Let's talk about: Bob Hartley

[Pointman]

Hartley is doing a great job this far, but this article reminded me not to get carried away too soon


http://a.espncdn.com/nhl/columns/joh...e/1304958.html

Greg Gilbert, Calgary Flames: The Flames are hurtling back to earth after an improbable, overwhelming (three losses in 21 games) opening to the season. While it's true that they may, like water, just now be finding their level, and now even qualifying for the playoffs for the first time in six seasons is bound to be a nip-and-tuck affair, no one can deny the impact Gilbert has had since assuming control.
After watching Don Hay served up as a ritualistic sacrifice in the springtime, Gilbert has the full support of general manager Craig Button (indeed, may, as whispered, have actually been his 1 or 1A choice for the job -- along with the recently-deposed Brian Sutter, believe it or not! -- before hiring Hay).

Unlike poor Hay, who walked around for months resembling nothing less than someone on Death Row, there's no mistaking who's in charge now. Gilbert isn't one to try and curry favor, to play the political game. He's already benched last year's second-leading scorer Marc Savard for his stubbornness in sacrificing self for the whole.

That the Flames remain in the playoff mix as the season nears its second half is proof of the job he's done. Grade: B

[SebC]

Regarding keeping the play along the boards while in possession of the puck:

When you do this in the offensive zones, you limit your options. Being close to the boards means that's a direction in which you and/or the puck cannot go, and thus you become easier to defend. If you have your back towards the middle of the ice, facing the boards, it's even worse as your passing/movement options become essentially limited to up the boards or down the boards.

This is why I like that Hartley's system attacks down the middle.

[Sakari]

If you want to talk about the great job Hartley has done, lets look at some actual stats. We're 4th for shots a game at 32. Last year, we finished 26th. HUGE difference. We're 3rd for shots against a game at 25, showing that we have clearly improved our forecheck an unbelievable amount. In the faceoff dot, we sit at 18th, but we're seeing signs of that improving.. even though Backlunds out I still have faith.

Besides the stats, we see the Flames winning the one on one battles a lot more often. We have had almost complete control in every game we've played for at least 1 period.. and more often than not we've had it for all 3.

The Flames obviously enjoy playing under Hartley's system. Could be because the players just like Hartley better as a person, or his style of play is more fun to play. Probably both.

Our only problem now is goaltending.. haven't said that for years.

[Frank MetaMusil]

Originally Posted by EddyBeers

Clearly you do not know the depths of what Sutter can do to a hockey team. The Flames would be 8-0 this year if not for Brent Sutter, such is the lingering negative effect that Brent Sutter can have. That WC team would have won the gold medal game 8-0 if not for Brent Sutter, let alone the Slovakian game which would have been 15-2.

For sure, this team was 8-10 points above their talent level because of Sutter. I've even seen you pooh-pooh wins because he wasn't the coach. The fact is, they moved on from his jr tactics and are a better team for it. Has Hartley's team lost 9-1 or 9-0 yet? I am starting to think you are Duane Sutter man. Give it up.

[vilzeh]

Originally Posted by EddyBeers

Clearly you do not know the depths of what Sutter can do to a hockey team. The Flames would be 8-0 this year if not for Brent Sutter, such is the lingering negative effect that Brent Sutter can have. That WC team would have won the gold medal game 8-0 if not for Brent Sutter, let alone the Slovakian game which would have been 15-2.

Yes, this comment killed it for me. You are a clown and no one can take any comments seriously from you, because, ye, you don't know anything about hockey.

[Frank MetaMusil]

Originally Posted by moon

I know it is cool to hate on Sutter here but it is beyond ridiculous to blame him for that loss.

I am sure he told Getzlaf to give the puck away to the Slovak player and then take a stupid 5 minute penalty. In fact I heard he was more pissed that the dozen other NHL stars didn't similarly make boneheaded decisions to cost the team the victory.

Why, because I might have been right? His dump & chase sucked. I will eat crow if this seasons iterations of the Flames still suck, but you need to admit Wideman is a good dman. It wasn't cool to hate on Sutter when I was doing it, but this season has shown that coaching can make a world of difference in terms of entertainment value. Sutter had 80+ million in salary on that roster. It was his style that made that team suck.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Frank MetaMusil

For sure, this team was 8-10 points above their talent level because of Sutter. I've even seen you pooh-pooh wins because he wasn't the coach. The fact is, they moved on from his jr tactics and are a better team for it. Has Hartley's team lost 9-1 or 9-0 yet? I am starting to think you are Duane Sutter man. Give it up.

Brent squeezed about as much as could be squeezed from this group and the results were a team that compted for a playoff spot right down to the end. I feel Hartley will coach a style that is more in line with the team the Flames are trying to build but the problem is that the personnel isn't good enough to win in a higher risk, faster paced game. At the end of the day you can't fault Brent for just trying to win with what he had. It remains to be seen if Hartley's approach will yield a better team in the standings and so far that looks not to be the case at the team looks primed to pick top 5 to 10.

[moon]

Originally Posted by Frank MetaMusil

Why, because I might have been right? His dump & chase sucked. I will eat crow if this seasons iterations of the Flames still suck, but you need to admit Wideman is a good dman. It wasn't cool to hate on Sutter when I was doing it, but this season has shown that coaching can make a world of difference in terms of entertainment value. Sutter had 80+ million in salary on that roster. It was his style that made that team suck.

