Quote:
Originally Posted by Locke
I dont know, I'm with troutman on this, killing that Country Club attitude is a big part of where we are today and Hartley was largely responsible for that.
Then you start hearing things like the players 'hated' him. I can deal with the 'not respecting' him because these players arent idiots, if they dont respect him then something is up, but 'hating' him?
Of course they did, everyone hates the boss that makes them work the hardest. That doesnt mean you get rid of him.
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We all know Hartley is the sort of coach who has a short shelf life because of his style - and it grates against players big time. He lasted four years plus a bit in Colorado, four years plus a bit in Atlanta, and now four years in Calgary.
He got a ton out of this team in 2014-15, but it is clear the work ethic wasn't the same this year. If you are management, and you see that the team has plateaued/regressed, and you know that the message is being lost, then this is a logical decision. It has nothing to do with a "country club attitude". Because if that is the case, then the NHL is a collection of 30 country clubs.
I have a lot of respect for Hartley, and I think he is a good coach. But it is clear that he just couldn't get this team moving forward this year. And the "three headed goalie monster" excuse simply doesn't cut it. The Flames could have brought him back next year in the hopes that he can turn it around, but evidently they feel it is better to start the year going in a new direction and when the coaching options are at their highest than risking having to fire a coach who is routinely fired in his fifth season, 20 games in when things are already lost.