Trevor Neufeld: Defining the Narrative — Addressing Roster Issues — Being Honest

Just replying to last thread.

I check in there every once in a while. Some good stuff being written, but not as consistent as it should be. .
- K-man25

I think it’s a combination of a few things.

One, I think there may be something of a year three fatigue. We’ve seen it with other Flames writers. Vetter, Dumbrauskas, Cordell. Probably forgetting a couple. Certainly a case for some meta theory. Learning (slowly) how to manage that.

CHN has me going as You are the news network. Anything and everything Calgary Flames is up to you to report. That is a lot. Especially when everyone else at the network has credentials and can pursue stories on a more personal level.

Fun, but also a grind. 2022-2023 took a lot out of everyone following the team. Take a look at today’s piece and you have some reflections on covering a team that doesn’t know where they are going. You can feel it with other outlets too.

Add on that the day job is hard work and I have a tough time bringing my standard of writing to the screen. It needs to be inspired work. Accepting less is unacceptable.

Another aspect is that the Oilers are in the third round while the Flames are playing golf. You don’t want to check out, but finding that personal muse is harder when Shelbyville is having their minute.

Damn Trevor! The timing of this has me scratching my head. I get what you are saying & where you are heading with this but shouldnt this particular piece waited until after the draft. There could be some real big revelations once we see what moves Conroy does at the draft. There just has to be moves. We have draft capital, we have cap space (I see us having over $20 mill to weaponize) & we have talented pieces that would be in demand in the trade market. Put all that together & look at the cap situation of other teams & damn we may be talking a different tune this summer. If we get another top 10 pick, I would think that takes the awkwardness out of what direction we are going. In fact, we are set up to fall into some real early picks over the next two years despite the remain competitive posturing we see from ownership/upper management.

Interesting about the Pagnotta suggestion of Calgary & Tampa being trade partners ie Jeanott. He would be ideal to have while we fold in all these young new guys. If he
fits great or he would bring a great return at the TDL. If he cost a 2024 3rd round
pick perfect, Tampa needs picks & cap space. Or I would have no problem trading Pelts for him. Gives Tampa cap space & a young NHL ready player on league min. & a former 1st rounder to save face with because of the insane price they paid to get Jeanott 1st, 2nd 3rd & a 4th
Pelts is not waiver exempt this year & I honestly dont see where he fits in lineup.
Cap space will be a huge commodity for Flames if used wisely.

But.............................................if Conroy does sweet f all at the draft, Im with you on this.

Damn Trevor! The timing of this has me scratching my head. I get what you are saying & where you are heading with this but shouldnt this particular piece waited until after the draft. There could be some real big revelations once we see what moves Conroy does at the draft. There just has to be moves. We have draft capital, we have cap space (I see us having over $20 mill to weaponize) & we have talented pieces that would be in demand in the trade market. Put all that together & look at the cap situation of other teams & damn we may be talking a different tune this summer. If we get another top 10 pick, I would think that takes the awkwardness out of what direction we are going. In fact, we are set up to fall into some real early picks over the next two years despite the remain competitive posturing we see from ownership/upper management.

Interesting about the Pagnotta suggestion of Calgary & Tampa being trade partners ie Jeanott. He would be ideal to have while we fold in all these young new guys. If he
fits great or he would bring a great return at the TDL. If he cost a 2024 3rd round
pick perfect, Tampa needs picks & cap space. Or I would have no problem trading Pelts for him. Gives Tampa cap space & a young NHL ready player on league min. & a former 1st rounder to save face with because of the insane price they paid to get Jeanott 1st, 2nd 3rd & a 4th
Pelts is not waiver exempt this year & I honestly dont see where he fits in lineup.
Cap space will be a huge commodity for Flames if used wisely.

But.............................................if Conroy does sweet f all at the draft, Im with you on this.
- Kevin R

Marek suggested the Jeannot concept too. Wouldn't be surprised if Pags was running with that a bit on a slow day. Friedman said he hadn’t heard anything, but getting that piece would be a great move. There is something special about his style when he’s healthy.

The Fourth Period reported that they beleive the Flames made an offer for Xhekaj. Surely, most teams have, but that would be a great add.

Just replying to last thread.



I think it’s a combination of a few things.

