[News] Flames press conference Fri 10:30 AM to introduce Glen Gulutzan as Head Coach

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by rooster

If he thinks Stajan is gonna lead this team we are f*&^%$d

Stajan has been a great leader the last few years. He's great with the kids, he's a glue guy in the room by all accounts and I know I have never seen a team rally around anyone like they did for Stajan when he returned following his person tragedy. I have zero doubt Burke re-signed Stajan because he saw how important he was to this team off the ice.

And Stajan as a 3rd line winger would hardly hurt this team.

[Split98]

First thing my girlfriend said: "did Mackelmore and Conan have a baby"?

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by rooster

If he thinks Stajan is gonna lead this team we are f*&^%$d

Lead this team in scoring? No
Lead this team in forward ice time? No


But he is by all accounts a great veteran leader off the ice and on the room. Plus he can hopefully be utilized better than as a 4th line center playing 10-12 minutes per night. That role doesn't really suit him, and with his cap hit it plummets his value on the ice.

[Toonage]

Stajan could replace Colborne. Put him on Backlund's wing.

[Karl]

At this point, I would prefer Stajan not be on this team anymore despite the fact I've defended him here in the past. That said, let's face it, it's gonna be ridiculously hard at best to move him right now due to circumstances.

So, what can we do with him?

Bury him in Stockton?? Provides very little financial relief, plus you still have to replace him with the salary of another player + also combine it with Stajan's remaining salary in the NHL. Not really worth it at all.

Buy him out now? Although that can be done, it carries a cap hit financial penalty for 4 more years. TOTALLY NOT worth that. Maybe next June though.

Can't see any trade involving him that's going to be worth it for this team. So that's pie in the sky for now IMO.

Spend a fair amount of the season as a healthy scratch??? Definitely possible.

Or...Play him this year as a winger instead of a centre???? That may not be a bad idea. Why? His foot speed has declined pretty badly. Given this, putting him on the wing will ease his defensive responsibilities in theory, since the centre often has the most defensive responsibilities of all forwards. And this MIGHT just help him as he can be a bottom/middle six winger focusing on offense more rather than being a defensive-minded 4th line centre.

^^^
I'm open to trying that last option with Stajan.

[Karl]

Oh, and rooster, lay of those bath salts will you.

[Par]

I am just curious about the question asked by Roger Millions about Sam Bennett, I did not get an oppurnity to watch the thing live but after listening to it now, Millions question was along the lines "the veterans on the team were worried about not themselves but about the youngest player Sam Bennett, that Bennett talent was being wasted". What was meant by this?

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by rooster

If he thinks Stajan is gonna lead this team we are f*&^%$d

#stajanforC

[Buff]

Originally Posted by Par

I am just curious about the question asked by Roger Millions about Sam Bennett, I did not get an oppurnity to watch the thing live but after listening to it now, Millions question was along the lines "the veterans on the team were worried about not themselves but about the youngest player Sam Bennett, that Bennett talent was being wasted". What was meant by this?

I didn't hear it, but based on your post, I would imagine that maybe Millions is of the opinion that some of the veterans thought that Bennett wasn't given the opportunity to flourish like Monahan and Gaudreau were given. Based on my own observations my initial thought is, that isn't quite so, he was sheltered so he has time to develop his defensive side at the NHL level, but there were times where I thought maybe he deserved more of a chance to showcase his talents on the PP or have a chance to play with Johnny some nights where Monahan and Gaudreau just weren't clicking on all cylinders.

But, if veterans on the tam were worried about Bennett not getting used to the best of his abilities, then maybe there is a genuine concern since they're the people who are in the know. I also have to wonder because I sometimes see tweets that Millions that make me scratch my head as to whether he is getting an inside source or is just throwing out thoughts based on something that he may have misconstrued.

[combustiblefuel]

Originally Posted by RockOnRoberts

Ra's al Gulutzen

Only logged in to thank this as I am one on the meg nerds for Batman and currently replaying Arkam City and just happing toe playing the Ra's al ghul level near the end.

[combustiblefuel]

Screams alot of "meh"

Not really expecting much next year with this change. Expecting a playoff push but won't be disapointed if it is a tight race for a spot and the flames fall short by a thin margin.

