[DeluxeMoustache]

Hartley is described by some as having 3 horrible seasons and one lucky one.

Others see him as the guy that took over the country club that was long in the tooth, and the first two years were instilling accountability and blowing it up. The third year was overachieving with work ethic, speed, and motivation. The 4th year he got out of the gate with the three headed goalie issue, Brodie out, Gio just back from a major injury and Hamilton taking time to adjust. They got off to a hideous start, and dug a hole they could not climb out of, but were looking good until Ramo got hurt.

I just don’t see how you can ignore the team Hartley had to work with and put it all on him.

The last two times coaches have been brought in to instill structure, it was Brent who killed a perennial playoff team, and now Gully, who has a team that should be methodical but is devoid of that killer instinct.

Treliving is wrapping up his 4th year. Gulutzan is his guy and Gulutzan has laid an egg this year.

Say what you will about Feaster and his two almost blunders (ROR and Richards) but his prospect cupboard when he showed up was led by Tim Erixon. They were preaching hockey IQ and speed. Feaster made some good draft choices and trades and in just over 2 years blew it up and progressed the rebuild.

And Treliving at the trade deadline of his 4th year, when you would think the tinkering should be completing, gets Chris Stewart. Why? The guy is 6 years removed from a good season, is an advanced stats disaster and was thrown on the scrap heap by his old team.

A few years ago, it was always earned, never given. The team was fast and had guys in the bottom 6 like Jooris playing over his head, and a guy like speedy Paul Byron. Now there is no discernible identity, and a pile of post apex reclamation projects stacking up.

I used to be able to tell people outside of Calgary why they should watch the Flames and there were reasons other than Johnny Gaudreau. Now I can’t think of any.