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

Last time I checked, 7 teams had higher Goals Against than Edmonton last season. Does that mean 8 teams in the league last year had the worst defense an NHL team has had in decades?

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
- scoot174

Lol sorry but if you can't see that you'll be where the isles are within 3 years, you're naive

Lol sorry but if you can't see that you'll be where the isles are within 3 years, you're naive
- Danformo

And second, when the isles started their rebuild they had Fran's Nielsen and Kyle okposo as prospects, nothing else pretty much, milbury nuked the isles. A different rebuild than an oilers team with hemsky and smith to start (smyth traded for a collection of picks) or the pens with Lemieux,

Many seem to believe that “blowing it up” is the way to go. Well, I ask you…how many cases support this? How many GMs have stepped in and “blown things up” which paid off?
- Colin Dambrauskas

Easy.

Dean Lombardi.

Los Angeles Kings.

- Rebuilt reserve list, thriving on draft day
- Revamped and improved structure of the scouting staff and amateur scouting division
- Focused on the blueline, start from net out
- Built around a young, solid core already in place
- Traded for key pieces (Matt Green, Jarrett Stoll, Justin Williams)
- After winning the cup, they are still one of the three youngest teams in the NHL and were able to resign all of their players

I don't think he's the right guy for the job regardless of the direction of the team.

He has not shown the ability to manage a successful team in the cap era, and his inability to keep his mouth shut has me questioning his judgement. If they miss the playoffs again, I would be surprised if he survives.

Easy.

Dean Lombardi.

Los Angeles Kings.

- Rebuilt reserve list, thriving on draft day
- Revamped and improved structure of the scouting staff and amateur scouting division
- Focused on the blueline, start from net out
- Built around a young, solid core already in place
- Traded for key pieces (Matt Green, Jarrett Stoll, Justin Williams)
- After winning the cup, they are still one of the three youngest teams in the NHL and were able to resign all of their players
- savemefromtears

I fail to see the part where they traded their veteran core.

Update: As per SportsNet Rob Kerr, Clay Wilson has signed with Ukraine in the KHL.

Wilson was signed to a one year, two way contract last year with the Flames, but with the glut of defenders they currently hold, there was no real room for him to move up. Wilson was the Heats MVP last season and played a big role for them.

Morning all



...seems as though we had another Calgary vs Edmonton back and forth?

Update: As per SportsNet Rob Kerr, Clay Wilson has signed with Ukraine in the KHL.

Wilson was signed to a one year, two way contract last year with the Flames, but with the glut of defenders they currently hold, there was no real room for him to move up. Wilson was the Heats MVP last season and played a big role for them.

Morning all



...seems as though we had another Calgary vs Edmonton back and forth?
- Colin Dambrauskas

That a boy Clay, solid country.

Personally I don't care how Feaster runs the Flames, but when he opens his mouth to make a disparaging remark about another organisation I question his professionalism

Personally I don't care how Feaster runs the Flames, but when he opens his mouth to make a disparaging remark about another organisation I question his professionalism
- OilHorse

What disparaging remark are you referring to? If it's the comment he made about the Oilers finishing below the Flames last season, he was right. As for the wandering the desert comment, I don't recall him specifically referring to the Oil. Maybe you just took that personally.

What disparaging remark are you referring to? If it's the comment he made about the Oilers finishing below the Flames last season, he was right. As for the wandering the desert comment, I don't recall him specifically referring to the Oil. Maybe you just took that personally.
- TandA4Flames

Honestly, the guy is human...hes susceptible to all social banter that we read about as well. Its got to be tough to keep hearing the same crap from the media and people like me( ) about how he should run his team and how crappy a team he has etc etc....Im sure it gets to you eventually.

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.
- Troutback

You get out of it by doing it exactly how you would if you chose to burn it to the ground; be smart with drafting, make some key signings and properly manage your assets. (PLease don't bring up Jankowski, you probably know absolutely nothing about him).

CGY is in tough, no doubt about it. But burning it to the ground is not a guarantee of the quickest rebuild.

Honestly, the guy is human...hes susceptible to all social banter that we read about as well. Its got to be tough to keep hearing the same crap from the media and people like me( ) about how he should run his team and how crappy a team he has etc etc....Im sure it gets to you eventually.
- Colin Dambrauskas

Absolutely Colin, I totally agree. I meant to mention that in my comment as well. He had been bombarded with the "blow it up" scenario since the day he took over. It would get to me as well. Obviously, judging by my comments in your blog, it does get to me and I'm just a fan.