[Cinephile]

What exactly is the protocol for hiring another team's assistant coach? Does Gulutzan have an out clause that enables him to leave his contract if the opportunity to become a head coach for another organization arises? Does he terminate his contract to do so? Do the Flames have to reimburse or compensate Vancouver for taking one of their personnel?

Just some clarification needed here.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by Cinephile

What exactly is the protocol for hiring another team's assistant coach? Does Gulutzan have an out clause that enables him to leave his contract if the opportunity to become a head coach for another organization arises? Does he terminate his contract to do so? Do the Flames have to reimburse or compensate Vancouver for taking one of their personnel?

Just some clarification needed here.

The NHL removed compensation this year.

If you want to talk to someone who is under contract all you have to do is call up the organization and ask for permission. They can say no like the Kings did with their assistants.

Once they are hired by the new team their old contracts are done. Some coaches have a clause where if a new team hires them with less salary than the previous team, the previous team pays the difference for the remaining length of the contract with the previous team.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Par

I am just curious about the question asked by Roger Millions about Sam Bennett, I did not get an oppurnity to watch the thing live but after listening to it now, Millions question was along the lines "the veterans on the team were worried about not themselves but about the youngest player Sam Bennett, that Bennett talent was being wasted". What was meant by this?

I thought Bennett got a pretty fair shake in his first full season. Unlike Monahan he didn't spend his first season on a line with a player like Hudler. really needs the benefit of playing with better wingers. This is why I will be disappointed if the team picks a defenseman at 6th as this team is in dire need of skilled wingers and the UFA route is the route of failure at drafting.

[IamNotKenKing]

I haven't read the entire thread, so apologise if this was asked and answered, but does anyone know how Gulutzan's relationship with Shinkaruk was/is?

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by IamNotKenKing

I haven't read the entire thread, so apologise if this was asked and answered, but does anyone know how Gulutzan's relationship with Shinkaruk was/is?

Since Shinkaruk played just 1 game with the Canucks I would guess that outside of training camps, rookie camps and the prospects tournaments; that they never interacted a ton.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Alberta_Beef

Stajan has been a great leader the last few years. He's great with the kids, he's a glue guy in the room by all accounts and I know I have never seen a team rally around anyone like they did for Stajan when he returned following his person tragedy. I have zero doubt Burke re-signed Stajan because he saw how important he was to this team off the ice.

And Stajan as a 3rd line winger would hardly hurt this team.

Shifting Stajan on the left side of Backlund and Frolik could be a great third line.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

The NHL removed compensation this year.

If you want to talk to someone who is under contract all you have to do is call up the organization and ask for permission. They can say no like the Kings did with their assistants.

Once they are hired by the new team their old contracts are done. Some coaches have a clause where if a new team hires them with less salary than the previous team, the previous team pays the difference for the remaining length of the contract with the previous team.

Well that would be an incredibly stupid clause for a team to agree to. The "if you decide to take a different job elsewhere, but that team offers you less, don't worry we'll cover the difference" clause! Why would any team sign that, or any coach feel they should be entitled to that?

I'd love to know which coaches out there were savvy enough to pull that one over on their respective GMs and which GMs were dumb enough to give it.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

Well that would be an incredibly stupid clause for a team to agree to. The "if you decide to take a different job elsewhere, but that team offers you less, don't worry we'll cover the difference" clause! Why would any team sign that, or any coach feel they should be entitled to that?

I'd love to know which coaches out there were savvy enough to pull that one over on their respective GMs and which GMs were dumb enough to give it.

The clause is more for if they get fired.

For example Hartley was being paid by the Flames $1.75 million / year. If he were to be hired by another team for $1.5 million / year, the Flames would be on the hook for $250k.

It is pretty common for head coaches and it essentially guarantees the contract like they do for players. As to why would a team agree to it, it has become customary. Some team long ago gave it to one coach as an added incentive to sign with them, then other sought after coaches wanted it...

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Shifting Stajan on the left side of Backlund and Frolik could be a great third line.

I agree but I would be more inclined to move Frolik off that line before Colborne. I know Frolik is better defensively, but I think Frolik would benefit more playing with Bennett or Gaudreau/Monahan. But either Stajan/Backlund/Colborne or Stajan/Backlund/Frolik would be very good IMO.