if you don't have truly elite skaters, the team can still be better than the sum of its parts with an elite coach (see Trotz). yes there's that argument that a rather large coaching rotation hasn't made a difference with this core, but my argument continues to be we haven't yet tried that elite coach with a proven NHL pedigree.
Hartley - most recent success in 2001 prior to Flames, hasn't been in NHL since
Gully - first HC gig, not a HC now
Peters - mediocre results with Carolina, 50 games of awesome, out of NHL
Ward - first HC gig
which of the above screams "see! even this Scotty Bowman-like leader couldn't get them to play consistently!". it's the one final variable that in my opinion hasn't been tried yet. if a Boudreau or Gallant came in and it was still same old Flames, then I would definitely throw in the towel on this group and hit the detonator.
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