He makes some questionable comments but at least he is showing his passion and competitiveness. He wants to win just like anyone else.

You get out of it by doing it exactly how you would if you chose to burn it to the ground; be smart with drafting, make some key signings and properly manage your assets. (PLease don't bring up Jankowski, you probably know absolutely nothing about him).

CGY is in tough, no doubt about it. But burning it to the ground is not a guarantee of the quickest rebuild.
- TandA4Flames

Or sucessful for that matter.

Thing is, you dont just move all assets as soon as possible to get things going right away. You cant just take the best options currently available and hope for the best. Feaster needed a full year or so to create a vision or plan for this team, and it will take even more time to find the right deals for the team, and his plan.

I can guarantee you moving Kipper and Iggy are part of his plans, but it all depends on the need from other teams, and further if Iggy wants to be moved. Hes not out in left field, Im sure he recognizes his teams strenghts and weaknesses and needs to be patient in order to not cause any other problems.

He has let contracts walk out the door so far, that were not part of his plan. He has brought in a new coach and extra personnel as well. Hes moving forward, but this isnt going to be an overnight thing, nor will he make huge moves right away to appease the fans.

When the need for guys like Kipper are high, and teams become desperate then he may move them. For the time being, he needs not "shop" them for the sake of shopping them.

Patience is something that needs to be exercised on both sides...hes barely been given a chance to do anything significant so far.

Or sucessful for that matter.

Thing is, you dont just move all assets as soon as possible to get things going right away. You cant just take the best options currently available and hope for the best. Feaster needed a full year or so to create a vision or plan for this team, and it will take even more time to find the right deals for the team, and his plan.

I can guarantee you moving Kipper and Iggy are part of his plans, but it all depends on the need from other teams, and further if Iggy wants to be moved. Hes not out in left field, Im sure he recognizes his teams strenghts and weaknesses and needs to be patient in order to not cause any other problems.

He has let contracts walk out the door so far, that were not part of his plan. He has brought in a new coach and extra personnel as well. Hes moving forward, but this isnt going to be an overnight thing, nor will he make huge moves right away to appease the fans.

When the need for guys like Kipper are high, and teams become desperate then he may move them. For the time being, he needs not "shop" them for the sake of shopping them.

Patience is something that needs to be exercised on both sides...hes barely been given a chance to do anything significant so far.
- Colin Dambrauskas

I sure find it ironic that most of the blow up/ scorch the earth advocators, Feaster bashers are mainly Oiler posters on here but the minute you fire shots back they say patience & plan & direction. Personally, thats what I see Feaster doing here, he's being patient, he does have a plan, maybe many may not agree but he does have one & he is definitely heading in different directions that we havent seen around here for years. Another note, I was scoping the Canadiens thread & they are hoping the new CBA has some bad contract buyout clauses so they can get rid of the likes of Gomez & Bourque as they are not comfortable with them being in their top 6. I havent heard anyone say that Cammi shouldnt be playing in the top 6. Liking that trade more & more.

Update: As per SportsNet Rob Kerr, Clay Wilson has signed with Ukraine in the KHL.

Wilson was signed to a one year, two way contract last year with the Flames, but with the glut of defenders they currently hold, there was no real room for him to move up. Wilson was the Heats MVP last season and played a big role for them.

Morning all



...seems as though we had another Calgary vs Edmonton back and forth?
- Colin Dambrauskas

good move for Clay. He's about to turn 30, he needs to do something out of the AHL.

I sure find it ironic that most of the blow up/ scorch the earth advocators, Feaster bashers are mainly Oiler posters on here but the minute you fire shots back they say patience & plan & direction. Personally, thats what I see Feaster doing here, he's being patient, he does have a plan, maybe many may not agree but he does have one & he is definitely heading in different directions that we havent seen around here for years. Another note, I was scoping the Canadiens thread & they are hoping the new CBA has some bad contract buyout clauses so they can get rid of the likes of Gomez & Bourque as they are not comfortable with them being in their top 6. I havent heard anyone say that Cammi shouldnt be playing in the top 6. Liking that trade more & more.
- Kevin R

Totally agree! We got Cammy for Borque!!! In feaster I trust.

