Fire Gulutzan/Give him Coach of the year All Purpose Thread

[polak]

They might know something we don't? They're usually towing company line when it comes to Flames coaching and management.

[Moneyhands23]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Boy the 960 boys are trashing Gulutzan this morning for a lot of things that have already been brought up here this weekend. Fans questioning the head coach is nothing new but the 960 guys typically tread carefully. Pretty obvious Warrener is not behind the head coach. Burke is going to be on 960 soon for questions. Could be interesting.

I think it's pretty obvious to everyone how ineffective the coaching has been this year. Glad the boys on 960 are being honest about what they think.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by polak

They might know something we don't? They're usually towing company line when it comes to Flames coaching and management.

You don't need to be an astute hockey person to be able to critique what Gulutzan has done so far this season as he's making a lot of bad decisions and saying the wrong things to the media after bad losses.

Anyone that watched the Stars when he was head coach should not be surprised as this is exactly the way the Stars were under him as well. Funny thing is that he owes his two NHL head coach opportunities to green GM's such as Nieuwendyk and Treliving that were/are not wise to guys that can walk into an interview talk a good game to the point he can convince a GM that's new to hiring head coaches that he's the best candidate. Unfortunately it appears his ability to sell himself to a GM is much better than his ability to sell himself to a locker room of NHL players.

[Moneyhands23]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

You don't need to be an astute hockey person to be able to critique what Gulutzan has done so far this season as he's making a lot of bad decisions and saying the wrong things to the media after bad losses.

Anyone that watched the Stars when he was head coach should not be surprised as this is exactly the way the Stars were under him as well. Funny thing is that he owes his two NHL head coach opportunities to green GM's such as Nieuwendyk and Treliving that were/are not wise to guys that can walk into an interview talk a good game to the point he can convince a GM that's new to hiring head coaches that he's the best candidate. Unfortunately it appears his ability to sell himself to a GM is much better than his ability to sell himself to a locker room of NHL players.

GG should probably go in to sales after he gets fired...

[CliffFletcher]

Yeah, glue gun strikes me as the kind of guy who can impress a boardroom with his smarts and theory, but can't deliver where the rubber meets the road.

[calgarygeologist]

Just saw Burke on Global News this morning. He said that the problem with the Flames is not coaching or system but it is the players. The players are not thinking about what to do and execution.

If this is the case I really expect Gulutzan and management to start benching players in an attempt to get their heads back into the game. Johnny, Monahan and maybe Gio should all sit out a game.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by calgarygeologist

Just saw Burke on Global News this morning. He said that the problem with the Flames is not coaching or system but it is the players. The players are not thinking about what to do and execution.

If this is the case I really expect Gulutzan and management to start benching players in an attempt to get their heads back into the game. Johnny, Monahan and maybe Gio should all sit out a game.

The best players really do need to be better. I don't know if benching top players is the answer as things could get out of hand and snowball on the head coach. Gulutzan is obviously a cerebral guy so he needs to figure out what it's going to take to get these guys on track.

[kyuss275]

Has our captain called for a " players only" meeting? If players are really having trouble with the system and don't like it, maybe it's time to air out some of the " dirty laundry".

[IgiTang]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

Has our captain called for a " players only" meeting? If players are really having trouble with the system and don't like it, maybe it's time to air out some of the " dirty laundry".

They had one earlier and then they won a couple games.

Something is really wrong with this team and I think it extends beyond "players not thinking or over thinking".

The team, to me, appears uncomfortable and confused.

Edit: to add..


Last year the D pairings would send the puck back and forth between the two 5 or 6 times to find an open lane or get on their horse and skate it out as the flames have one of the best skating D cores in the game.

Watching Jokipakka on the giveaway to Getzlaf up the left side was so ... stupid.. Hamilton sat in the right corner, comepletely open and not one player closer than the top of the right circle, had Jokipakka sent it to Dougie, Hamilton would have had time to either make a pass up, use his Jokipakka or skate it out. But it's like Jokipakka was compelled to make a pass ahead rather than laterally.

Later in the game from behind the net, he made the same play from behind the net up the middle with 3 ducks player there and zero flames. It almost got picked. Why wouldn't he use his lateral support?

Jokipakka is not stupid. He knows how to play, so to me it's a directive to force that puck up the ice.

[madmike]

Originally Posted by calgarygeologist

Just saw Burke on Global News this morning. He said that the problem with the Flames is not coaching or system but it is the players. The players are not thinking about what to do and execution.

If this is the case I really expect Gulutzan and management to start benching players in an attempt to get their heads back into the game. Johnny, Monahan and maybe Gio should all sit out a game.

Monahan, Gaudreau and Brodie would all have been benched already - if they weren't the Flames' best three players most of the time.

They've been complete garbage this season.

Most of the rest of the team looks a lot better under Gulutzan's system. For whatever reason it's not working for these three.

Special teams are a completely different story. Still a disgrace after how many years?

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

Has our captain called for a " players only" meeting? If players are really having trouble with the system and don't like it, maybe it's time to air out some of the " dirty laundry".

Maybe they need to reschedule their day off.

[Wiggum_PI]

Originally Posted by calgarygeologist

Just saw Burke on Global News this morning. He said that the problem with the Flames is not coaching or system but it is the players. The players are not thinking about what to do and execution.

