Fans overuse the dump and chase argument, I think - every team does it. The question is, how much do they rely on it?
I think a more useful discussion is about how a team transitions, and moves from zone to zone.
I believe the Flames are most effective when they are utilizing a high-tempo transitional game. And they are least effective when they are moving zone to zone. Gulutzan had them moving as a 5 man unit from zone to zone, which is fine if you have a physical team that is good on the boards.
The Flames do not. They are best in an open-ice, up tempo game.
I do not yet know how Ward is going to have them play. there was too much zone to zone hockey for my liking this past year, but he took over mid-season, so I don't think we should hang that on him.
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