Quote:
Originally Posted by Flash Walken
The last thing the flames need is a shake up.
They need a steady hand to see this season through without franchise altering decisions.
This isn't a playoff team, stay the course, continue with the process, move assets for a good return at the deadline, continue team building.
Firing the coach right now would be idiotic, this team was going nowhere that mattered at the start of the season no matter who was at the helm.
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Oh pffffft.
Wanna bet under another year of Hartley they would be at least 8 points higher at this juncture? (I mean firstly, his Flames wouldn't get swept by the Oilers, not the coach that absolutely dominated that team in both rinks)
It's partly on the players and make up of the team, but don't pretend that coaching doesn't matter. We've seen more resilience in games and offensive production from these same players 12 months ago and 24 months ago. They didn't suddenly lose that ability. It also falls on the guy(s) telling them what to do, and how to play. The ones mentoring the young players through their adversities.
Sutter, Boudreau, hell Torts would get this team up for games better than Gulutzan has. There would be more output, and therefore more games tied up to snag an extra point or at least less games lost 20 minutes into them.
They've had no comebacks larger than a goal. I don't think they've scored a single goal with the empty net. How many times under Hartley did they make that happen? That's confidence, that's belief. And that comes from a coach and a culture. The players have the tools, even the ones on this team now, but the coach has to guide them to wield them and maximize their output. To know their players strengths, and also know how to match up best against specific opponents.
Gulutzan does not know how to get the most out of these particular players and it's quite plain to see.
You're telling me the Blue Jackets under any coach would thrive the way they have this season? That their roster is unquestionably tops in the league-good? If the answer is no (or even not a resounding yes) then surely you can't say the opposite of the Flames.