One, I think there may be something of a year three fatigue. We’ve seen it with other Flames writers. Vetter, Dumbrauskas, Cordell. Probably forgetting a couple. Certainly a case for some meta theory. Learning (slowly) how to manage that.

CHN has me going as You are the news network. Anything and everything Calgary Flames is up to you to report. That is a lot. Especially when everyone else at the network has credentials and can pursue stories on a more personal level.

Fun, but also a grind. 2022-2023 took a lot out of everyone following the team. Take a look at today’s piece and you have some reflections on covering a team that doesn’t know where they are going. You can feel it with other outlets too.

Add on that the day job is hard work and I have a tough time bringing my standard of writing to the screen. It needs to be inspired work. Accepting less is unacceptable.

Another aspect is that the Oilers are in the third round while the Flames are playing golf. You don’t want to check out, but finding that personal muse is harder when Shelbyville is having their minute.
- Trevor_Neufeld_

Hey wasn’t meant as a slam, just a honest reply to Duran. Truth is I check into CHN and sometimes nothing changes, other times there’s 2 or 3 new articles. I agree it’s the dark days of the season and not a lot to report on. I don’t envy anyone that has to provide content at this time of year.
On the Flames and their future, Conroy can say whatever ownership wants to hear. We all know this team is not going to be competitive for the next 3 -4 years. Fluff it over all they want but the truth is unless we draft a couple years at top 5 we’re relying on luck to be successful. No one is handing us star players, build through the draft and make some smart trades when the team is ready.
For me, I don’t want them to sign any older players long term right now. I’d rather watch Connie dismantle the roster and secure more picks or young prospects.
Treliving really screwed the franchise over trying to build a competitor. Don’t get me wrong, he made some great picks and some awesome trades but there’s also a lot of mistakes along the way. Numerous coaches, numerous goalies, crappy ufa signings, giving up draft picks at the wrong time. Letting grit and sandpaper walk away for nothing, the Bennett fiasco, alienation of Tkachuk, the list goes on.
Regardless Trevor, do appreciate your insight, you provide a lot on Flames info that we don’t get to hear unless you write about it. Take some time for yourself and enjoy the people around you. I’m doing that this weekend, going fishing with some buddies from my youth as well as some new good friends. There wil be lots of stories told, and a few pops drank.
Oh and btw (frank) THE OILERS, go Stars go!

Some good conversation tonight boys!

It cant be overstated what the 2024 draft means to the future of this team.
At # 9 we will draft the best prospect we've had since drafting Chucky in 2016.
I also think Marky, other vets, retained $ and our picks after #9 will be in play with an eye on adding another pick in the top 11 (thinking Utah, Ott, NJ, Buff are targets).

Would love to know what NJ was officially offering for Marky at the deadline.

Last off season many of us were concerned about team toughness and well....we were right and that MUST change with the young lineup we will ice again next year.
Xhekaj & Jeannot both would be ideal!

Some good conversation tonight boys!

It cant be overstated what the 2024 draft means to the future of this team.
At # 9 we will draft the best prospect we've had since drafting Chucky in 2016.
I also think Marky, other vets, retained $ and our picks after #9 will be in play with an eye on adding another pick in the top 11 (thinking Utah, Ott, NJ, Buff are targets).

Would love to know what NJ was officially offering for Marky at the deadline.

Last off season many of us were concerned about team toughness and well....we were right and that MUST change with the young lineup we will ice again next year.
Xhekaj & Jeannot both would be ideal!
- DEDDIE

Word on the Athletic was the deal was for the Jersey 1st & Holtz & Flames would have to do some salary to eat some salary on Markstrom. Conroy was trying to get Mercer instead. Boys on the Athletic think its a pretty simple fix now, the #10 for Marky with no salary retention. I would do that deal but Im sure there will be other suitors for Markstrom, especially after Ullmark moves somewhere.

Thanks Trev well done!!

Thank you Trevor...GDG

Word on the Athletic was the deal was for the Jersey 1st & Holtz & Flames would have to do some salary to eat some salary on Markstrom. Conroy was trying to get Mercer instead. Boys on the Athletic think its a pretty simple fix now, the #10 for Marky with no salary retention. I would do that deal but Im sure there will be other suitors for Markstrom, especially after Ullmark moves somewhere.
- Kevin R

There's very little chance that Markstrom will be moved unless he's asked for a trade. He's publically said they would be active in free agency and that he wants to be competitive next year. He's assured his veterans that they will try and improve the team for next season. He wants to follow Dallas' model. Trading Markstrom goes against all of that. How do you assure your veterans that you're going to try and

Someone will have to blow his socks off to get him to approach Markstrom about a trade again; the tenth pick alone isn't nearly enough.

