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.
- FLAMES TO WIN

I don't thin Nash should be used as any sort of comparison for a return. He has a big ticket, hasn't performed that great in the NHL as of late and made it known he wouldn't just waive is NTC outright.

Iggy on the other hand probably agrees to go to quite a few teams at the TDD and if healthy I have to think he gets you a pretty decent package.

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.
- 13sundin13

He has changed the culture of the team.

He has made the team younger while getting rid of older players
He keeps his draft picks
He looks at Europe for potential NHL players.
He brings players to the team who aren't only from Western Canada (Backlund and the Calgary tower are the exceptions)

He has changed the culture of the team.

He has made the team younger while getting rid of older players
He keeps his draft picks
He looks at Europe for potential NHL players.
He brings players to the team who aren't only from Western Canada (Backlund and the Calgary tower are the exceptions)
- FLAMES TO WIN

Is it odd that we have less western Canadian players but now lack grit on the team now?

Everybody knows they should have blown up the roster and started the rebuild.

Unfortunately... when they do realize it, their main trade pieces will be too old.
- jimmc7722

The Islander never blew it up! Oh Yea, you would have to be good at some point to blow it up.

Islanders, worst organization in Hockey

I just keep thinking, "Who's wandering in the desert now?" I really want this team to be successful...as an Oiler fan I want the Oilers AND Flames to both be great teams, meet in the playoffs, and beat each other senseless...but I'm thinking that the cupboards are bare...aside from Sven who is there? Something has gotta give...Feaster was way out of line with that "desert" comment last year and now it's come back to bite him...somewhere awkward...

....as an Oiler fan I want the Oilers AND Flames to both be great teams, meet in the playoffs, and beat each other senseless...
- Yobble

so much this!!! I loved the Battle of Alberta, it was the best hockey ever.

aside from Sven who is there?
- Yobble

John Gaudreau is an interesting prospect. Averaged a point a game as a true freshman on the national champs Boston College. Here he is in the championship game.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFwYRz00gtc

I just keep thinking, "Who's wandering in the desert now?" I really want this team to be successful...as an Oiler fan I want the Oilers AND Flames to both be great teams, meet in the playoffs, and beat each other senseless...but I'm thinking that the cupboards are bare...aside from Sven who is there? Something has gotta give...Feaster was way out of line with that "desert" comment last year and now it's come back to bite him...somewhere awkward...
- Yobble

Really? you finished 29th Overall with the worst Defense an NHL team has had in decades.

You have not addressed your defense needs and are counting on Dubnyk to be a legit #1 starter behind a horrid D and a bunch of kids up front.

Tell me how you are any closer to respectability than the Islanders?

so much this!!! I loved the Battle of Alberta, it was the best hockey ever.
- ShooterMcGavin

Semenko-Hunter, the Rat, Risebrough... (sigh) those were the days...
Also the days when the yappy, cocky Canucks fans had NOTHING to pipe up about...

Great article! Under this analysis Feaster looks less like a bumbling fool and more like someone trying to stop a sinking boat without enough duct tape.

I think this off season is going to make or break Feaster.

The Cervenka signing is solid, pricey but solid. It's just for one year, loaded with bonuses, and if he pans out he'll be a genius.
If Hudler has to repeat his performance he had with Detroit to be a success.
Wideman must become a PP QB and 1st pairing Dman.
And Heartley has to make the team exciting to watch.

If these things happen then Calgary makes the playoffs. Especially because Detroit is finally going to miss the playoffs, Phoenix is out without Doan/Whitney and Nashville is going to struggle to score enough to make the 8.

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

I'm getting so very tired of all you "knowledgable" fans that know what "should" be done.

I heard the same Oiler glory arguments last year after drafting RNH, I heard it 2 years ago after drafting Hall. We are going to be this and our kids are going to be that. Get over it. I understand the need believe in something, but seriously, a little reality check people. You have finished 30th, 30th and 29th. Your argument holds absolutely no sustenance. At least challenge for a playoff berth and then you can maybe start to argue what a force you will soon be.

Everybody knows they should have blown up the roster and started the rebuild.

Unfortunately... when they do realize it, their main trade pieces will be too old.
- jimmc7722

How well has that plan worked for you guys so far?B

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

You must be an Oilers fan. How well has the rebuild worked for you guys so far?

Seriously, all the comments of how the Flames should approach the team from the Oilers, Islanders and Maple Leafs fan base who preach a blow it up method, should just stay quiet. Your teams have been worse than the Flames for so much longer and any mention of "well, soon enough...." should be deleted. Make the playoffs and then mention something; show us Flames fans that you have truly learned something. Until then we will all keep struggling with our teams and hope they get over the hump.

