Trevor Neufeld: On Potential Re-signings — Sorting Out the Roster — Micheal Raffl

So a couple of days later after the Johnny Walker news I feel like the following is true.

1) Staying in Calgary was never an option for JG. But they (JG and his agent) never told Calgary management that.
2) Losing JG was never an option for ownership. They need to hire someone who can properly analyze risk, as it is unacceptable to lose Brodie, Gio, and JG in succession and have 1 playoff round win to show for it.
3) I have not seen a sincere thank you to the fans of Calgary from JG, which shows he understands that he understood stringing the team along would have consequences.
4) This team has some really good pieces to facilitate a quick rebuild/retool
5) Ownership only wants to make the playoffs. See point 2
6) I still think whatever it is, 5 coaches in 7 years have been the cause of the failure of this rebuild. That is directly on Tre.
- DuranDuran

Perfect analysis.

No to resigning Stone unless he's happy with the role and money he's had for the past few years. Mackey needs to be in the NHL this year or traded. Valimaki should also probably get another shot. He hasn't really earned it, but they're paying him too much to be in the AHL. His salary doubles this year.

The physicality, or lack thereof, of the top four wasn't an issue last year. Why do you think it's going to be a problem this year?

Raffl is one of the more underrated players in the league, He does not take shifts off, is positionally sound and when needed can play a top 6 roll with some extremely good hands. Great pickup.

Thanks Trevor.

Here are the simple facts.

The Flames as a team scored 293 goals last season and Johnny was in on 115 of them.
When a player is in on 40% of a teams' entire goal production, I think it is safe to say, that he elevates the game of every one he plays with.
The worse that should happen when you lose an asset like that, is you weigh the assets you received back, whether that be draft picks or other players and see what direction you want to head in.
Yes there is controversy on how Johnny left, but the bottom line is simple. A General Managers' job is to protect assets and Treliving failed miserably.

Thanks Trevor.

Here are the simple facts.

The Flames as a team scored 293 goals last season and Johnny was in on 115 of them.
When a player is in on 40% of a teams' entire goal production, I think it is safe to say, that he elevates the game of every one he plays with.
The worse that should happen when you lose an asset like that, is you weigh the assets you received back, whether that be draft picks or other players and see what direction you want to head in.
Yes there is controversy on how Johnny left, but the bottom line is simple. A General Managers' job is to protect assets and Treliving failed miserably.
- Fan the Flame

Stop pretending it's a thing GMs do. Unless teams are complete garbage, they don't trade stars with a year left on their contract, and every year great players get signed as free agents and leave their teams for nothing. It's the whole reason free agent day is a thing. Gaudreau was also coming off of two pretty mediocre seasons last offseason. The return for him wouldn't have been all that impressive. If someone offered Calgary a monster deal, he probably would've traded him.

Who was the last good team to trade their star before the final year of their deal? It's not something teams do. Karlsson is the only one that comes to mind and there were about a billion other factors that led to that one, and it was way more obvious that the Sens' time as a good team was over. He was also a much better player than Gaudreau at the time when the trades would've happened and Sens fans were outraged at the return.

Gaudreau's gone. Treliving went above and beyond to get him to stay. Get over it.

Apologies to all who want to "take a break" while the dust settles at the Saddledome but the sexual assault PR disaster at Hockey Canada surely deserves a bit of a look if only because the media will not let go of a "good" story.
Global News has taken it upon themselves to get every member of that team to respond (basically deny or be damned by public opinion) to Global's "inqui investigation."
And Hockey Canada's sponsorships that have been built up over decades have been fleeing like cockroaches under a bright light. The fact is Hockey Canada did investigate. And Hockey Canada says it notified the police the next day And for that they are being castigated and minor league hockey development in Canada will be poisoned for years to come. By one incident , involving one/several teenagers who like so many other humans throughout the world and throughout history made a bad decision.
The point that everyone is missing in the unseemly rush to judgment is:
If there is "reasonable" evidence to believe that a criminal offense was committed why in hell is Hockey Canada blamed for the police not doing anything about an apparent criminal act?
Not top mention the fact that sometimes assault cases are handled in the civil courts (rightly or wrongly) so why the unseemly rush to judgment led by, as so often happens these days, the federal Liberal government? Don't they have work to do to keep our country out of a recession? For God's sake, Leave it to the police!
I'll tell you why I believe Hockey Canada will be the scapegoat for the police not doing their job: because law enforcement in this country is broken, rudderless, unaccountable and contaminated by incompetence at every level. paralysed by a judicial system that's even more broken than law enforcement and living in fear of the monster created by Jack Dorsey.
Q: Why should we care about Hockey Canada's fate?
A: Anyone who is upset at Gaudreau fleeing Canad the first chance he got should consider this:
Gaudreau, like so many other American players is in the NHL today because of the widespread (and growing)) availability of sports scholarships in the US. By comparison Canada essentially has no such thing to offer young, aspiring hockey athletes (or any other athletes for that matter.)
The only things we have to offer are junior leagues which are coordinated, encouraged and supported by Hockey Canada. And now the mood will be who needs hockey? it's expensive, it's corrupt and my kid can do just as well with a basketball, soccer ball or baseball.
By the time the media, twitterites and politicians get finished only a fool would want to risk their career and even personal reputation to save Hockey Canada. Just watch.
We're witnessing an epochal moment for Canadian hockey.
(And whether you share my concern or think I'm a complete idiot we should all thank HB for allowing us to express our opinions without undue censorship. It's actually becoming quite rare these days, if you hadn't noticed.
Check out Sportsnet and see how they close commenting EVERY SINGLE TIME they run a story about anything that relates to whatever they deem to be "social controversy."