Word on the Athletic was the deal was for the Jersey 1st & Holtz & Flames would have to do some salary to eat some salary on Markstrom. Conroy was trying to get Mercer instead. Boys on the Athletic think its a pretty simple fix now, the #10 for Marky with no salary retention. I would do that deal but Im sure there will be other suitors for Markstrom, especially after Ullmark moves somewhere.
- Kevin R

If # 10 is on the table with no retention I make that deal all day.
I think its fair value for Marky and the last thing the Flames want is another year of mediocrity that would result in them surrendering their 2025 1st to the Habs!

I also think Marky would be good with being dealt to a contender as he's not dumb enough to think this team can contend next year even if they are active in free agency!

There's very little chance that Markstrom will be moved unless he's asked for a trade. He's publically said they would be active in free agency and that he wants to be competitive next year. He's assured his veterans that they will try and improve the team for next season. He wants to follow Dallas' model. Trading Markstrom goes against all of that. How do you assure your veterans that you're going to try and

Someone will have to blow his socks off to get him to approach Markstrom about a trade again; the tenth pick alone isn't nearly enough.
- Squeaky

Call it whatever you want but this retool is actually a rebuild when you trade 2/3's your core away at 1 TDL. Fine, if you even want to call it a retool, you dont instal new hardwood & put new granite countertops until you gutted & prepped the existing space. Even a retool is going to take a few years & to think other is pure pipe dreaming. Markstrom's contract will be done by the time we are in a position to even think to acquire free agents to take the next step to contending. Sorry but you are way off.
I disagree, that 10th overall along with our 9th overall is going to give us 2 bluechip pieces to set us on our path back to contending in a few years.

Right now we have maybe 2 top 4 Dmen at best, you are not about to add 2 top 4 D in July that are capable of contending for a cup. We technically dont have a top 1C & Kadri at 33 & Backlund at 35 are hardly top 16 #2 centres. No ones gifting us a top 2 centre, we'll have to draft one.

Quite frankly, you are one of the few Flames fans I have come across drinking this quick retool in a year. Lol Like the Aerosmith song Dream On

Hey wasn’t meant as a slam, just a honest reply to Duran. Truth is I check into CHN and sometimes nothing changes, other times there’s 2 or 3 new articles. I agree it’s the dark days of the season and not a lot to report on. I don’t envy anyone that has to provide content at this time of year.
On the Flames and their future, Conroy can say whatever ownership wants to hear. We all know this team is not going to be competitive for the next 3 -4 years. Fluff it over all they want but the truth is unless we draft a couple years at top 5 we’re relying on luck to be successful. No one is handing us star players, build through the draft and make some smart trades when the team is ready.
For me, I don’t want them to sign any older players long term right now. I’d rather watch Connie dismantle the roster and secure more picks or young prospects.
Treliving really screwed the franchise over trying to build a competitor. Don’t get me wrong, he made some great picks and some awesome trades but there’s also a lot of mistakes along the way. Numerous coaches, numerous goalies, crappy ufa signings, giving up draft picks at the wrong time. Letting grit and sandpaper walk away for nothing, the Bennett fiasco, alienation of Tkachuk, the list goes on.
Regardless Trevor, do appreciate your insight, you provide a lot on Flames info that we don’t get to hear unless you write about it. Take some time for yourself and enjoy the people around you. I’m doing that this weekend, going fishing with some buddies from my youth as well as some new good friends. There wil be lots of stories told, and a few pops drank.
Oh and btw (frank) THE OILERS, go Stars go!

No slam taken! Just kinda fleshing things out. Sounds like a great weekend! Good advice too!

The only older player I want to see signed is Mitch McLain. He’s up for a new contract this offseason. A two-way would be ideal. Maybe Tanev too!

