Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post - Is Bob Hartley the right coach for this team?

Calgary4LIfe · 10-07-2013, 12:41 PM

Haven't seen this in the thread yet, but Hartley seemed to really turn Bouwmeester's career around. He was a HUGE disappointment in his first years here under Brent, and as soon as Hartley steps in, Bouwmeester was actually awesome. That was a complete 180.

Ditto for Stajan.

There is also nothing wrong with bringing up the rookies slowly. Hartley is forcing them to compete every night for every minute they get, while balancing playing the vets and not eroding their trade value. That is a tight-rope act if I have ever seen one.

He is going a LONG way to changing the culture on this team. Like I said earlier, he has just the right mix of being a hard-nosed coach forcing them to play hard all the time, and being a player's coach who is positive and supportive. It is the best way to bring up rookies in the lineup, making them accountable for their play, forcing them to compete for minutes, but also sheltering them and supporting their development.

Didn't work out so well for the first-overalls up north when they were just given top line minutes and PP time right off the bat. However, I have no doubt that the minutes for the rookies won't increase as time goes by. Nothing wrong with making them consistently earn it.

Defence is pretty bad. They have Wideman playing the most physical he probably has in years as a symptom of how soft they are at the moment. I like Russel, and he is fights out there, but he is still small. Brodie is not physical. Giordano can only do so much (and he so far is playing close to the best he has in his entire career). Definitely an incompetent bottom pairing.

On top of this, the Flames are forced to see what they have in Ramo (who some people are saying he sucks, but that is WAY too premature) without having a decent #1 to start with and take the pressure off. I bet that in 10-15 games, Ramo will be much stronger. The guy is still adjusting. Once he is more adjusted, I hope Berra plays himself up to the Flames and they can see who they have in him a bit more too. This is a rebuild year, and this is the time the Flames should be seeing what they have in all their positions, not doing something full-######ed and going out signing available goalies. Ramo may indeed be a very solid netminder. Berra too! They aren't at the moment, and the Flames have 4 of a possible 6 points against:

1) A team that boasts one of the most potent offences in the league
2) Another team with a high-octane offence who they have always had trouble against
3) Another team that was very well known last year as being very hard-working with better talent.

Funny how suddenly Hartley is the problem.

10-07-2013, 12:41 PM	#64
Calgary4LIfe Franchise Player Join Date: Jun 2010 Exp:	Haven't seen this in the thread yet, but Hartley seemed to really turn Bouwmeester's career around. He was a HUGE disappointment in his first years here under Brent, and as soon as Hartley steps in, Bouwmeester was actually awesome. That was a complete 180. Ditto for Stajan. There is also nothing wrong with bringing up the rookies slowly. Hartley is forcing them to compete every night for every minute they get, while balancing playing the vets and not eroding their trade value. That is a tight-rope act if I have ever seen one. He is going a LONG way to changing the culture on this team. Like I said earlier, he has just the right mix of being a hard-nosed coach forcing them to play hard all the time, and being a player's coach who is positive and supportive. It is the best way to bring up rookies in the lineup, making them accountable for their play, forcing them to compete for minutes, but also sheltering them and supporting their development. Didn't work out so well for the first-overalls up north when they were just given top line minutes and PP time right off the bat. However, I have no doubt that the minutes for the rookies won't increase as time goes by. Nothing wrong with making them consistently earn it. Defence is pretty bad. They have Wideman playing the most physical he probably has in years as a symptom of how soft they are at the moment. I like Russel, and he is fights out there, but he is still small. Brodie is not physical. Giordano can only do so much (and he so far is playing close to the best he has in his entire career). Definitely an incompetent bottom pairing. On top of this, the Flames are forced to see what they have in Ramo (who some people are saying he sucks, but that is WAY too premature) without having a decent #1 to start with and take the pressure off. I bet that in 10-15 games, Ramo will be much stronger. The guy is still adjusting. Once he is more adjusted, I hope Berra plays himself up to the Flames and they can see who they have in him a bit more too. This is a rebuild year, and this is the time the Flames should be seeing what they have in all their positions, not doing something full-######ed and going out signing available goalies. Ramo may indeed be a very solid netminder. Berra too! They aren't at the moment, and the Flames have 4 of a possible 6 points against: 1) A team that boasts one of the most potent offences in the league 2) Another team with a high-octane offence who they have always had trouble against 3) Another team that was very well known last year as being very hard-working with better talent. Funny how suddenly Hartley is the problem.