Flames have been looking better 5vs5 in the last segment of games - not just in terms of CORSI (lol), but in actually generating sustained pressure and better shots from higher danger areas.
The first couple of segments (let's arbitrarily call a segment a 5 game stretch) they were only good on CORSI. They would have sustained pressure at times, but nothing SEEMED too dangerous.
That's an improvement. Question is, will it continue to improve? Flatten-out? Was it just 'lucky' lately? Running into teams that are under-performing themselves? Time will tell.
I still stand by that Gulutzan has earned the right to coach for another 10 games (and that right is just in my own mind - no idea if Treliving agrees or disagrees, or whatever his mindset is). I am interested to see where he takes this team now, though I have some very huge reservations and really still don't have much confidence in his abilities thus far.
I have personally written this season off as far as playoffs go - though the Flames are rather lucky being in the division they are and being within striking distance still. All I want to see is improvements.
I will want Gulutzan to stay on as a head coach next year if:
1) The 'core' of this team looks like they are progressing in their game
2) The team has seemingly corrected the PK and PP issues and, erasing the first 2-3 months of the season from the stats, are at least middle of the pack in that area (in my mind, having 'fixed' the issues, but I would expect the overall total stats would remain terrible)
3) Getting the defence to play good defence
4) This team will at least be close to the playoffs - in the pack anyways, not in the pack(s) far from playoffs
If he hasn't fixed the above, I would hope that Treliving tries another coach next season - hopefully sooner than that to better prepare this team. It doesn't have to come at the midpoint of the season, but it would be nice to get a coach in that can see firsthand what the possible issues this squad has, and take the summer to really figure things out.
All of this is pretty meaningless if there are no experienced coaches with a good track record available. I am not sure I want to bring in another rookie coach and start from scratch again, except maybe if it is Nate Leaman (and in this case, I fully admit to me perhaps irrationally and nostalgically comparing him to Bob Johnson).
I don't see anyone available that I would consider would be a coach I would want for 2-3 years. I am not looking for 'better than Gulutzan', but rather the next coach for the next few years. Going through a bunch of coaches will only further hurt the team, IMO.
What I do wish is that, unless Gulutzan has this team completely turned around and performing well (including all the points above), is that Treliving acts quickly if someone with very good qualifications becomes available during the season. Let's say Quenneville gets axed in Chicago, that the Flames swoop in right away. Something like that (yeah, not going to happen, but you get the idea). This team has had less competent coaches than I can count on one hand since they moved to Calgary.
We have been lucky to see what good coaches can do here:
1) Badger Bob and his '7 point plan' on defeating the Oilers - the juggernaut of the NHL at the time.
2) Darryl Sutter taking a rag-tag bunch of scrubs and got them playing like a well-oiled machine all the way to the finals.
3) Hartley - who is both loved and hated on these boards - unexpectedly got this rebuilding squad to play as a team into the 2nd round of the playoffs
4) Crisp for winning the cup - but that was such a veteran and well-coached team from Johnson's years, but he won the cup.
Conversely, we have seen what a terrible professional coach can do - Greg Gilbert, Don Hay (who was the next 'up and coming' guy out of Junior), and the like. Even a Keenan who seemed to be semi-retired here.
Gulutzan MIGHT still end up a good coach, but he hasn't exactly inspired much confidence. This team is still making a tonne of boneheaded decisions, is putrid on special teams, and I have yet to see a game where everyone is on the same page and performing well. The last point is what I notice good coaches getting out of their teams - getting all the lines and defensive pairings playing well.
That is why I like Hartley - call that year a fluke if you like, but all 4 lines and all 3 defensive pairings were playing well. Gulutzan hasn't improved over Hartley thus far - and I don't care about advanced stats, it is the results and the bone-headed defensive plays that happen that I care about - but hopefully there will be an improvement soon.
Just hoping that Treliving has his hand ready over the 'eject' button if a well-respected and established coach with a proven track record (and Stanley cup wins?? Too much to ask??) becomes available.
|