sutter had put in place
- moving regher
- letting jokinen go, replacing with cervenka
- signing wideman, hudler
- cammelleri trade
- trading a 1st for a 2nd and getting Janowski
- new coach

Besides regher and the draft swap this year. On paper they were all moves that corrected team weaknesses. If they don't pan out this year or show they are helping, we will lose iggy and THEN Feaster is going to be burned in effigy
- numbear

All significant moves: Yes

Impacted the team yet?: No



This year could be different, however.

Blowing it up, means moving all current(older) assets, ultimately meaning not having a strong enough team to compete beyond last place...or...setting yourself up for a high draft pick.

Feaster wont be blowing things up. He may move a few assets if they can aid in his vision for the team, but he wont be having any yard sales.

Im sure most fans who attend games agree, albeit a longer and possibly rougher road, trying to remain competitiving while retooling is more entertaining than a fire sale to get high draft picks and waiting 4-5 years to compete again.

"Blowing it up" as it were, is no guaranteed way to succeed.

Show me how said teams, "blew" things up. Developing and strengthening through the draft is one thing, having a fire sale leading to a tanked couple of seasons, is another.
- Colin Dambrauskas

Blowing it up would speed up the process of building through the draft so for example the oilers had nothing for years and it will take them much longer than say the flames because the flames have assets now they could turn in to additional prospects and picks. If they had kept their cap at or near the floor like florida did they could then sign FA's once they stocked up on picks and prospects. Calgary has some toxic contracts with ntc's to that would be expried giving them a fresh start.

30 isn't far fetched if he's healthy.
- Lahey

I just don't see it happening. If it does good for him being the 8th or 9th person in NHL history to do that as a rookie.

I say he comes close.. Hallsy was near it in his rookie year.
- Oilfan19

I agree I think he comes close, but I don't think he hits it. I can see 25 for sure.

I just don't see it happening. If it does good for him being the 8th or 9th person in NHL history to do that as a rookie.
- wolfos412

Well Hall was at a 28 goal pace and RNH was at 24 goal pace. I think Yak has more goal score ability than both going into his rookie year.

If healthy he'll be pretty (frank)ing close.

I think all these were pretty significant changes, and gambles that shifted from what sutter had put in place
- moving regher
- letting jokinen go, replacing with cervenka
- signing wideman, hudler
- cammelleri trade
- trading a 1st for a 2nd and getting Janowski
- new coach

Besides regher and the draft swap this year. On paper they were all moves that corrected team weaknesses. If they don't pan out this year or show they are helping, we will lose iggy and THEN Feaster is going to be burned in effigy
- numbear

That's true, he's made changes, but I would argue that he hasn't changed the culture of the team. Hes brought in people to fill certain areas, players coming and going, but the core ideals of the team have not changed, and if they've had limited success with those ideals over the last how many years, theres no reason to think they're going to have increased success in the forseeable future. Especially with the core getting older. Its not like he's Gillis and has a contending team, I think the Flames needed someone to come in and change the mentality of the team and to me, it doesn't look like he's done that. Time will tell on these changes he's made, on the surface they just seem like he's made moves to fill the holes that have left. Hartley is a key move, hopefully that pans out.

I agree I think he comes close, but I don't think he hits it. I can see 25 for sure.
- wolfos412

I say 28-35-63.. if healthy

Who said anything about tanking, by that you refer to throwing games? NO

"Blowing it up" would refer to building through the draft, i seriuosly hope you figured that out. Like chicago, pitt, caps etc. who have all gone from the bottom to the top after a few years of being in the basement.

And about those oilers.... if you are trying to tell me they wont be in the running for a cup in 2 years and for the next 10 after. rookie of the year this year will have at least 30 goals if not more and yes im talking yak not the high school kid.
- allen_gamble

Ask the Islanders...

I say 28-35-63.. if healthy
- Oilfan19

and if his line stays productive all year, I think he'll be on the 2nd line with Gags, first line will be Hall RNH Eberle.

Again I ask...when has this ever happened? An official "blow up"?
- Colin Dambrauskas

I have no problem about making every contract a NMC or NT as long as there is no "guaranteed" contracts. I think the players are going to have to decide on that one. Cant have it both ways, dont perform but dont let a team address it.

Feaster has been GM officially for 1 year & 3 months, so yeah, lets see what he can without armchair criticizing every move. You never mentioned the Aliu trade that we basically gave up nothing & this kid has that mean streak we may come to love if he can put it all together. Also note worthy is how Feaster initially put a lot of work straightening out the AHL team & we had a great playoff run this last spring. Sutter totally ignored his farm system.

