Quote:
Originally Posted by Classic_Sniper
Well I suppose if Gulutzan was such a gargantuan issue with keeping the bottom 6 from scoring, then why are so many players who were here last year on pace to produce virtually the exact same number they had last season despite the upgrades? If what you’re saying is true, then why aren’t more of these guys on pace to crush their previous totals under that terrible Gulutzan?
I don’t like to blame coaches nor do I like to pump up their tires because they can only do so much in a fast paced, read and react game like hockey. But even Treliving felt the same way at the end of the season since he rid himself of so many players and replaced them with others. But it’s still currently an issue with this team despite a new coach and new players. This team is still very top heavy and still rely too much on a few players to win every game. When the Fab 5 doesn’t score, this generally loses and that’s not a good recipe for the playoffs.
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For what it is worth, the forwards outside the top 6 goal scorers are on pace for a 33 percent improvement this year. Bottom six scoring is still a factor in my opinion, as the Flames are only on pace for 60 goals out of those forwards, but there is a marked improvement this year. Probably a credit to coaching as the additions (Neal) have brought nothing. But Bennett is on pace for more goals, Frolik is on pace for more goals, Hathaway is on pace for more goals.
Hathaway is on pace to double his total from last year on a goals per game basis.
Bennett is on pace for a 25 percent improvement.
Only guy who is on pace to score less is Jankowski, although he is on pace for the same number of points.
The guys that are still here that traditionally make up the bottom 6 are doing better this year as a generalized statement.
On the subject of Smith though, he is terrible and will not improve in my opinion. I hope after failing 3 times we have given up on getting old men to man the pipes, maybe we should get a goalie that was not able to legally drink at the start of this millennium.