Things just aren't getting better at all.
Flames dropped a spot - now tied for 2nd last in the league with Vancouver (who own the tie-breaker so far, and have a game in hand). They are up 1 point over Arizona, but Arizona has 2 games in hand. The upcoming game should be interesting - might end up being the 'battle of the basement'.
Team has no offence.
Team has no defence.
Team has a terrible PP.
Team has a terrible PK.
Hartley was canned for a few of the reasons above, but things are actually worse now. This is not a 'Hartley shouldn't have been fired' or a 'Bring Hartley back' point. My point is, that one coach who got this team into the playoffs and into the 2nd round, winning the Jack Adams while doing so, got canned after a disappointing season. One season. The team showed progress through that time up until last season, and were widely lauded for their hard working identity. He got sacked.
With that in mind, how much rope does Gulutzan have? There is no way he gets fired yet, but that pressure must be building up. Things are worse than they were last season, and this team is without question a 'better' team than last year, especially in net.
If the Flames are still bottom 3 he has to be gone around January, I would guess. I don't see the point of holding onto him all year if the Flames are in that spot by then. If they are bottom 10 but 'climbing' and showing improvement at least, then I say let him ride the year and see how the 2nd half does.
Playoffs are realistically out of reach. They COULD still make it, but it would take quite the run, and this team doesn't have the horses yet. Playoffs are gone in my mind. For me, it is all about getting this team playing well, getting the players more experience and developing well. I am not going to expect wins any longer - season is lost, so for my own sanity, I have to switch my expectations up and think: "development year" again. Tkachuk and Kulak are the only young players who have shown strides this year (and Tkachuk.. well, I am being generous is saying he is showing strides, as this is his first season and we don't know if he is better or worse since we don't have anything to compare it to). Ferland is better I guess too.
Flames are the worst team in the NHL by points percentage. They should not be the worst team in the NHL. This is awful. This is getting worse. My bet from what I am seeing is that Gulutzan is removed in early January. Cameron and Jerard have to go too.
We can question Gelinas - Flames had a horrible start to their PP last year too, but if I am not mistaken, removing the first month from last season and they were a top 10 PP, were they not? Get rid of Gelinas or promote him to head interim head coach. Or Huska. Heck, make Conroy the coach. Maybe make Smid the coach. I don't think the points percentage would get much worse, would it?
This team is not winning. This team is not fun to watch. This team is also not seemingly helping the youth and future core take a step forward. There are no silver linings as far as I can tell. There are no available coaches that I would want either. Tough season to digest so far.
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