Is Bob Hartley the right coach for this team?

[CubicleGeek]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

Seems like the guys at bodog need to head back to the think tank for a while longer....

Let's not forget, he's also the 2nd worst coach according to ESPN.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by CubicleGeek

Let's not forget, he's also the 2nd worst coach according to ESPN.

#### what a piece of #### list.

[Flames89]

Why is this thread still active?

(I recognize irony in bumping this)

[nfotiu]

I wish he could make some adjustments in how they play with a lead. It has been a problem since he got here. Without looking at stats to back me up, it seems that since he's been here, they've been solid on special teams, good at building a lead, decent enough at coming from behind, but horrible with a lead and horrible at shootouts.


Find a way to figure out those last two and keep the others up, they are a middle of the pack playoff team.

[bluck]

Some weird moves by Hartley over this week.. I didn't want to make a new thread so I thought I would just bump this one to discuss some of the things I've seen.

1. Why did he bench Baertschi? I don't see any reason for this.. unless he is getting told from upper management to bench him I don't get the hate.
2. Why not bench Glencross instead?
3. Why is Tim Jackman playing on this lineup?
4. Someone please explain to me the love he had for Ben Street.. I never saw it but he played him a ton.
5. I have liked the push back from this team but it seems like we are always playing catch up... I would love to see us play with the lead and have the other teams chase us. I don't know maybe some first period adjustments? If we could play every period like the 3rd we would probably have a lot more wins.

[FlameZilla]

Let me pretence this with the fact that I generally like Hartley's uptempo style. Though, I've realised we're in a bit of a laughable situation:

When our team was full of overpaid star players, who was our coach? Brent Sutter: famed for his prowess with young teams & one of the best junior coaches Canada has seen.

Now that our team has a lot of younger players (Brodie, Mony, Colborne, Sven etc), who is our coach? Bob Hartley, famed for winning the Cup with an Avs team laden with overpaid star players.

Management has gotten this bassackwards.

[Miniac]

Bob Hartley gets -1 for tonight.

[Fire]

Originally Posted by bluck

2. Why not bench Glencross instead?

I think Hartley wanted to see if re-uniting the old line (Stajan, Stempniak, Glencross) could provide a spark. Plus benching him will likely not accomplish anything. I'm pretty sure the coaching staff is already talking to him about his poor play.

[Poe969]

Originally Posted by Fire

I think Hartley wanted to see if re-uniting the old line (Stajan, Stempniak, Glencross) could provide a spark. Plus benching him will likely not accomplish anything. I'm pretty sure the coaching staff is already talking to him about his poor play.

They're doing it wrong

[Northendzone]

Maybe they are talking to him in Greek or something....

[browna]

Though higher profile, this benching seems along the same lines of Blair Jones last year. After nothing noticeable to do with his play, the next he's benched, a week later he's on waivers. You never got a truthful answer, just a stock one, but Jones has never gotten out of that doghouse.

This same sort of seemingly (from the outside) irrational dislike for a player almost seems to be possibly bubbling up here. If Sven and the coach are butting heads internally, dont like the chances for Sven. Sven wont be kicked around like a journeyman as Jones has been, there would be a few teams calling I would guess.

Time will tell. A 1-4 road trip doesnt help.

[MrMastodonFarm]

We know 1% of what happens in the dressing room. As fans we don't need a "truthful answer" about why someone was benched then waived and we certainly have no idea if the coach has an irrational hate for another.

[browna]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

We know 1% of what happens in the dressing room. As fans we don't need a "truthful answer" about why someone was benched then waived and we certainly have no idea if the coach has an irrational hate for another.

We dont need a truthful answer. Actions speak loud enough in this particular case. Sven doesnt need a rest and messages have been indirectly (and most likely directly) to the player earlier this year...and the coach has let other more noticeable poorer performers escape the same treatment.

As I said, time will tell. Sven better get in the good books (whatever that is and however achieved) sooner than later.

[FanIn80]

Originally Posted by FlameZilla

...winning the Cup with an Avs team laden with overpaid star players.

wtf?

[Calgary4LIfe]

Every single coach in the NHL prefers vets over youth - especially in pressure situations. It is a fact of life. Vets are less likely to make mistakes out there that cost you the game.

With that being said, Hartley has a track record of helping youth along very, very nicely.

People who are butt-hurt about Sven's benching and pointing the finger at Hartley for not liking youth - well, what about the younger Monahan? His minutes have steadily increased as his performance has steadily increased. Sven has been getting better, but he is nowhere as consistent in his efforts as Monahan, I would say. I was surprised by the scratch, but that is the way the cookie crumbles.

It has ZERO to do with an 'irrational hate' for Baertschi, or Hartley hating rookies/youth. Tanguay, Hejduk, Kovalchuk, Drury and other notable players all disagree.

Sven just needs to work on his game a bit, that's all. Part of the growing pains young players have to endure to be successful in the NHL. You don't know if he is missing his assignments, or doing things that aren't fitting into the system. I bet Sven ends up having a very productive season this year.

[T@T]

Originally Posted by browna

We dont need a truthful answer. Actions speak loud enough in this particular case. Sven doesnt need a rest and messages have been indirectly (and most likely directly) to the player earlier this year...and the coach has let other more noticeable poorer performers escape the same treatment.

As I said, time will tell. Sven better get in the good books (whatever that is and however achieved) sooner than later.

Talked to a former flames player tonight about this. he truly believes Hartley hates a cocky player and thinks Sven is that player.

He said that this type of a battle that may not end well for Hartley or Feaster if it's not nipped very soon.(Gilbert/Button anyone?)

In the end this kid has far too much talent to sit watching games, tough love is one thing but picking on a player because he's young and makes the odd mistake while letting vets away with murder will send Hartley back to the other leagues.

[Ashasx]

Come on, there's no reason Sven should have sat tonight.

He sat because he has a smaller contract than Stajan.

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by T@T

Talked to a former flames player tonight about this. he truly believes Hartley hates a cocky player and thinks Sven is that player.

He said that this type of a battle that may not end well for Hartley or Feaster if it's not nipped very soon.(Gilbert/Button anyone?)

In the end this kid has far too much talent to sit watching games, tough love is one thing but picking on a player because he's young and makes the odd mistake while letting vets away with murder will send Hartley back to the other leagues.

lol Baertschi cocky?

If it comes down to Baertschi or Hartley... sorry Hartley, you're just not that good of a coach.

[mikeecho]

Originally Posted by T@T

Talked to a former flames player tonight about this. he truly believes Hartley hates a cocky player and thinks Sven is that player.

He said that this type of a battle that may not end well for Hartley or Feaster if it's not nipped very soon.(Gilbert/Button anyone?)

In the end this kid has far too much talent to sit watching games, tough love is one thing but picking on a player because he's young and makes the odd mistake while letting vets away with murder will send Hartley back to the other leagues.

Warrener was out on the town tonight?

[calgarywinning]

Whoever was responsible for sitting Baertschi tonight at the organization should own up. Simple.