AHL- Apolyton Hockey League 07/08: VII Da da da, da da daa, da da da, da daa da daa

[Ben Kenobi]

Interesting. Completely different methodology.

[Flubber]

Originally posted by Ben Kenobi
Interesting. Completely different methodology.

Not really that helpful though when people's old predictions (opposite of the actual results) are still in the mix


If it were up to date with the actuals it would be ok but the scenatrios now are getting pretty simple

With a single point the Flames cannot be surpassed by the OIl-- If do not get a single point, they are toast

Other than that the flames have 2 and 3 point leads with 3 games to go and two teams must pass them for them to miss the playoffs. They should make it.


But if they don't does Keenan keep his job?

Regardless of what happens, does Sutter deserve to still be seen as some super-GM-- I thought he did great last year at the deadline but the players never really pannned out-- THis year --nothing!!

[Asher]

You can update the spreadsheet and toy with it, Flubber...

[Ninot]

Honestly, I don't think Sutter deserves too much criticism. He's still putting out a really good team in a strong west.

[Ben Kenobi]

You can update the spreadsheet and toy with it, Flubber...

Yes, exactly. I'm still striking off possibilities from my earlier list.

Thank you Asher. I find it interesting how he's got that set up.

[Asher]

Originally posted by Ninot
Honestly, I don't think Sutter deserves too much criticism. He's still putting out a really good team in a strong west.

Agreed. I think the pieces are all here.

Really, I've two complaints about Sutter:
1) The prospects cupboard is pretty bare. Drafting needs work, as does retention (best prospects fled to Europe).
2) The Kobasew-Ference for Stuart-Primeau trade...

But on the flip side, he's made some brilliant trades:
1) Leopold for Tanguay
2) Montador for Huselius
3) 2nd round pick for Kiprusoff
And he's signed some great players:
4) Iginla signed long term
5) Phaneuf signed long term
6) Regehr signed long term
7) Kiprusoff signed long term

The seasons haven't gone as planned, but I'm not sure we can fault the GM much for that.

[Flubber]

Originally posted by Asher
You can update the spreadsheet and toy with it, Flubber...

I know but thats a PIA to update the actuals and it doesn't really give me any real great information anyway

[Ben Kenobi]

Calgary's problems can be spelled

K--E--E--N--A--N

[Asher]

Originally posted by Ben Kenobi
Calgary's problems can be spelled

K--E--E--N--A--N

I seriously doubt that, because Calgary's problems pre-date Keenan. I'm sure you knew that, as an obviously well-informed fan that follows teams other than your own.

[Ben Kenobi]

Oh true, if your goal is to recapture the glory of 2004.

But if you want to return to being a playoff team, Keenan isn't going to lead you to the promised land.

[Asher]

Originally posted by Ben Kenobi
Oh true, if your goal is to recapture the glory of 2004.

But if you want to return to being a playoff team, Keenan isn't going to lead you to the promised land.

Your assertion is Keenan is the problem with the team, but the team is no worse this year than in prior years.

So, it just doesn't make sense.

[Flubber]

Originally posted by Asher

The seasons haven't gone as planned, but I'm not sure we can fault the GM much for that.

Well owners tend to blame someone when seasons do not go as planned-- One season can be a fluke or a coach or whatnot but when two different coaches fail to get a good regular season result from a squad, you start to wonder about the architect that designed the squad.

I actually like most of what Sutter did-- I was actually excited last season about acquiring Stuart too-- I thoughht he could have been a key to a long playoff run but in retrospect the price surrendered was too much

My beef with Sutter comes mainly in the 3rd and 4th lines -- I think the Flames have become much less tough over the last couple of years and not as dangerous. I don't see anyone on the bottom lines that other squads would look at with any envy as far as performance goes

[Ben Kenobi]

Well the solution is obvious then. Make Keenan your GM.

[Flubber]

Originally posted by Ben Kenobi
Well the solution is obvious then. Make Keenan your GM.

NO I don't see the Flames cahnaging horses and the reality is that if the Flames buck up and then show up big in the playoffs and win a couple of series convincingly before losing in a valiant effort to an Anaheim or San Jose, many would be talking about the team that was well designed for the playoffs.

I like much of what Sutter has done but

-- in the last two years there has not been one new breakout player come out of the farm system-- Boyd and Moss are decent enough players but neither is a huge impact

-- None of his 3rd and 4th line signings have been a pleasant surprise-- To me this is where a GM could really shine in finding that plugger that steps up to contribute. maybe its just a luck thing

-- While still coached to be a hitting team they don't have the same edge that they used to-- The Flames don't seem near as tough as a few years back despite having a real heavyweight in Godard. Fighting and team toughness are not synonyms.

-- The Flames defence this year is worse than last year despite continued improvement by Phaneuf. Part of it is the continue of the decline of Warrener from a solid guy to an iffy often injured one but I think the team now realizes what an asset Hamrlik was-- Aucoin, Sarich, Erikkson all seem to have defensive liabilities

-- I actually like Hale--Every game I have seen him play he has seemed solid and dependable as a number 5-6 type D

-- VanderMeer seems a good addition and the price was right-- BUt its a sign of the Flames D situation that a relatively cheap, essentially a castoff from another team (and not an elite team at that ) EASILY cracked into the top 4 of the Flames D

[Ben Kenobi]

Darn, I was hoping for more trades with Calgary like the Luongo deal.

The funny thing is that the Canucks have known about Aucoin for a long time. He's an ok defenseman, but never was the number one guy for us, he's a top 4 defensemen, but that's all.

Hamrlik on the other hand was a much, much better defenseman.

I went back to go read some comments from Calgary fans after the Keenan trade and they all say the same thing, that this was an interim thing to toughen the team up after Playfair. All of them said they didn't want Keenan back for more then a year, even if they agreed that it was a good deal.