Quote:
Originally Posted by bubbsy
Both the gm and the coach should have to answer why this team is a fringe bubble team despite throwing away first and second round picks to shape the roster.
All I kept thinking last night was why, other than the 3rd line, why were 90% of the flames breakouts out of their own zone made to a stationary, or a skating back towards their own zone, forward.
I frigin hate how we have dmen who can move the puck well, yet instead of quick transition once they win back the puck, they have to go deeper into their own zone, play d to d catch for a few minutes before looking up ice.
The team is quite boring to watch, as a result, especially when they lose.
As per the effort, it was embarrassing. Not because it happened but the fact that it feels like every other game at home we see the same thing over and over.
I hope the gm is restricted from making any trades this deadline. Not sure he has a handle on what he has on the roster or what coach is required to build a winner.
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To me, it's these things. People talk about a lack of effort last night, but the effort was there for the most part - they threw 25 hits for example - but the way they play can be coma-inducing.
I knew 5 minutes in that it was one of those nights because you could see that Montreal had the breakout covered. The Flames throw it around to the far winger who is standing still, facing the end boards, and it is so easy for the D to pinch and cut the breakout off because the winger is standing still and has no options.
When they utilize the C properly and create options, and are skating, they are able to breakout and then they are a dangerous (and fun to watch team). But when teams pinch that board play off, and they don't adjust, they lose all their momentum and their flow. And it is painful to watch.
That, combined with the fact that their defensive system, without the puck, is to collapse and cover lanes, instead of attack the puck, results in the merry-go-round of spending entire shifts in their end. If they eventually get the puck, ring it around to the far winger. If the D pinches and shuts it off, the process starts all over again.
The D circling back and playing catch also sucks the life out of their speed and transition game.
And of course, the PP is a black hole of anti-momentum.
For me, those three things are what kill them on home ice. Not only is it frustrating, but it makes for boring hockey.
AND ALL THREE THINGS ARE ON THE COACHES.