Link to the inquisition at Global News:
https://globalnews.ca/new...t-probe-player-responses/


Please consider the environment (and fellow HBers): If you care to respond please don't quote my entire comment. It'll be obvious what you're referring to. Thanks

(And whether you share my concern or think I'm a complete idiot we should all thank HB for allowing us to express our opinions without undue censorship. It's actually becoming quite rare these days, if you hadn't noticed.
Check out Sportsnet and see how they close commenting EVERY SINGLE TIME they run a story about anything that relates to "social controversy."

- itwasin

Let's be real. They're not allowing anything. It's apathy. They don't have anyone who cares enough to pay people to do moderation.

There are also about 8 people who will read your comment, so who cares what you post. It's not a bastion of free speech. It's a bastion of yelling into a void.

You're also vastly overstating the impact this will have on parents signing up their kids to play hockey. Scandals and sports are ubiquitous. They happen in every sport and in every country. People at the top get replaced and everyone is happy. Or they just stick around and everyone stops caring because sports.

Let's be real. They're not allowing anything. It's apathy. They don't have anyone who cares enough to pay people to do moderation.

There are also about 8 people who will read your comment, so who cares what you post. It's not a bastion of free speech. It's a bastion of yelling into a void.

You're also vastly overstating the impact this will have on parents signing up their kids to play hockey. Scandals and sports are ubiquitous. They happen in every sport and in every country. People at the top get replaced and everyone is happy. Or they just stick around and everyone stops caring because sports.
- Squeaky

I agree on the first point. You're absolutely right. Sadly.
Number of people who will read it: you could be right. I don't know. But even though other media will never admit they come here I strongly suspect some visit regularly; it may not be as a big a void as we assume.
I hope you're right about me overstating the impact of this controversy. But I don't see how we can stay competitive with the US in producing world class (and NHL calibre) players - for the reasons I alluded to - Hockey Canada being but the most recent and obvious one.
Cheers.

I hope you're right about me overstating the impact of this controversy. But I don't see how we can stay competitive with the US in producing world class (and NHL calibre) players - for the reasons I alluded to - Hockey Canada being but the most recent and obvious one.

- itwasin

Nothing's going to be impacted. They'll do an investigation, they'll blame someone, people will move on and forget and all the sponsors will be back. People like hockey in Canada. People aren't going to stop dreaming of their 2-year-old being the next Gretzky.

Penn State is doing fine, US Gymnastics is doing great, no one has problems with Duke, the Blackhawks scandal has already been forgotten, FIFA is still a thing.

Thanks for taking the time to respond.
But I think it's realistic that the innocent players on that team will always be expecting to hear: "Oh. so you were on that team. Hmm." Which is pretty unfair. Unfortunate that they were just "in the wrong place at the wrong time." Collateral damage as they say. It happens.

On a completely different note, I've been wondering if Conroy and/or Treliving might be feeling so burnt that they'd resign voluntarily. Can anyone name a GM or asst GM who's ever resigned without having another job to go to?
And is anyone giving odds on Sutter becoming GM again? If not him, then who?

