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Calgary4LIfe · 01-04-2014, 06:26 PM

I think it is very difficult to speculate on who may take over until the team hires a GM (GM's like to hire people they are familiar with usually) and who may be available at that time.

I don't think there is any coach that is available now that I would feel would be an upgrade on Hartley. I don't think Hartley is a bad coach at all, and would prefer some stability back there behind the bench for a while. If there is a huge upgrade available in the off-season, and it is someone that the new GM is really comfortable with, then sure. Otherwise, I really think Hartley has thus far been really good, and I say this as really hoping that he wouldn't have been the coach hired in the first place.

I think he has done a lot with what he has been given, and is a positive move forward in the Flames creating an identity. Too many coaching changes coupled with roster changes sometimes gets teams a bit mixed-up (like the Flames the last 10 years almost). I like what Hartley preaches. As for the Flames looking like a mess in their own zone - I would bet most rebuilding teams do. Watch a few Edmonton games, or Buffalo games, or even Florida games, and you can see a very real difference in how the players play the game, and how the team competes, especially in their own zone. You can't expect them to be like LA, or Phoenix, or Chicago in their own zones. They are going to look bad on defence, as it is the most difficult area to coach in and learn at the NHL level.

01-04-2014, 06:26 PM	#59
Calgary4LIfe Franchise Player Join Date: Jun 2010 Exp:	I think it is very difficult to speculate on who may take over until the team hires a GM (GM's like to hire people they are familiar with usually) and who may be available at that time. I don't think there is any coach that is available now that I would feel would be an upgrade on Hartley. I don't think Hartley is a bad coach at all, and would prefer some stability back there behind the bench for a while. If there is a huge upgrade available in the off-season, and it is someone that the new GM is really comfortable with, then sure. Otherwise, I really think Hartley has thus far been really good, and I say this as really hoping that he wouldn't have been the coach hired in the first place. I think he has done a lot with what he has been given, and is a positive move forward in the Flames creating an identity. Too many coaching changes coupled with roster changes sometimes gets teams a bit mixed-up (like the Flames the last 10 years almost). I like what Hartley preaches. As for the Flames looking like a mess in their own zone - I would bet most rebuilding teams do. Watch a few Edmonton games, or Buffalo games, or even Florida games, and you can see a very real difference in how the players play the game, and how the team competes, especially in their own zone. You can't expect them to be like LA, or Phoenix, or Chicago in their own zones. They are going to look bad on defence, as it is the most difficult area to coach in and learn at the NHL level.