[Max Cow Disease]

I try to avoid hopping on the "crappy systems" bandwagon, because I have no idea what the system is, and am not in a position to really make educated judgements. Without any insight on the specifics of Gulutzan's X's and O's, it's hard to sit here and pin it on that specifically, or on something like his inability to motivate the players. I'm definitely not prepared to say that he coaches a "boring" game of hockey per se, because I recall being fairly satisfied by the on-ice product during the periods of time that the team was doing well, including during the Anaheim series last year. During that series, there were long stretches where the Flames were taking it to the Ducks and playing hockey that was many multitudes more exciting than anything Brent Sutter ever managed, yet poor goaltending ultimately sold us completely down the creek.

That said, it's completely true to say that regardless of whether or not the hockey is boring or not, or whether the system is sound or not, the results currently aren't there. I don't have my Gulutzan pitchfork out just yet and am still waiting to see if the team's going to round a corner somewhat soon, but it certainly must be true that the ice he's skating around on is getting thinner as time goes by. I hope it does start to get on the right track, because the flashes we've seen from the team when they do well are those of a squad that's confident, effective, and structured (as opposed to, say, the pond hockey of the Hartley era).