Stop pretending it's a thing GMs do. Unless teams are complete garbage, they don't trade stars with a year left on their contract, and every year great players get signed as free agents and leave their teams for nothing. It's the whole reason free agent day is a thing. Gaudreau was also coming off of two pretty mediocre seasons last offseason. The return for him wouldn't have been all that impressive. If someone offered Calgary a monster deal, he probably would've traded him.

Who was the last good team to trade their star before the final year of their deal? It's not something teams do. Karlsson is the only one that comes to mind and there were about a billion other factors that led to that one, and it was way more obvious that the Sens' time as a good team was over. He was also a much better player than Gaudreau at the time when the trades would've happened and Sens fans were outraged at the return.
Gaudreau's gone. Treliving went above and beyond to get him to stay. Get over it.
- Squeaky

In 602 games played Johnny has 609 points and an impressive plus 85 so to imply that the " return for him wouldn't have been all that impressive" at any time in his career is illogical.

Secondly a year ago when Johnny was a restricted free agent he wanted out and every body and his dog except Treliving knew he wanted out of Calgary. I mean he took millions less to accomplish that.

Thirdly despite his efforts the Flames winning record had been dismal so trading him was not splitting up a strong competitive dynasty. Even Wayne Gretzky got traded.

In 8 years Treliving' record of two playoff wins is grounds for dismissal. G.M.s with far
far better records than that have been shown the door.

You seem to be missing one salient point here. We got nothing in return. Nothing. Uness one dismal playoff series win keeps you happy. Must be nice to be so accepting of getting so royally put together. I for one don't want to " Get over it " so easily.

You seem to be missing one salient point here. We got nothing in return. Nothing.
- Fan the Flame

Again, this happens all the time and every GM does it. Every player signed on UFA day means their previous team lost them for nothing, and sometimes that team just gave away assets to rent them for couple of months.

Should teams who aren't legit Cup contenders trade away players who won't extend before their final season? Maybe. Probably. But no teams do and Treliving isn't a bad GM for doing what every other GM in his position would do.

It doesn't help your argument by saying 609 points and +85 when 115 of those points and 64 of those +s came last year. He had 107 points and was a -8 in 126 games over the two previous seasons. No one is trading the farm for that.

Thanks for taking the time to respond.
But I think it's realistic that the innocent players on that team will always be expecting to hear: "Oh. so you were on that team. Hmm." Which is pretty unfair. Unfortunate that they were just "in the wrong place at the wrong time." Collateral damage as they say. It happens.

- itwasin

What does that have to do with what you were saying before? Yeah, it definitely sucks for them, but Hockey Canada is not going to implode and cancel the sport over it.

Thanks Trevor.

Here are the simple facts.

The Flames as a team scored 293 goals last season and Johnny was in on 115 of them.
When a player is in on 40% of a teams' entire goal production, I think it is safe to say, that he elevates the game of every one he plays with.
The worse that should happen when you lose an asset like that, is you weigh the assets you received back, whether that be draft picks or other players and see what direction you want to head in.
Yes there is controversy on how Johnny left, but the bottom line is simple. A General Managers' job is to protect assets and Treliving failed miserably.
- Fan the Flame

Even if it was known he was not going to resign in Calgary long term theres no way you could make a trade going into those playoffs. Calgary had a good team, Building for futures is fine but when your better than just a fringe playoff hope its hard to justify selling off for the better of the future. Would have been nice if they resigned him but I think most knew he was always wanting to come back east, Who would have traded for him and returned something for futures that would not have been deterrent on your playoff run this year.

