Behind The Moves: NHL General Managers Tell how Winners are Built

Brian Burke, the current General Manager and President of the Toronto Maple Leafs. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Link: Behind The Moves: NHL General Managers Tell how Winners are Built:

"The Essential Hockey Read & Reference: 

Behind The Moves: NHL General Managers Tell how Winners are Built 

by Jason Farris (Foreward by Brian Burke)

Like a Datsyukian breakaway clinical finish, author Jason Farris scores and delivers in this must-read hockey book.

First Impression: 

Simply – wow! I was admittedly a little apprehensive when I discovered the book, found that it was only available through the website, and not through conventional means such as Chapters/Amazon. However, upon receiving it one quickly realizes this book vastly exceeds the design and quality of your typical bookstore book. Behind the Moves is in a word – elegant. My particular edition was tailored to the city I’m based in – featuring the Calgary Flames Stanley Cup ring subtly on the cover and highlighting then GM Cliff Fletcher’s name subtly but effectively on the back of the book. It is also signed by Cliff Fletcher. There are actually twelve unique versions of the book. I was immediately enthralled."

Read full article at The Hockey Writers for the book review on one of the most important hockey books in the history of the sport:
http://thehockeywriters.com/essential-hockey-read-behind-the-moves/

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Rotman Leadership Experts Speaker Series: How Winners are Built: Plays & Strategies From the NHL's Top General Managers (Calgary)

Calgary Flames (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Link: University of Toronto - Calgary, AB: Rotman Leadership Experts Speaker Series:

"Calgary, AB:

Rotman Leadership Experts Speaker Series   Date: 6/5/2012 U of T Alumni and Friends are invited to a presentation titled:

How Winners are Built: Plays & Strategies From the NHL's Top General Managers Speakers:

Jay Feaster General Manager, Calgary Flames; former General Manager of Tampa Bay Lightning for 6 years (he guided the Lightning to their first Stanley Cup championship)

Jason Farris Author, Behind the Moves: NHL General Managers Tell How Winners are Built; Executive VP, Dallas Stars; former CEO, Citizens Bank of Canada"

'via Blog this'

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T-Radar: Canada's Teams Trade Talk - Calgary Flames

{Note for an explanation of T-Radar, click here}

Just over 7 days to D-Day (Trade Deadline Day, that is!)

Calgary Flames: GM Darryl Sutter, like a seasoned poker player, likes to keep his cards close to his chest to go with his unreadable poker face. He also tends to like to close any deals well before the trade deadline. Before last week's contest against the Wild, the Flames were realistically only looking to fine tune the roster unless something to good to pass up fell into Sutter's lap. How things can change in a hurray! With breakthrough forward Rene Bourque and his 21 even strength only goals and Mark Giordano, the steady puck-moving defenseman, out for extended periods of time, Sutter's hands may indeed be forced to do more than he first intended. See my post from Feb 12/09 and my views have changed as well. Darryl has previously stated what he has on the farm are better options than what's available. The following week will put that theory to the ultimate test.

Needful Things:

Primary: Top 4 puck-moving d-man - Not only to make up for Gio's injury, but Flames could use help on the recently futile powerplay.

Candidates: Derek Morris (5/10), JM Liles (4/10), Jordan Leopold (4.5/10), Ryan Whitney(2.5/10), Jay Boumeester (1/10), Ville Koistinen (2.5/10)

Secondary need: Top 9 Forward - Most are calling for a top 6 forward, but I think the cost will ultimately be too high. The Flames have guys who can step up into a top 6 role with the likes of Curtis Glencross and Dustin Boyd. Sutter will likely want to have some depth in the event of another unforeseen injury.

Candidates: Chris Neil (6.5/10), Nik Antropov (2/10) {Please NO!}, Steve Sullivan (2.5/10), Olli Jokinen (0.5/10) {Never say never, I guess}, Mark Recchi (2.5/10)

*I don't think he will, but I hope Sutter doesn't sacrifice any youth, especially Mikael Backlund, other than Kris Chucko to make a deal.

Check out articles from The Fourth Period and the Globe and Mail for further insight.

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View From The Broadcast Booth: Peter Maher Honoured On Hockey Day in Canada

Unless you're from Calgary, live here or have lived here, you may not be familiar with the Hall of Fame radio broadcaster, Peter Maher, of each and every Calgary Flames's games."The Voice of the Calgary Flames" has not missed calling the action of a game and has over 2800 games under his belt. The Campbellton, New Brunswick native has mixed emotion today, as today Hockey Day in Canada is being celebrated by CBC from there, the host town this year. Peter stated earlier today:

"Everything is revved up to a fever pitch," Maher said, noting spirits are high despite the cold and snow that's greeted all on hand." I would say this is probably the biggest stage Campbellton has had from a national point of view. It's a great chance for people across Canada to see how passionate Campbellton is for its hockey."