Call it whatever you want but this retool is actually a rebuild when you trade 2/3's your core away at 1 TDL. Fine, if you even want to call it a retool, you dont instal new hardwood & put new granite countertops until you gutted & prepped the existing space. Even a retool is going to take a few years & to think other is pure pipe dreaming. Markstrom's contract will be done by the time we are in a position to even think to acquire free agents to take the next step to contending. Sorry but you are way off.
I disagree, that 10th overall along with our 9th overall is going to give us 2 bluechip pieces to set us on our path back to contending in a few years.

Right now we have maybe 2 top 4 Dmen at best, you are not about to add 2 top 4 D in July that are capable of contending for a cup. We technically dont have a top 1C & Kadri at 33 & Backlund at 35 are hardly top 16 #2 centres. No ones gifting us a top 2 centre, we'll have to draft one.

Quite frankly, you are one of the few Flames fans I have come across drinking this quick retool in a year. Lol Like the Aerosmith song Dream On
- Kevin R

You forgot to drop the mike.

If # 10 is on the table with no retention I make that deal all day.
I think its fair value for Marky and the last thing the Flames want is another year of mediocrity that would result in them surrendering their 2025 1st to the Habs!

I also think Marky would be good with being dealt to a contender as he's not dumb enough to think this team can contend next year even if they are active in free agency!
- DEDDIE

Agreed many reasons to be all over that deal if its on the table. If Conroy can get anything added to it would be a huge bonus.

You forgot to drop the mike.
- DEDDIE

Call it whatever you want but this retool is actually a rebuild when you trade 2/3's your core away at 1 TDL. Fine, if you even want to call it a retool, you dont instal new hardwood & put new granite countertops until you gutted & prepped the existing space. Even a retool is going to take a few years & to think other is pure pipe dreaming. Markstrom's contract will be done by the time we are in a position to even think to acquire free agents to take the next step to contending. Sorry but you are way off.
I disagree, that 10th overall along with our 9th overall is going to give us 2 bluechip pieces to set us on our path back to contending in a few years.

Right now we have maybe 2 top 4 Dmen at best, you are not about to add 2 top 4 D in July that are capable of contending for a cup. We technically dont have a top 1C & Kadri at 33 & Backlund at 35 are hardly top 16 #2 centres. No ones gifting us a top 2 centre, we'll have to draft one.

Quite frankly, you are one of the few Flames fans I have come across drinking this quick retool in a year. Lol Like the Aerosmith song Dream On
- Kevin R

I've stated on here ad nauseum that I don't agree with how Conroy's been running the team since he took over and that they need to be doing a rebuild. I've been pushing for a rebuild way more than most people. I haven't liked any of the trades because he was focused on getting back pieces that could immediately help the team. I think Kuzmenko and Sharangovich should be traded yesterday. Unfortunately, I have no say in their decisions.

Conroy believes they can be competitive next year and has said as much. Kadri said that management assured him they were going to try and be competitive next year. Trading Markstrom goes against that.

Agreed many reasons to be all over that deal if its on the table. If Conroy can get anything added to it would be a huge bonus.
- Kevin R

He might get Jake Allen back in the deal but we won’t see Holtz which is too bad.

He might get Jake Allen back in the deal but we won’t see Holtz which is too bad.
- K-man25

Yeah but had we traded Marky to them at the TDL, I would doubt they would have been picking 10th, they may have even made the playoffs. So there is that.

Yeah but had we traded Marky to them at the TDL, I would doubt they would have been picking 10th, they may have even made the playoffs. So there is that.
- Kevin R

Sooo, reports out both Guadreu and Tkachuk wanted to resign with Calgary. Surrrre they say that now. On another note sine Lindholm is gone and wore an A, should they give it to Kadri???

Oilers moving on. How we all feeling?

Oilers moving on. How we all feeling?
- Trevor_Neufeld_

Go Florida!
We need a generational player! Oilers have 2!

Oilers moving on. How we all feeling?
- Trevor_Neufeld_

Chucky & Benny are our last hope!

Sooo, reports out both Guadreu and Tkachuk wanted to resign with Calgary. Surrrre they say that now. On another note sine Lindholm is gone and wore an A, should they give it to Kadri???
- stoops2u

That's not new news. Tkachuk wanted to sign long term when they gave him the three year deal, but the team was hesitant about the number he was asking and would have had to make changes to get the cap to work. Gaudreau wanted to stay, his wife didn't. It also didn't help that the team and both players were pretty bad the year before they had the career year so it didn't really make a lot of sense to make a major long term commitment for either side at the time.