Quote:
Originally Posted by TheScorpion
The unwillingness to let guys be creative or cheat for offence whatsoever when you're smarting for goals.
|
What evidence do you use to pinpoint this is on the coach and not on the players. Many players on the flames had career years last year under Sutter. What changed - Sutter or the players?
What changed? Do you think Sutter changed the system suddenly this year after having success with it last year? Do you think after coaching successfully over many different flavours of NHL hockey, Sutter is suddenly in over his head? That makes no sense.
Do you think Huberdeau has tuned Sutter out after 44 games? That makes no sense.
It seems to me more likely that Huberdeau's play has been utter dog #### relative to expectations and on an outright basis. You lost two guys who drive play - Tkachuk and Johnny - and replaced them with Huberdeau and Kadri. Even on a good day, the two players coming in have considerably less offensive upside than the two players who left. And there have been maybe 2-3 games this season where you can say Huberdeau had a good day. He has been atrocious.
When the teams score less, it has to have more emphasis on defense. Markstrom hasnt been good either though, which has driven higher goals against.
Sutter isn't a magician. When your goalie isn't playing well and you're offensive star is playing like the 9th best forward on the team, it's going to impact success. Not having Kylington playing and having to play Stone is also causing headaches.
The only thing Sutter can do in this situation is stick with it and hope his stars can find there way.