The future of Bob Hartley

[MisterJoji]

This is a hard question to honestly answer, given we're not even out of the pre-season yet, but what are the chances Hartley is still the coach next year?

If we are a bottom feeder again this year (as most experts are predicting) but we keep our reputation as a hard working, gritty, hard to play against team, is this enough to get Hartley an extension? Or does the team need to finish higher than last year? Will Treliving/Burke want to bring in their own guy, regardless of how the team finishes?

[Coach]

I think Hartley is the coach for as long as he can show improvement.

As soon as progression stalls, or there's a hump we just can't get over, he'll go.

I think at least another 2 seasons. And I'd honestly like to see him around for a while.

[shermanator]

Originally Posted by MisterJoji

If we are a bottom feeder again this year (as most experts are predicting) but we keep our reputation as a hard working, gritty, hard to play against team, is this enough to get Hartley an extension?

Yes, Hartley gets an extension in this scenario, no matter where we finish...

[dammage79]

I see no reason why he cannot man the helm past this season. Unless Mike Babcock somehow magically leaves Detroit, there really isn't any upgrades out there.

Torts? Yeah no.
Bylsma? No thanks.

[Poe969]

I honestly think he'll be done before the end of the year...I hope I"m wrong and that the Flames can keep the same level of intensity as they did all year but I fear that the whole "give it 110% every shift" thing gets tired when there aren't results. I think before the end of the year, the team will start to collapse and the finger will be pointed at Hartley.

I hope I'm wrong but I just can't see the team playing that way for another full season with nothing to show for it.

[InglewoodFan]

I really hope so, as long as he keeps things moving in a positive direction for the rebuild. I think fans can deal with it taking time for a proper rebuild, and in the meantime Hartley has brought us the most exciting Flames team to watch in the last decade or so.

[Locke]

Quite honestly, its tough to determine whether the team over-achieved last year or were just out-sucked. We really shouldnt try competing against Edmonton in that department, its really their wheelhouse.

The Flames were virtually unanimously picked to finish dead last last season, so anything better than that was an accomplishment.

I dont see that those expectations have changed all that much for this season. If anything, I think the Flames are a worse team this year than last year, so its difficult to see where the expectation level is for this season and it stands to reason that they probably wont be much better next season.

[nik-]

I think he might be here next year, but I don't see past that. He's doing a fine job with a team with zero expectation, but people forget his results when this team was expected to win some games. He seems to be able to scare the kids into playing, but he still can't motivate the vets.

[heep223]

The only thing I worry about is that he's not Treliving's "guy".

Really hope he stays for the duration of the rebuild because a) I like him and b) that means the rebuild is going well!

[CsInMyBlood]

If the Flames are once again a hard working team every night and some of our prospects show progression then I see no reason for him not to coach the team again next year regardless of where we finish in the standings.

[Lil Pedro]

Think he has done great with what limited talent he as been able to work with. If they have a decent first half of the season (not dead last, but in the 13th-9th spot), I don't think a 1-2 year extension is unwarranted. Players seem to really like and respond to him

[FlamesAddiction]

I wish Harley was available when Darryl Sutter was still the GM. I think they would have been a dynamite combo.

This year, all I want to see it a hard working team that plays with pride and young players being able to contribute and progress. If that happens, no matter what the standings are, then I think Hartley will have succeeded.

Everyone knew from the minute we traded Iginla, that we would be going through this and no coach in the world can stop it.

[MisterJoji]

Originally Posted by Poe969

I honestly think he'll be done before the end of the year...I hope I"m wrong and that the Flames can keep the same level of intensity as they did all year but I fear that the whole "give it 110% every shift" thing gets tired when there aren't results. I think before the end of the year, the team will start to collapse and the finger will be pointed at Hartley.

I hope I'm wrong but I just can't see the team playing that way for another full season with nothing to show for it.

This is kind of along the lines of what I am thinking. It's hard to play balls to the wall night in and night out. One thing I think Hartley has going for him is that our leadership group is really good. I don't think Gio would just sit by quietly if some players were obviously dogging it. The team's attitude comes from the top down and Gio is one of the best captains you could ask for. Also, we don't have LA's roster, but Sutter has had that team playing hard going on 4 years with no signs of stopping yet and I think Hartley has a lot of respect in our dressing room.

[Cowboy89]

Originally Posted by nik-

I think he might be here next year, but I don't see past that. He's doing a fine job with a team with zero expectation, but people forget his results when this team was expected to win some games. He seems to be able to scare the kids into playing, but he still can't motivate the vets.

Hard to say the 2013 season is a large enough or legitimate enough sample size to claim he cannot motivate vets. It was only a 48 game season that featured Iginla's Flames swan song and Tanguay as the two best vets on the team. I even question whether that team had the talent to compete at a higher level.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Cowboy89

Hard to say the 2013 season is a large enough or legitimate enough sample size to claim he cannot motivate vets. It was only a 48 game season that featured Iginla's Flames swan song and Tanguay as the two best vets on the team. I even question whether that team had the talent to compete at a higher level.

He couldn't motivate vets last year either.

[BlackWallStreet]

Originally Posted by dammage79

I see no reason why he cannot man the helm past this season. Unless Mike Babcock somehow magically leaves Detroit, there really isn't any upgrades out there.

Torts? Yeah no.
Bylsma? No thanks.

I'd be choked if we ended up with one of those coaches. Imo they're terribad

[troutman]

He's a top 10 coach in this league. Successful franchises favor stability.

[Cowboy89]

Originally Posted by nik-

He couldn't motivate vets last year either.

Who played below expectations other than Glencross?

[Poe969]

Sure, Sutter has the kings playing hard after 4 years of pushing them as hard as possible but they have 2 cups. It's completely different because they Flames played balls to the wall and ended up with the 4th worst record in the league. I think that Gio would say something if people started to slack but I don't think it's going to be enough. Players can only give so much without getting something in return, Hartley did a great job last year and if he can keep that up and keep the team playing that hard every year as the roster gets better we'll be like the kings in a few years. If the players start to tune him out and put in less effort, he'll be gone. If they keep it up he'll be coach of the year within 3 years!

[Diemenz]

Originally Posted by nik-

He couldn't motivate vets last year either.

Examples? I am not trying to play devils advocate I am honestly asking.