I fail to see the part where they traded their veteran core.
- Le_Moderateur

These are in 2006/2007 when DL first took over:

Pavol Demitra for Patrick O'Sullivan (rookie) / 1st round pick Trevor Lewis (#17)
Eric Belanger, Tim Gleason for Jack Johnson (rookie)
Craig Conroy for Jamie Lundmark / Dwight King (draft pick)
Brent Sopel for Wayne Simmonds (draft Pick)

All veteran players traded away for younger players/picks and to rebuild for the future.

If you recall, that Pavol Demitra trade was pretty huge, and DL did that trade at the draft in 2006. That was a sign that The Kings were going nuclear and begininning a decade long rebuild modeled after The Blackhawks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLARiM9t1eY

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

I guess we'll see, I jsut dont see how any of the players he brought in will affect how the team plays. hartley is probably the best chance to change the culture but guys like wideman, hudler, and the younger guys aren't the types of players who come in and change the makeup of a leadership group, at least they have yet to do so on teams they've played on. Good players, solid conributors, but not guys who will lead the team.

What disparaging remark are you referring to? If it's the comment he made about the Oilers finishing below the Flames last season, he was right. As for the wandering the desert comment, I don't recall him specifically referring to the Oil. Maybe you just took that personally.
- TandA4Flames

Obviously it is starting with the desert comment.

Said Feaster: “I’m sorry — Edmonton finished where last year, caller? Want to wager on where we finish relative to Edmonton this year? I’m tired of this question, I’ll tell you very honestly. I’m getting a little sour. How many teams . . . every year, for the last 10 years, five years, eight years, have finished in the bottom five, bottom seven, bottom 10? They’ve had a pick anywhere from No. 1 to No. 10 year after year after year after year, and they still wander in the desert. And they’re no closer to getting out than they were 10 years ago.

The only team mentioned was Edm...of course he is talking about Edm. SEe the underlined part? He is specifically referencing something he has mentioned already.

He is talking about how the Oilers are lost in a wasteland...aimless in a dry, hopeless space.

This is not me taking anything personal...it is about Feaster not being a professional. These are comments he made...yet they are in retaliation to a caller. It would be different if a person in Oiler management made a comment and he was retorting to that. It is Feaster getting pissy at a caller cause people question his decisions as GM in Calgary.

It is bad when fans ignore facts but when an GM decides to make up stuff because he is incompetent... something different.

"How many teams . . . every year, for the last 10 years, five years, eight years, have finished in the bottom five, bottom seven, bottom 10?"

Year/Oilers final league placement
02: 15 (flames, 22)
03: 14th (flames, 22)
04: 17 (flames 12)
06: 14 (flames 7, edm scf run)
07: 25 (13)
08: 19 (14)
09: 21 (10)
10: 30 (16)
11: 30 (17)

So in the past 10 years Edm has finished:

in bottom 10 4 times...Calgary twice...

In the bottom 7, 3 times

in the bottom 5 3 times.

He speaks of things that he is getting wrong, or that he is twisting to try and make an inadequate point.

Have the Oilers been a bad team recently? Yes. But he seems to ignore that Calgary has been a mediocre (or poor) team all but 2 years in the past decade.

So he should not speak of other teams until he has made sure his own team is not able to get painted with the brush he is using.

Oh, forgot to add to the proof that Feaster should not open his mouth when he doesn't have an inkling of wtf he is talking about...

Year/Top Oil pick in #
02: 15
03: 22
04: 14
05: 25
06: 45
07: 06
08: 22
09: 10
10: 1
11: 1

So where are all these Top Ten picks he speaks of...

Bottom line. Feaster should be more professional and not speak out about his peers as he did. If he needs to speak he should know thefacts.

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.
- Yobble

29 Edmonton NW 82 32 40 10 74


If you think you were not a 29th place team, you are wearing Rose coloured glasses my friend.

You dump all over Feaster, but he may be the most honest GM in the league. At his year end press conference he stated that even though the Flames finished 9th and appeared close, they are not close and have to make changes. Intellectual honesty.

The Oilers have done nothing have yet to show they are nothing more than a "Media Hyped" version of the New York Islanders