Apologies to all who want to "take a break" while the dust settles at the Saddledome but the sexual assault PR disaster at Hockey Canada surely deserves a bit of a look if only because the media will not let go of a "good" story.
Global News has taken it upon themselves to get every member of that team to respond (basically deny or be damned by public opinion) to Global's "inqui investigation."
And Hockey Canada's sponsorships that have been built up over decades have been fleeing like cockroaches under a bright light. The fact is Hockey Canada did investigate. And Hockey Canada says it notified the police the next day And for that they are being castigated and minor league hockey development in Canada will be poisoned for years to come. By one incident , involving one/several teenagers who like so many other humans throughout the world and throughout history made a bad decision.
The point that everyone is missing in the unseemly rush to judgment is:
If there is "reasonable" evidence to believe that a criminal offense was committed why in hell is Hockey Canada blamed for the police not doing anything about an apparent criminal act?
Not top mention the fact that sometimes assault cases are handled in the civil courts (rightly or wrongly) so why the unseemly rush to judgment led by, as so often happens these days, the federal Liberal government? Don't they have work to do to keep our country out of a recession? For God's sake, Leave it to the police!
I'll tell you why I believe Hockey Canada will be the scapegoat for the police not doing their job: because law enforcement in this country is broken, rudderless, unaccountable and contaminated by incompetence at every level. paralysed by a judicial system that's even more broken than law enforcement and living in fear of the monster created by Jack Dorsey.
Q: Why should we care about Hockey Canada's fate?
A: Anyone who is upset at Gaudreau fleeing Canad the first chance he got should consider this:
Gaudreau, like so many other American players is in the NHL today because of the widespread (and growing)) availability of sports scholarships in the US. By comparison Canada essentially has no such thing to offer young, aspiring hockey athletes (or any other athletes for that matter.)
The only things we have to offer are junior leagues which are coordinated, encouraged and supported by Hockey Canada. And now the mood will be who needs hockey? it's expensive, it's corrupt and my kid can do just as well with a basketball, soccer ball or baseball.
By the time the media, twitterites and politicians get finished only a fool would want to risk their career and even personal reputation to save Hockey Canada. Just watch.
We're witnessing an epochal moment for Canadian hockey.
(And whether you share my concern or think I'm a complete idiot we should all thank HB for allowing us to express our opinions without undue censorship. It's actually becoming quite rare these days, if you hadn't noticed.
Check out Sportsnet and see how they close commenting EVERY SINGLE TIME they run a story about anything that relates to whatever they deem to be "social controversy."

Link to the inquisition at Global News:
https://globalnews.ca/new...t-probe-player-responses/


Please consider the environment (and fellow HBers): If you care to respond please don't quote my entire comment. It'll be obvious what you're referring to. Thanks
- itwasin

have a snickers.

Apologies to all who want to "take a break" while the dust settles at the Saddledome but the sexual assault PR disaster at Hockey Canada surely deserves a bit of a look if only because the media will not let go of a "good" story.
Global News has taken it upon themselves to get every member of that team to respond (basically deny or be damned by public opinion) to Global's "inqui investigation."
And Hockey Canada's sponsorships that have been built up over decades have been fleeing like cockroaches under a bright light. The fact is Hockey Canada did investigate. And Hockey Canada says it notified the police the next day And for that they are being castigated and minor league hockey development in Canada will be poisoned for years to come. By one incident , involving one/several teenagers who like so many other humans throughout the world and throughout history made a bad decision.
The point that everyone is missing in the unseemly rush to judgment is:
If there is "reasonable" evidence to believe that a criminal offense was committed why in hell is Hockey Canada blamed for the police not doing anything about an apparent criminal act?
Not top mention the fact that sometimes assault cases are handled in the civil courts (rightly or wrongly) so why the unseemly rush to judgment led by, as so often happens these days, the federal Liberal government? Don't they have work to do to keep our country out of a recession? For God's sake, Leave it to the police!
I'll tell you why I believe Hockey Canada will be the scapegoat for the police not doing their job: because law enforcement in this country is broken, rudderless, unaccountable and contaminated by incompetence at every level. paralysed by a judicial system that's even more broken than law enforcement and living in fear of the monster created by Jack Dorsey.
Q: Why should we care about Hockey Canada's fate?
A: Anyone who is upset at Gaudreau fleeing Canad the first chance he got should consider this:
Gaudreau, like so many other American players is in the NHL today because of the widespread (and growing)) availability of sports scholarships in the US. By comparison Canada essentially has no such thing to offer young, aspiring hockey athletes (or any other athletes for that matter.)
The only things we have to offer are junior leagues which are coordinated, encouraged and supported by Hockey Canada. And now the mood will be who needs hockey? it's expensive, it's corrupt and my kid can do just as well with a basketball, soccer ball or baseball.
By the time the media, twitterites and politicians get finished only a fool would want to risk their career and even personal reputation to save Hockey Canada. Just watch.
We're witnessing an epochal moment for Canadian hockey.
(And whether you share my concern or think I'm a complete idiot we should all thank HB for allowing us to express our opinions without undue censorship. It's actually becoming quite rare these days, if you hadn't noticed.
Check out Sportsnet and see how they close commenting EVERY SINGLE TIME they run a story about anything that relates to whatever they deem to be "social controversy."