Interesting that Burke says this, to me it looks like the players are thinking way too much, and as a result aren't reacting quick enough to make smart plays.

I think Gulutzan should get back to the basics for now, and if things start to turn around he can start implementing a more complex strategy.

And he could also stop putting Grossmann in the lineup for the rest of the season as well.

[FlamesAddiction]

IF Gulutzan gets canned (and I personally think it is a big if), then I would bet Treliving or Burke take over on the interim. That alone should be enough to scare the players straight.

I really don't see a lack of trying though. What I see are players that look confused and aren't having fun. I know it's been mentioned before, but it is totally like the Brent Sutter days. The most skilled guys have more reigns on them and can't perform the way they know how to.

I get the need for a more regimented system when it comes to the lunch bucket crew, but guys like Monahan and Gaudreau should just do their thing. Not every player is equal and they shouldn't be treated that way.

[charcoalbg]

I rarely post in this forum but just want to add my observation to the team so far. I am a Flames fan since late 80s growing up in Canuck land so sucks can't really show my colors and cheer as much. But after watching the Anaheim game I don't think the system is like Brent Sutter style dump and chase nor the pond hockey loosey goosey style of Hartley's. I think GG is more hybrid between both. I believe it is a players thing at moment that top players now are thinking too much and more making safe play than more high risk plays. I don't think GG restricts them. Example from last night is I saw many times Kulak took puck from defensive zone to offensive zone to maintain some offensive pressure. Brent Sutter system I think would not allow D to start rush like that if I recalled. In past couple years under Hartley our top guys like Giordano, Brodie and Hamilton would do that countless times. I think they are either told to make safe play more or knowing they got burned so much already this year to get it out of zone as priority. But in agreement like the rest of this board special teams is hurting us. I hope they can Cameron's at least. Was he GG hire or Treliving?

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[Igottago]

Originally Posted by Wiggum_PI

Interesting that Burke says this, to me it looks like the players are thinking way too much, and as a result aren't reacting quick enough to make smart plays.

I think Gulutzan should get back to the basics for now, and if things start to turn around he can start implementing a more complex strategy.

And he could also stop putting Grossmann in the lineup for the rest of the season as well.

100% agreed. They are not doing what comes naturally. I feel like all the focus on system and process has stifled our most creative players and caused them to lose touch with their instincts.

[Toonage]

Originally Posted by Igottago

100% agreed. They are not doing what comes naturally. I feel like all the focus on system and process has stifled our most creative players and caused them to lose touch with their instincts.

Also agree. Did you see how fast and clean Anaheim moved the puck last night? And how they knew where to be? Flames looked several steps behind at all times and took dumb penalties as a result. They could learn a few things from watching the video of the Ducks last night. That was a team that knew how to execute and was confident in doing so. I'm sure that'll come for Calgary, but its going to take time.

That being said, I joke but I think a change in who runs the PP would be welcome. That square peg has taken a beating.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Igottago

100% agreed. They are not doing what comes naturally. I feel like all the focus on system and process has stifled our most creative players and caused them to lose touch with their instincts.

Yup, it's it's exactly why a lot of skilled players do not necessarily make great coaches. It makes them hard to coach.

It's been working great for guys like Backlund, Frolik and Brouwer, because they are the type of players that benefit from coaches that micromanage everything. You can teach that stuff, but for a player like Gaudreau, you can't teach what he does and if you take that away from him, there isn't much else.

It doesn't need to be just the coach or just the players. Sometimes they just aren't compatible and you need to pick which ones you want to run with. But if our top skilled players are not going to be able to do what they do best, then either they go or the coach goes. And it's not unheard of. Typically when a new coach takes over, they find out which players work for them, and the following off season, the GM works to make the roster adjustments for them.

If Gulutzan is what the brass wants, then some of our best players will be moved before next season, Hopefully the fans are prepared for that. And hey, if it means a better team, then great. It's a fine line though.

[mennoknight]

Randy Carlyle literally thinks people have more concussions these days because their brains are "closer to the skull" because they wear helmets. This man outcoached Gulutzan last night.

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by Wiggum_PI

I think Gulutzan should get back to the basics for now, and if things start to turn around he can start implementing a more complex strategy.

Going back to the basics and playing a simple style might be a good thing. I've been trying to do a bunch of reading about Gulutzan over the last two days. I've been reading articles and columns with quotes from former members of the Stars, Canucks and other people and one thing that is recurring is how smart Gulutzan is. Obviously being smart and bright is a great trait but sometimes it can also be a detriment. He might be over-thinking things with the Flames right now and he might be getting too complicated and complex. He might be using his smarts to try to beat other teams instead of just letting the skilled players play the basic game of hockey.

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

If Gulutzan is what the brass wants, then some of our best players will be moved before next season, Hopefully the fans are prepared for that. And hey, if it means a better team, then great. It's a fine line though.

I sure hope that the Flames don't move Johnny or Monahan or any other young talent because they don't match a coaching style. Management needs to find a guy that can get all the best pieces working together effectively and not start shipping out the stars for the sake of a coach who has two years of experience in the NHL (not including time as an assistant.)