Hard to argue with numbers and facts. Teams that are perennial losers are in the bottom half of the league in both PP and PK, so when you are last in the league you will be in the bottom 5 consistently in the standings as well.
Suggestions have to include your talent on the PP as well as strategy (coaching) and execution. Hard to argue that all 3 are factors in these abysmal results.
The PK is different as talent is not a major factor. Hockey smarts and skating ability are critical components and speed and quickness can compensate for being caught out of position, however goaltending is also a large factor on the PK. You cannot overlook the PK strategy and the players execution.
I would also point out that when you practice against the worst PP and PK on a regular basis, your practice time is not really well spent...you're going against the worst every practice, so how are you improving or emulating your competition in a game situation?
Stockton is currently 18.2% on the PP good 14th in the AHL. Their PK percentage is currently at 87.5% good for 7th in the AHL. Pretty decent numbers in a 30 team league compared to the big club. Just for numbers sake, the Heat are 13th in the league standings, but because of the disparity in number of games played the Heat currently are 4th in the league with a .708 win percentage.
Why does this matter? Different league, different players, different coaches...all true, but the same organization, so the Heat are definitely better at special teams than the Flames. It's not a organizational problem top down, however it is really clear that the Flames need to get better on special teams. Staying the course with the same strategies, players seeing time on the PP and PK, as well as execution will yield the same consistently dreadful results.
The leaders and decision makers in the Flames organization need to demand some changes as staying the course will repeat the lack of success in the crucial areas of special teams.
|