Maher is one of the class acts of the world. Having moved from the East Coast myself 4 years ago, I was elated to discover the FAN960 and with it Peter Maher's broadcasts of Flames games. Having been a rare Flames fan in Newfoundland, I only wish I had discovered this radio network sooner! "Maher in the Morning" is featured every weekday morning on Mike Richards' morning show. He offers up valuable inside information on the Calgary Flames not even The Hockey Spy could uncover! He has great relationships with players, coaches and other media personnel, and is well respected by all.

In Peter's blog yesterday, he reflected on how he got his start in broadcasting in Campbellton, NB. Before the start of CBC's broadcast of the final leg of their coverage of Hockey Day in Canada, they interviewed Maher live. In a touching moment, while Peter was live on air, the folks of Campbellton, NB revealed they had honored Maher by renaming the press box in the arena the "Peter Maher Broadcast Booth".

I recall one hilarious story a couple of weeks back when Mike Richards of the Fan960 had Pete, Jim Peplinski (co-captain of the Flames 1989 Cup-winning team) on at the same time. "Pep" told the story of when they were on the road and at a restaurant when somehow a bunch of the team had Pete in the washroom and got Pete's pants off, while covering his "nether" region with paper towels. Maher, being the great sport he is, came out of the washroom and went up to the saloon style doors to the main part of the restaurant. He, of course, thought, he was covered by paper towels, but this wasn't the case and because of his stature, he was actually exposed to everyone in the restaurant! Needless to say, the restaurant patrons cleared out in less than 5 minutes!

"YEAH BABY!!!" and "You can put it in the win column!!!" are just a couple of Peter Maher's war cries that the Flames Faithful have come to love to hear, and look forward to hearing a lot more of in the future.

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T-Radar: Calgary Flames Trade Talk

The Northwest Division leading Flames have stumbled somewhat as of late losing 5 of there last 6 games (tonight they are leading the Kings 1-0 in the 3rd period). I have the added benefit of listening to the FAN960 on a daily basis getting key insight from the guys there including Peter Maher (radio announcer of Flames games ever since their move from Atlanta) and Mike Rogers (former NHLer and color commentator). GM Darryl Sutter is definitely not in panic mode, however, as we head into the trade deadline. Historically, Sutter does not wait until the last minute to make his moves. History tends to repeat himself , so expect to see the Flames roster set before March 4. What can we expect from Mr. Sutter?

First of all, let me dispel some rumours I've been reading over the past several days:

1. Vinny Lecavelier won't be wearing a Flaming "C" anytime soon as a Yahoo Sports reporter (Ross McKeon) eluded to.
2. Mike Cammalleri will NOT be dealt, even if he is a UFA at season's end.
   
3. Olli Jokinen??? I can't believe I just read a rumour that he might be heading to the Flames. How many years have the Flames' faithful heard this one over the past number of years?
4. Martin Gerber as Kipper's backup - about as much chance as finding a vegetarian pit bull!

In a perfect scenario...

• The Flames would obtain a true #1 centre that Iginla has never quite had (no offence Langkow). Dose of Reality: Not likely to happen given the salary cap room (or lack of) the Flames have. Flames fans: please don't rush out buying those Jokinen or Lecavelier jerseys.
• Jay Boumeester: Welcome to the Rockies! A swift-skating 2-way dman like J-Bo would be a welcome editition. Dose of Reality: Not likely to happen as the Flames would have to give up too much for a guy who is a UFA at season's end and it is unlikely Calgary would be able to resign him.
• Calgary would land a proven backup for Kiprusoff. First I heard the Gerber rumours (see above!). I've also heard talks of bringing in Manny Legace on re-entry waivers from the Blues. The latest is Ray Emery coming over to back up Kipper from the KHL. Dose of Reality: Sutter gave Curtis McElhinney a one-way pro contract in the off-season and the way he talks in interviews, is adamant that he's the guy they want.

More likely to see...
I'm interested to see what moves the Flames will make, and I wouldn't be surprised at all if the players obtained come right out of left field. Sutter is unlikely to make any big splashes. The more likely scenario is to see some tweaking of the roster to ensure forward and defense depth heading into the playoffs.
Some other names associated with the Flames:

• Chris Neil (T-Radar rating of 4/10): Power forward would fit in with the Flames. Senators should be sellers.
• Niclas Havelid (T-Radar rating 2.5/10): The veteran dman would provide depth, but I see him being shipped elsewhere. The Flames have Jim Vandermeer as a 7th dman, with Rhett Warrener likely eligible for the playoffs if needed. There is also Anders Ericsson in the minors - I think he's a great guy, but I personally hope as a Flames fan he doesn't see the Saddledome ice this season. I'd rather see him moved so he can get back to the NHL, just not as a Flame.
• Dan Hamhuis (T-Radar rating 3.5/10): I'd love to see this guy in a Flames' uni, but would likely cost Lombardi + a good prospect.
• Nik Antropov (T-Radar rating 1/10): I can't see Sutter trading for this perennial under-achiever.

I would like to see the Flames add a puck-moving dman who can help the PowerPlay which has been really weak as of late. They might have to dangle someone like Matt Lombardi, who has stepped up his play recently, to obtain such a player. If the cost wasn't too high: Mathieu Schneider or JM Liles might be good a fit.

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