Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post - Who was the worst player/goalie to play for the Flames?

Calgary4LIfe · 05-15-2024, 12:53 PM

I actually don't understand the hate for Kotalik.

I mean, bad trade is bad, but that's life sometimes. I can't hate a player because the trade was bad. I think Brent Sutter was a bit of a moron in a way. There were only a few things about Kotalik that I knew when Calgary acquired him:

1) Played the point on the PP sometimes because of his howitzer of a shot
2) Shoot-out specialist
3) Kotalik song

I remember thinking: "Why is he being so misused?". He was NOT a great player, don't get me wrong. However, for the first half of the season, no time on the PP, and I don't think he was tried in the shootout much at all, at least not until towards the end of the season. I just assumed that because he sucked, Brent Sutter simply didn't want to give Kotalik the reward of PP time and being a guy on the shootout rotation. However, during the Flames skill's competition, they interviewed Brent and he said something like: "Boy, Kotalik can really shoot it. I will have to maybe try him out on the PP."

I thought he was joking and just being sarcastic. Not many games later, there was Kotalik on the PP.

Yes, Kotalik sucked, but I also say that he was elite at a small number of things, and because the current coach never bothered to even figure out what his damn strengths were, he was complete and utter garbage that didn't move the needle at all. He could have at least moved the needle SLIGHTLY. A coach is supposed to know what the strengths and weaknesses of the players he has, and put it all together as best as possible to win games. To not know about what Kotalik was actually good at, while I (who wasn't the coach) did, is just really zany to me.

05-15-2024, 12:53 PM	#118
Calgary4LIfe Franchise Player Join Date: Jun 2010 Exp:	I actually don't understand the hate for Kotalik. I mean, bad trade is bad, but that's life sometimes. I can't hate a player because the trade was bad. I think Brent Sutter was a bit of a moron in a way. There were only a few things about Kotalik that I knew when Calgary acquired him: 1) Played the point on the PP sometimes because of his howitzer of a shot 2) Shoot-out specialist 3) Kotalik song I remember thinking: "Why is he being so misused?". He was NOT a great player, don't get me wrong. However, for the first half of the season, no time on the PP, and I don't think he was tried in the shootout much at all, at least not until towards the end of the season. I just assumed that because he sucked, Brent Sutter simply didn't want to give Kotalik the reward of PP time and being a guy on the shootout rotation. However, during the Flames skill's competition, they interviewed Brent and he said something like: "Boy, Kotalik can really shoot it. I will have to maybe try him out on the PP." I thought he was joking and just being sarcastic. Not many games later, there was Kotalik on the PP. Yes, Kotalik sucked, but I also say that he was elite at a small number of things, and because the current coach never bothered to even figure out what his damn strengths were, he was complete and utter garbage that didn't move the needle at all. He could have at least moved the needle SLIGHTLY. A coach is supposed to know what the strengths and weaknesses of the players he has, and put it all together as best as possible to win games. To not know about what Kotalik was actually good at, while I (who wasn't the coach) did, is just really zany to me.