Flames defensive problems

[flamesforcup]

I haven't seen a thread explicitly talking about our defense. We have good defense on paper (At least offensively?) but seems like this season and last they have really struggled defensively. What should the team do? Change up pairings? I think Brodie-Stone was very good last year and we should try it. Change it up and try something like this maybe?
Gio-Hamilton
Brodie-Stone
Kulak-Hamonic

Also im hoping Hamonic is just having a rough start with a new team like Hamilton did and he bounces back. If we can get the old Hamonic during the push it will be a huge boost
Thoughts?

[memphusk]

Try Giordano with Hamonic. Try anything. It really can't get any worse.

[Moneyhands23]

Put Tj back on the right side

[GGG]

Wait until Smith and the defense start working better together and understand how to use that to an advantage

[bubbsy]

Hmmm, it feels like this topic is being discussed in every thread on the first page of the forum.....

[activeStick]

I'm very shocked at what I see on the ice from this group as I was completely sold and really believed that this was a group worthy of the labels being thrown around as being among the best in the league.

Not only are they very, very bad defensively, but they also aren't bringing as much as I expected on the offensive side of the house except for Brodie.

It's puzzling because the team didn't seem that bad anecdotally last year and you'd think that Hamonic and Kulak would be a net improvement over Engelland and Wideman but I feel the group has indeed played worse.

Don't think it's an adjustment period because really it's one brand new guy in Hamonic so it doesn't explain the struggles seem from all 3 pairs.

[skcli]

Bring back Chris Butler

[Dion]

Team defence is not good. The forwards need to comeback and help the defence.

[Geeoff]

Am I wrong for being optimistic that this will sort itself out? A lot of the giveaways are just bad bounces on clearing attempts. The Flames have the personnel, I think they're just getting unlucky lately.

[GranteedEV]

IMO the problem isn't primarily defensive zone play, it's neutral zone play / entry denial. This team finds itself needing to defend so often because of easy entries allowed by Hamonic and Stone on the right side, that there are too many events occuring in the defensive zone. Put a good defensive player out for enough events and they will make mistakes, which is what is happening. Gotta nip the issue at the bud, which means better gap control and more offensive zone keep-ins.

I propose we trade Hamonic.

[Lanny_McDonald]

The Flames defensive woes start and end with the systemic approach of moving the puck against the grain. Every single defenseman is schooled to move the puck back against the grain on the shoot in. Their first move is always against the grain and into the forecheck. The pressure to make the perfect pass as the forwards transition is then increased, which results in rushed plays and turnovers. Just like the dumb back pass on the PP, and their inability to look prepared in games, these systemic and a result of Gulutzan's system. Gulutzan needs to go.

[Huntingwhale]

The stupid LD/RD IMO has been one of the major issues. Instead of putting players in their proper positions with players they have chemistry with, now you play with someone based on how you shoot the puck. Looks good on paper,,,but that experiment dried up a long time ago and yet the coach is too stubborn to realize that and fix it.

Because of this, Brodano was broken up, Brodie was put on his opposite side, and here we are with defensive pairings that lack chemistry and production.

As good as Hamilton/Gio was last season, I still maintain that Brodano of years prior was even better. But nope, coach breaks them up because Brodie is playing on his ''wrong'' side. Brodie/Stone showed much better chemistry (and in spurts this season) then Brodie/Hamonic ever did. But nope, must keep them together for some reason.

Having said all that, I'm still going to be patient to see how this plays out. Gio/Hamilton will surely return to form. Hamonic will settle in and learn to play with Brodie properly. And I do think Kulak will improve as the season goes along, solidifying the 3rd pairing. But man, is it frustrating to watch the coach try to fit square pegs into round holes some nights.

[GordonBlue]

Originally Posted by Geeoff

Am I wrong for being optimistic that this will sort itself out? A lot of the giveaways are just bad bounces on clearing attempts. The Flames have the personnel, I think they're just getting unlucky lately.

you're making excuses for poor decisions and bad plays when you mark it up to just bad luck and bad bounces.

you're saying they are playing up to their skill level and doing all the right things but it's just bad luck?

bad bounces or bad luck is one of the lamest rationalizations for poor play.

you'd be more realistic in saying it can take time for a player (Hamonic) to adjust to a new city and team, and defensive scheme. you can also say some of the miscues are a result of adjusting to a new goalie with far different puck handling skills than they're used to. and maybe good players making bonehead plays. maybe one or two not being as good as you thought.

but bad luck and bad bounces. no.

[dustygoon]

All I can say is Kulak is absolutely not the problem. He should be everyday third pairing. He takes care of that role nicely. But I bet BT brings in an experienced beast to fill the engyland role. Like Dyllon out of San Jose. Did I manage to spell everyone’s names correctly?

[Lucky23]

Blame Gulutzan and his attempt at forcing chemistry with R/L D pairings.

Gio and Brodie were widely considered the best pair in the NHL, why split them up? they thrived together and brought the best out of each other every game without a lot of support.

Gio-Brodie
Hamilton-Hamonic
Kulak-Stone

On another note. Hamonic has been quite good this season. We knew he wasn't a top end point producer. He is not the reason why Brodie has been struggling. Going back to last season Brodie has been one of the worst in the NHL for +/- (someone can check for sure) which is an important stat for Defense. Again Gulutzan trying to force things. Just move Brodie back to the Right side!!!

[ForeverFlameFan]

GG is weird, that's all. He doesn't apparently want Brodie and Stone paired together, when everyone with eye-balls can see that those two play better together.

Hamonic has had more worse than good games, he needs to be on the bottom pairing until he starts playing better. I feel like GG is playing our team like a video game, doesn't want to move Hamonic down because he's rated "83" and Stone is 81. Dumb example, but that's what I feel like he is doing, slotting our defenseman by pedigree.

[Cappy]

Hamonic is slowly getting better after his slow start. I don't think Stone is better than Hamonic at this point.

I would try Brodie/Gio and Hamilton/Hamonic because why not?

[Mike F]

Originally Posted by bubbsy

Hmmm, it feels like this topic is being discussed in every thread on the first page of the forum.....

It's not rocket science: if you don't like the thread, either don't read it, or post your thoughts on Jankowski firing Gulutzen.

[Lucky23]

Yup I am indifferent between Hamonic and Stone, really. Stone has really impressed me so far for the role that he was brought for. Stone should be on the powerplay! The Brodie experiment is over.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by dustygoon

All I can say is Kulak is absolutely not the problem. He should be everyday third pairing. He takes care of that role nicely. But I bet BT brings in an experienced beast to fill the engyland role. Like Dyllon out of San Jose. Did I manage to spell everyone’s names correctly?

You got Kulak and BT

*Engelland
**Dillon