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Mike Vernon Can't Play For Calgary

I'M PARTLY TO BLAME ON WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO THE FLAMES THE PAST 6 YEARS
by Pete Montgomery

I will go back to 1995 when I called Doug Risebrough that was the season when the Flames were the favorite in the playoffs, were first in their division and the Sharks where in eighth place. I did not like what the media and coach Dave King were saying about Trever Kidd and how good he was. I noticed a lot of weak spots, so I called the San Jose scouting staff to prove them (the Flames) wrong. Yes, I was doing a little freelance scouting.

Another thing I did not like is that we had the best two power play lines in the league and Dave king changed it at playoff time WHY Dave? So about a week after we lost, I called Risebrough to let him know what I did and the reason I did it. I also blamed the coaching staff for the loss and told him that I thought he had a great scouting staff. My mistake with Dave King.

Then when Al Coates came into the picture and when I tried to tell him what I noticed about Kidd, I guess he thought I was a crazed fan, but NO Coates I was right!!! Remember the playoffs with Chicago? I told you to play Tabby (former Flames netminder, Rick Tabarraci), but you didn't and again we lost four straight and then after that you tore the team apart. Coates and I never did see eye to eye, but I tried to get along and he just wanted to make me look like a crazed Fan.

Now for Mr. Button, don't worry, I've learned from the past and I now know not to try and tell a G.M. what to do. Well, not all the time at least. Here's one little tip for now. I think you better have a good look at your scouting staff. Most of them are from the Coates era. We lost one of the best in the biz in Tommy Thompson (the man who pointed out Morris, Iginla, Samsonov and more). Good eye Tommy. Look at San Jose after they cleaned house and added new scouts.

Sidenotes:
I heard Mike Peca on CTV sports, he was talking about how the people in Buffalo don't understand his position. I think he was speaking about the same hard working people that are making about 40 thousand a year; the same people that are paying Peca. YES we do understand. For all we care, you and your buddy Lindros can go ahead and sit out another season. To any team that picks these players up for more than what they were offered, I will do my freelance scouting again next season and spot your weaknesses. If the overpaid players want to hold us up for ransom, just watch us, the Fans this playoff season. I will have tips on how to beat Colorado and St. Louis. They think they can buy a championship team and at the same time hurt small market teams in Canada? We'll see about that.

The Fan will take over the NHL this playoff season to show the players that want to sit out that it is at the end of the day, the Fan's game again!!! Lets forget the business part of hockey and just have fun again playing hockey.

http://www.nhlfixit.com