It seems way to early to say right or wrong and if we are using this season so far I would say you are wrong. His time in NJ shows that he is not a bad NHL coach but people seem to conveniently ignore it or make up BS reasons as to why he wasn't good there.

I don't think Wideman has played nearly as well as many do but he has been about as expected. Decent on PP, decent shot, bad everywhere else and when handling the puck outside of offensive zone. But this isn't a Wideman thread and there is no need to derail it for no reason.

It may be more exciting for some, I personally don't see these games being any better than watching last season, losing isn't fun to watch for me but that doesn't make someone a better coach in my mind.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Brent squeezed about as much as could be squeezed from this group and the results were a team that compted for a playoff spot right down to the end. I feel Hartley will coach a style that is more in line with the team the Flames are trying to build but the problem is that the personnel isn't good enough to win in a higher risk, faster paced game. At the end of the day you can't fault Brent for just trying to win with what he had. It remains to be seen if Hartley's approach will yield a better team in the standings and so far that looks not to be the case at the team looks primed to pick top 5 to 10.

If Hartley's team gets close to the same calibre of goaltending that Sutter had the past 3 years, they should compete just as well at the very least.

Honestly, it's surprising that this team is only one game below 0.500 given that Irving has played 2.3 games, and before that, Kiprsuoff wasn't exactly setting the world on fire. Out of the 4 losses we have this year, 2 of them the team looked good. The game on Saturday was the only one this season that looked totally mailed in, and that was only after some deflating goals.

Hartley needs to figure it now though, because if this team stuggles with morale again, it's a downward spiral from there.

[neo45]

The Flames are hosting the Wild tonight which reminds me of a Sutter coached game two years ago (?), where the Flames lost 6-0 on home ice.

There were no scoring chances, big hits, fights or cool plays. The highlight of the game was the Flames killing a 5 minute penalty, and the fans booed Kipper for what seemed like the first time. People were leaving during the second period and I actually didn't blame them. It was terrible, but it was something that became a regular occurance under that coaching staff.

Hartley is a welcome change from Sutter. I'll take a 12th place team in a shortened season that is reasonably exciting over a dreadfull 9th place team (3 years in a row).

[Stay Golden]

On board with Bob, its not his fault Iggy and most of the other veterans decided to quit playing after VAN went up 2-1. It appeared after they got scored on 30 seconds apart that most of team was like ok we are happy with getting 4/6 pts. Lets just coast for the rest of game. In the mean while they left Irving out for the wolves to feast on.
Piss poor showing by the team for the second half of the game.

Hartley has been refreshing to watch behind the bench and in front of the cameras.

[EddyBeers]

Originally Posted by vilzeh

Yes, this comment killed it for me. You are a clown and no one can take any comments seriously from you, because, ye, you don't know anything about hockey.

Maybe it is a language thing, but you clearly do not get sarcasm on any level. Because of this you are a clown and I cannot take comments from an idiot seriously because you do not know anything about hockey.

[Armchair Quarterback]

Interesting thread and a good discussion. I know I'm a little late in giving my two cents (I should say five cents now) but here goes. So far I like what I see and everyone else here has brought up some valuable points. One thing that I am concerned about, though, is our almost complete lack of physical presence -- finishing checks, keeping guys clear of our crease, even fighting to send a message. Besides Jackman and the odd Sarich hit, this team is playing too soft IMO.

I know that this is not a very big team, but we look like we're getting pushed around out there. It was embarrassing to see Vancouver's team of divers make us look like a bunch of sissies on Saturday night. I think that Hartley needs to get the team to man up and play a more physical game. We played a much more physical game against Minnesota and seemed to fare better.

[Wronskian]

I think Hartley is the guy to move forward with. I like his coaching style so far. My only problem is his French accent (sorry had to say it)

[Badgers Nose]

I like Hartley. The hockey is entertaining even though the skill level is low. It's better to have a guy who can keep a team positive.

I'd like to see him here for 3 years, even if they only win 80 game in that span. IMO that is a high possibility.

[LouCypher]

I realy like Hartley so far. Yes he does ride his vets and best players more, but I think we are starting to see that he wont have much patience. End all and be all to coaching is you have to work with what you have and get the most out of it. If we do miss the playoffs I will still feel like we took some big strides forward. He brought in a system the players like, he is taking the time to teach that system and at the end of the day it'll be up to our best players to carry the team forward or step aside and let others have their chance.

[neo45]

The Flames need to fight more. They are a better team when they are involved physically. The three games in which the Flames had a fight this year are:

1. Home vs Chi
2. Road vs Det
3. Last night

Now I ask the question, what are the Flames three best games of the season? Small sample size yes, but the Flames looked like a great team in those 3 games

[taco.vidal]

Harltey just fcked the goalie situation.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by taco.vidal

Harltey just fcked the goalie situation.

How so? Did he pull a Tonya Harding and set up someone beating Kipper's leg?

[Machiavelli]

Originally Posted by taco.vidal

Harltey just fcked the goalie situation.

Nope, the defense is a mess.