Quote:
Originally Posted by Flames Fan, Ph.D.
Gulutzan's game plan has been found out by the league imo. All of the mandatory plays that he seems to force, especially in the defensive zone, have likely been fully game planned this year by opposition coaches.
I really think a lack of confidence in the coach can be a backbreaker, especially in a sport like hockey where the coach is constantly involved. These guys need someone back there that they *think* can help them. Every first goal this team gives up seems to flatten the players, and part of it likely has to do with their distrust in the coach / system.
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To be fair, the Flames outplayed and out chanced teams a lot more this year than last, and that's in my opinion due to him preparing game plans properly and knowing what the other team set up is.
Where it falls apart is making changes when the other team adapts. And motivating more out of your players.
And that's where the lack of confidence had crept it. As you say, players need to think the coach can help them and that they (coaches) have had success before and has preservered through tough patches. He got by last year as a new coach and benefit of the doubt maybe. But after another year and same lack of tactic change and motivational abilities, the trust and confidence words that his guy does know what he's doing, and with no NHL success to back his tactics and techniques up, the players feel out on a limb.
The majority of ln these guys have been in the playoffs twice in the past 5 years, so nothing is brand new experience. They know what it takes physically and mentally and all the intangibles. But they need a leader behind the bench to organize and channel that energy, and motivate and have full trust to have confidence on the ice as players.
It just seems GG has lost the confidence of the room, which usually happens to even the best coaches, but not until year 5 or so.