Link to the inquisition at Global News:
https://globalnews.ca/new...t-probe-player-responses/


Please consider the environment (and fellow HBers): If you care to respond please don't quote my entire comment. It'll be obvious what you're referring to. Thanks
- itwasin

Sorry but the cops are limited in what they can do if the victim refuses to cooperate or identify her attackers. Hockey Canada (frank)ed up in a number of ways including by not requiring players to participate in its investigation. They are only doing that now after the feds have pulled their funding

Again, this happens all the time and every GM does it. Every player signed on UFA day means their previous team lost them for nothing, and sometimes that team just gave away assets to rent them for couple of months.

Should teams who aren't legit Cup contenders trade away players who won't extend before their final season? Maybe. Probably. But no teams do and Treliving isn't a bad GM for doing what every other GM in his position would do.

It doesn't help your argument by saying 609 points and +85 when 115 of those points and 64 of those +s came last year. He had 107 points and was a -8 in 126 games over the two previous seasons. No one is trading the farm for that.
- Squeaky

Every year before the so called free agent frenzy a G.M. must decide if his team is a buyer or a seller. This is based on whether you believe your team can make a viable Cup run.

It is a great time for sellers as buyers with legitimate contenders will sacrifice draft picks for what they may see as that final piece of the puzzle.

Treliving failed on two counts. His teams dismal performance in the playoffs shows he mistook himself as a buyer when he clearly should have been a seller.

Secondly his prized player in the midst of a career season and very very desirable had no intention of signing. PERIOD.

How can you feel good starting a new phase of this hockey team with Treliving at the helm?

Every year before the so called free agent frenzy a G.M. must decide if his team is a buyer or a seller. This is based on whether you believe your team can make a viable Cup run.

It is a great time for sellers as buyers with legitimate contenders will sacrifice draft picks for what they may see as that final piece of the puzzle.

Treliving failed on two counts. His teams dismal performance in the playoffs shows he mistook himself as a buyer when he clearly should have been a seller.

Secondly his prized player in the midst of a career season and very very desirable had no intention of signing. PERIOD.

How can you feel good starting a new phase of this hockey team with Treliving at the helm?
- Fan the Flame

You really didnt think this team had any shot to advance past round 2 this year?

Every year before the so called free agent frenzy a G.M. must decide if his team is a buyer or a seller. This is based on whether you believe your team can make a viable Cup run.

It is a great time for sellers as buyers with legitimate contenders will sacrifice draft picks for what they may see as that final piece of the puzzle.

Treliving failed on two counts. His teams dismal performance in the playoffs shows he mistook himself as a buyer when he clearly should have been a seller.

Secondly his prized player in the midst of a career season and very very desirable had no intention of signing. PERIOD.

How can you feel good starting a new phase of this hockey team with Treliving at the helm?
- Fan the Flame

They were one of the best teams in the league, won the division, and were clearly buyers last year. Only four teams get past the second round.

It's not a new phase yet. It's still a great team and it's even more Treliving's team now with Gaudreau gone. If this year's a disaster, then sure, blow it up and bring in someone new. But Treliving has built a solid team and has done far more good than harm to the Flames. He's widely respected and liked around the league and it's only the idiot Flames fans that don't appreciate what they have.

Ryan Pike
@RyanNPike
·
18m
Matthew Phillips joins Andrew Mangiapane and Oliver Kylington in filing for arbitration.


Ryan Pike
@RyanNPike
·
12m
Matthew Tkachuk has *not* filed for salary arbitration.

Ryan Pike
@RyanNPike
·
12m
Matthew Tkachuk has *not* filed for salary arbitration.
- drogon

That's somewhat good news. At least his plan isn't to take the one-year deal and figure things out next year.

That's somewhat good news. At least his plan isn't to take the one-year deal and figure things out next year.
- Squeaky

Chucky has until Friday to sign is QO.

Chucky has until Friday to sign is QO.
- DEDDIE

Yeah, but if he's planning on going that route, there's no reason not to go to arbitration. Arbitration has a 100% chance of giving him more than his qualifying offer and is probably somewhere between 10-11 million.

Yeah, but if he's planning on going that route, there's no reason not to go to arbitration. Arbitration has a 100% chance of giving him more than his qualifying offer and is probably somewhere between 10-11 million.
- Squeaky

Based on what? Gaudreau had 115 points & just got 9.75 mill where in fck are you getting 10-11 million from?
At best Chucky would get just under Gaudreau money but he could risk getting slightly under the QO. Once he goes to arbitration, he cant accept the QO. So no brainer Tkachuk didnt go arbitration.