Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post - Would you make a midseason coaching change to try to salvage playoff hopes?

djsFlames · 01-22-2017, 11:11 PM

Simple question. Is this something that could help spark a team? Or do you believe it's more harmful than good. There are examples out there where it has turned a team around that was underperforming (which seems to be the case with the Flames) and others where it's left them probably worse off, while not settling well with the team and possibly hurting the reputation of the organization - the most recent example being in Florida.

If the Flames have a sub .500 road trip and can't shake their motivation and execution issues, falling out of a playoff spot for the first time since Dec 6, would you as GM make a coaching change in an effort to salvage the season and spark the team? Knowing the risks that such a move poses.

Or would people see it as too knee-jerk of a reaction, and would rather the Flames be given patience while keeping with the "process", and just continue to work out the bugs of the system GG has implemented, playoffs or not?

The latter I am guessing is Treliving's current MO. I wonder when/if that changes and how long of a leash this coach has given that we're now on year 4 of this rebuild. Surely his tenure as GM may come into question if the Flames once again fail to make the post-season, after being in the fold at the half way mark.

I personally would make the move if there aren't signs of success with the current system and these players before the ASB. 15-20 games is premature. 50-60 games I believe is adequate, given how much the core of the team has fallen from last season. If this were a case of 'sophomore slumps' and merely confidence issues, I highly doubt we would see it coinciding with this many top players at once. I think these players do not believe in the system and cannot thrive creatively within it. And because this appears to be evident, I would opt to make some sort of change behind the bench. This team is capable of better and we have seen it from this same roster. And while I don't think this team is deserving of a playoff spot given their overall performance, they are in one and the season can be salvaged yet with a change in work ethic and energy, and I don't believe that that will come in time under Gulutzan.

Anyway, where would you stand on such a decision if that's where the Flames find themselves come January 26th?

01-22-2017, 11:11 PM	#1
djsFlames Lifetime Suspension Join Date: Jun 2012 Exp:	Would you make a midseason coaching change to try to salvage playoff hopes? Simple question. Is this something that could help spark a team? Or do you believe it's more harmful than good. There are examples out there where it has turned a team around that was underperforming (which seems to be the case with the Flames) and others where it's left them probably worse off, while not settling well with the team and possibly hurting the reputation of the organization - the most recent example being in Florida. If the Flames have a sub .500 road trip and can't shake their motivation and execution issues, falling out of a playoff spot for the first time since Dec 6, would you as GM make a coaching change in an effort to salvage the season and spark the team? Knowing the risks that such a move poses. Or would people see it as too knee-jerk of a reaction, and would rather the Flames be given patience while keeping with the "process", and just continue to work out the bugs of the system GG has implemented, playoffs or not? The latter I am guessing is Treliving's current MO. I wonder when/if that changes and how long of a leash this coach has given that we're now on year 4 of this rebuild. Surely his tenure as GM may come into question if the Flames once again fail to make the post-season, after being in the fold at the half way mark. I personally would make the move if there aren't signs of success with the current system and these players before the ASB. 15-20 games is premature. 50-60 games I believe is adequate, given how much the core of the team has fallen from last season. If this were a case of 'sophomore slumps' and merely confidence issues, I highly doubt we would see it coinciding with this many top players at once. I think these players do not believe in the system and cannot thrive creatively within it. And because this appears to be evident, I would opt to make some sort of change behind the bench. This team is capable of better and we have seen it from this same roster. And while I don't think this team is deserving of a playoff spot given their overall performance, they are in one and the season can be salvaged yet with a change in work ethic and energy, and I don't believe that that will come in time under Gulutzan. Anyway, where would you stand on such a decision if that's where the Flames find themselves come January 26th?