Quote:
Originally Posted by Enoch Root
The only thing that matters in this league is results. And the results aren't where they should be, given the talent on the team. Is that on the players? Yes, they have a job to do, and I don't think anyone could be happy with what we are seeing from them right now.
But it is also on the coaches and management. It is their job to make it work. And, without getting into the details of lineups and systems, there are two fundamental things that are pretty indisputable with the team right now, IMO:
1) the current style of play doesn't suit the personnel (other than Lucic and Mangiapane, who would probably look good in any system)
2) other teams are making adjustments to what the Flames are doing, but the Flames don't appear to be making adjustments of their own. The 3rd period line blender last night illustrates that the couching staff is just guessing at this point (so does the handling of Markstrom - my wife looked up and casually made the correct call and she wasn't even paying attention to the game)
I think those issues are pretty clear - we are seeing them both on a nightly basis. And for me, that alone is enough to say that changes have to be made.
This is speculation, but the players look like they don't believe, IMO.
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I think I'm there too...
Making changes this season is going to be hard, with travel/covid bull####. But I think we are there.
1. Move Bennett, 960 is right, lose the deal if you have to, move him.
2. Be honest about the character makeup of the room. If that means moving a Monahan or a Giordano, move him. Be ruthless.
3. Be prepared to play the young guys and lose. Effort and commitment matters.
4. Start healthy scratching top guys if the don't play. If Tkachuk is pouting put him in the rafters for a game or five.
Changes have to happen. Geoff, his team, and Tre should be on a call this AM building a plan.
This series, and especially last night, demand an immediate response.
Saturday night has the potential to be a ####ing train wreck. I'm seriously considering not even turning the game on. I don't want to watch the Oilers put up an 8 or 9 on the Flames, and that's realistic at this point.