Quote:
Originally Posted by Wild GM
Here is why I defend him
- I largely view a lot of the criticism to be based on anecdotal evidence, hearsay and narratives that are poorly supported but people have just chosen to believe.
- As an extension of this, I view this to be a witch hunt and scape goatism. I’m not a fan of that. It reminds a lot of what happened to Playfair who I viewed as a good coach not given a fair shake
- I think that coaches get too much blame overall. I’m of the view that it is on the players to execute. Coaches are the easy one to blame so they take it
- I value stability within key roles and think that teams that are changing coaches and GMs constantly suffer because of it. The Flames included.
- I think there are some fair criticisms of GG, namely player usage and inability to figure out, with his ACs special teams, which are vital to success in the NHL now. I’m not disagreeing on those points
- I really get frustrated when people slam a coach over things like facial expressions, looking down on the bench, etc. I think all of that is unfair.
- Overall in my view I see a team that generally has outplayed other teams most nights, and the underlying metrics support this. Their inability to finish though is both a combination of bad luck, and lack of skill within the forwards. Neither I can blame GG for. The team SHOULD be better than its record based on the metrics and eye test
- That being said, I also don’t think the team is distinctly more talented than most other teams. The Smith injury has set them back, but in general they are tracking to finish close to where I thought they would
Those are all my opinions, and what I struggle with is how the other side gets so upset or can’t even grasp that someone may not share the view that GG is the primary cause of the performance. Both sides have fair points to make.
In my view if they miss the playoffs you have to evaluate the coach, but you also need to evaluate the make up of the team and the roster. Dumping the coach while not addressing the clear gaps in the line up would be foolish.
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It is definitely not all on GG but he has to be the leader of this team. The underlying metrics say this team is better than their record? Well you know what doesn’t say they are better than their record? Their record.
All that matters is winning, especially at this time of year.
As Al Davis said «#just win baby#» and unfortunately this team doesn’t do that for myriad reasons including a coach who doesn’t adapt his game tactics in game until it’s too late and the other team has also changed it up, and who insists on using Troy Brouwer in every situation possible (which is absolutely insane if you are trying the same thing with him and expecting something other than what you’ve gotten)
It’s those types of stubborn decisions that are driving the fire GG argument and they are valid
Yes the players aren’t playing great but is that because GGs system is too complex? I honestly don’t know...