Rant over.

Seriously, all the comments of how the Flames should approach the team from the Oilers, Islanders and Maple Leafs fan base who preach a blow it up method, should just stay quiet. Your teams have been worse than the Flames for so much longer and any mention of "well, soon enough...." should be deleted. Make the playoffs and then mention something; show us Flames fans that you have truly learned something. Until then we will all keep struggling with our teams and hope they get over the hump.

Rant over.
- TandA4Flames

Just a question for you. Who do you see coming in and taking over for Jarome, or Kippur? How do the flames replace these guys in the next few years? Through trade, draft or Free Agency?
After those two, the Flames are thin on superstar talent.

You must be an Oilers fan. How well has the rebuild worked for you guys so far?
- TandA4Flames

Actually its worked out far better than we thought it would thanks.

I'd watch the Oilers team play everyday of the week before the Flames. The Oilers are FAR more exciting to watch and have a great future. Flames...not so much.

Actually its worked out far better than we thought it would thanks.

I'd watch the Oilers team play everyday of the week before the Flames. The Oilers are FAR more exciting to watch and have a great future. Flames...not so much.

- Iggysbff

There you go again with this 'future' stuff. Sure, it looks good, but will it pan out? YOU DON'T KNOW THAT???!! How many years slip away before you guys stop saying the future looks good. Or do you keep saying "this is the year" after every top 5 pick for the next 5,6,7.... Years? If it comes to that.

For the record. I'm not delusional about my team; I realize we are in a tough and scary position. But I want to watch my team fight for the playoffs instead of cheering for losses.

John Gaudreau is an interesting prospect. Averaged a point a game as a true freshman on the national champs Boston College. Here he is in the championship game.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFwYRz00gtc
- tincup

You're right - I saw that Kid play and he's a nice little player - some great skills...sorry - forgot about him!

Really? you finished 29th Overall with the worst Defense an NHL team has had in decades.

You have not addressed your defense needs and are counting on Dubnyk to be a legit #1 starter behind a horrid D and a bunch of kids up front.

Tell me how you are any closer to respectability than the Islanders?
- scoot174

You're not getting it. The Oilers have a PLAN. A DIRECTION. If you don't think that the Oilers improved last year overall you were not watching. They were not a 29th place team...sure they stunk sometimes but we all got a taste of what's to come. It takes time for a good rebuild but you have to stay the course. The Flames unfortunately have no plan and are seriously going nowhere...and that sucks for a hockey fan in Alberta. The band-aids aren't working.

I think the criticism comes from the fact that he has openly criticized the way other organizations are run and some contracts that other organizations have agreed to. Yet he goes and does the same thing. And the draft this year was brutal for Calgary imho. The draft was considered weak after #10 yet they go out and pick a guy ranked mid 2nd round.
- Oilfan19

So if it's weak after #10, what does it matter. You might as well take a flyer on a skilled kid. You are all the same guys who say year after year that CGY never drafts skill; too many WHL guys with leadership but no skill.

Just a question for you. Who do you see coming in and taking over for Jarome, or Kippur? How do the flames replace these guys in the next few years? Through trade, draft or Free Agency?
After those two, the Flames are thin on superstar talent.
- Troutback

So what are you suggesting? That some magical savior is guaranteed to come if we trade our stars for, most likely, low 1st rounders? There are no guarantees, bud.

Really? you finished 29th Overall with the worst Defense an NHL team has had in decades.

You have not addressed your defense needs and are counting on Dubnyk to be a legit #1 starter behind a horrid D and a bunch of kids up front.

Tell me how you are any closer to respectability than the Islanders?
- scoot174

The Oilers finished 23rd in goals against with a patched together defense. How is that the worst in decades?

And they only allowed 2 more goals even strength than your Flames...ya they really are much worse

So what are you suggesting? That some magical savior is guaranteed to come if we trade our stars for, most likely, low 1st rounders? There are no guarantees, bud.
- TandA4Flames

Well if you don't blow it up - which you're opposed to - how do you get out of the "always the bridesmaid, never the bride" situation the flames are in.

I think the flames could contend for the playoffs but no one thinks they're a cup contender. I also think that they're in trouble, first with kipper and then a little later with Iggy.

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

You could also add trading Lanks for Stemps as significant. He also traded for Jones and maybe the most significant
of all, he let the kids play.

people forget the flames only had Cammy for 20 games last year....act like that trade was a failure, lets see him play a full season and get back to the 30 goal level. Wideman hat 46 points last year, Hudler 25 goals

how are these bad moves? Cervenka who knows but worth a shot