For those who say blow the SOB totally up again really are just full of hot air. Because in the next breath they criticize for all the NMC/NT contracts. So how do you blow that up if you cant move the players either other teams dont want them or the player refuses to go. Sure Feaster gave out some, so what. If you can get a lower salary & cap hit for a player you want around for the next 3-5 years anyway, who cares. Oiler fans can criticize all they want but once the RFA's are about to become UFA's, get ready to see a rash of NT/NM contracts as well. Its the nature of the beast right now & who knows if the new CBA will fix this.

Dale tallon has shown how to rebuild a team twice. Maybe fester should try what he has done blow up the team get lots of draft picks. Then build a short term team with free agency. Till top draft picks are ready. Got a strong draft coming up now would be the time if any.

I disagree with the notion that most Flames fans are piling on Feaster.

He refused to go the "scorched earth" route, which is starting to become less glamourous than it was 2 or 3 years ago. Time will tell if his strategy was the right one.

Elaborate...
- Colin Dambrauskas

The Penguins burned it to the ground between 2002 to 2006

http://en.wikipedia.org/w...res_again_.282002-2006.29

Dale tallon has shown how to rebuild a team twice. Maybe fester should try what he has done blow up the team get lots of draft picks. Then build a short term team with free agency. Till top draft picks are ready. Got a strong draft coming up now would be the time if any.
- Crazycaboose

Agreed. That's the best way to rebuild a team. Sure, you'll end up overpaying a couple of FA's but you'll have a competitive team, a fresh look and more assets by trading current rosters players for picks/young players and then filling the holes by signing free agents. Tallon takes some criticism for his management style, but I believe it's a very good plan.

All significant moves: Yes

Impacted the team yet?: No



This year could be different, however.
- Colin Dambrauskas

I agree. I think this is the year where we see The Feasterisms on the team

Slight bias perhaps?
- Colin Dambrauskas

Maybe very slight. But I dont agree that its just the Dome either.

I went to 5 playoff games during the cup run in 04. The Dome rocked, the city partied. The games were high tempo and exciting. It was awesome. But since they have gone downhill and I have given up on them. The last 5 years have been terrible hockey in Calgary. So I know what they are capable of, but its just not there and I cant cheer for them anymore.

The Penguins burned it to the ground between 2002 to 2006

http://en.wikipedia.org/w...res_again_.282002-2006.29
- Reveen

That was just poopty ownership that wouldn't commit. Same as CHI, WSH and others.

That was just poopty ownership that wouldn't commit. Same as CHI, WSH and others.
- Lahey

The had a Florida Marilins style firesale.

he should have been "blowing it up" the minute he got there. the team has not made the playoffs either way so who cares if you finish 17th best or last?? he could have got some good assets for a few of players they had and been well on there way. its not like the oilers who had nothing and started from scratch. if he doesnt believe in "blowing it up" he shouldnt have taken the job. the flames fans shouldnt have to watch their team get worse ever year with zero hope of a turn around.
- allen_gamble

The problem with finishing last is that you have to watch terrible hockey for a season. I liked the fact that we were in a playoff race until near the end of the season. Much more exciting that way

Colin Dambrauskas: Jay Feaster: Why The Hate?
- Colin Dambrauskas

100% Agree! Excellent read!

Doing nothing got us RNH and Yak
- Lahey

RNH is an amazing player. Lets wait and see how Yak does before we judge how good he is

RNH is an amazing player. Lets wait and see how Yak does before we judge how good he is
- FLAMES TO WIN

I've felt better about him than Hall and RNH for some reason. RNH mainly because he had the body of a 12 year old girl.

I think all these were pretty significant changes, and gambles that shifted from what sutter had put in place
- moving regher
- letting jokinen go, replacing with cervenka
- signing wideman, hudler
- cammelleri trade
- trading a 1st for a 2nd and getting Janowski
- new coach

Besides regher and the draft swap this year. On paper they were all moves that corrected team weaknesses. If they don't pan out this year or show they are helping, we will lose iggy and THEN Feaster is going to be burned in effigy
- numbear

The Nash deal has shown us how much we would get for Iggy, but we would get less. Iggy is far more valuable to this team than what we would get in return. Flames would be stupid to trade him. Only way Iginla leaves the team is if he wants to.

I blame the Dome, its a pretty dull place to watch a game no matter the team.
- DDM-Coga

Agreed! When its a one goal game and fans are leaving you know there's something wrong.

Dome fans are some of the worst.