What are your thoughts on Glen Gulutzan's system?

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by edslunch

If Gulutzan's philosophy is to keep the reins on the D then he's a puzzling hire given that the Flames' organization is stocked top to bottom with PMD and the current GM keeps drafting them.

I don't think it is. Hamilton is moving up way more than last year. Wideman was way up on plays last game. Brodie has been rushing as well. Gio not so much.

I think the D aren't getting the trailer feeds they used to get from Gaudreau. I do think the Flames are trying to play towards the net and not look for a back pass (to a D) as much. So there's that.

There's also the fact that Gio and Wideman are getting older and declining (esp. Wideman). Two years ago they were both on fire. It might not be wise to expect the production form those two to equal the past. So the issue is whether Brodie and Hamilton can make it up. And if not, then the forwards have to step it up.

[Flamescuprun2018]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

His system seems to better at cutting down the goals against. We seem to not be horrifically outshot every night.

Gulutzan seems to me a woefully uninspiring leader. As evidenced by the team's 2-9-1 record when trailing after 2 periods. I don't care how good he is at the X's and O's. He sure doesn't seem to be very good at bringing the best out of his players - Gaudreau, Monahan, Brodie, and Bennett have all looked like shells of themselves under his stewardship.

The only player who seems to be having a career year is Chad Johnson. It's not all on the coach, but the coach doesn't really seem to help much.

This is one criticism I share. I have not seen one second of passion on the bench when it's time to rally troops. GG needs to be more than a tactician. I don't like the head down when we are scored on. The head coach must inspire the team to dig deep. Hartley has this on GG.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Flamescuprun2018

This is one criticism I share. I have not seen one second of passion on the bench when it's time to rally troops. GG needs to be more than a tactician. I don't like the head down when we are scored on. The head coach must inspire the team to dig deep. Hartley has this on GG.

How many times must this be repeated? He is watching the video monitor of the goal. This is something that most coaches do now with the monitors on the bench.

[taxbuster]

Originally Posted by Flamescuprun2018

I don't like the head down when we are scored on.

I believe they said on a broadcast that his head is down as he is watching the play on a monitor below him on the bench (assume for a challenge?). No idea if that is so or not.

[Flash Walken]

Lol, back to the body language on a 2 second clip following a negative flames event(penalty or goal against).

[TheoFleury]

Originally Posted by automaton 3

Flames are taking way more penalties so far this year as well.

2015 9:11/game (12th) and 297 penalties (5th)

2016 11:26/game (25th) and 125 penalties (30th, but Flames do have the most GP).

PK has looked a bit better lately, but is still sitting at 29th (76.8%). Home PK is 66.7%

Not going to win very many games with that formula, let alone PP and 5v5.

We used to be so disciplined before the Wideman incident. Must be a coincidence.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Until Gulutzan starts taking a page out of Eakins' body language, I wouldn't think there is anything we as fans can point as something wrong.

I personally wish he would get a bit more animated with the refs at times. That's about all I am getting from the body language. Who knows though? Maybe he is doing his best to just keep it in, until one day he has a Playfair episode.

Most coaches just prefer to appear calm and even keel regardless of what happens.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

Until Gulutzan starts taking a page out of Eakins' body language, I wouldn't think there is anything we as fans can point as something wrong.

I personally wish he would get a bit more animated with the refs at times. That's about all I am getting from the body language. Who knows though? Maybe he is doing his best to just keep it in, until one day he has a Playfair episode.

Most coaches just prefer to appear calm and even keel regardless of what happens.

Agreed. I think it helps the players confidence when they know the coach is fighting for them. Right now, the Flames are making it too easy on the officials. I have no doubt that coaches getting vocal affects things, especially when it comes to getting favourable "make up" calls.

But also, the Flames are playing less of a speed-driven game this year, so I think it is resulting in them being caught on their heals, which increases the number of penalties.

[Huntingwhale]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

How many times must this be repeated? He is watching the video monitor of the goal. This is something that most coaches do now with the monitors on the bench.

Nah, it's much funnier to think that an NHL head coach is sad and hanging his head in shame.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

Agreed. I think it helps the players confidence when they know the coach is fighting for them. Right now, the Flames are making it too easy on the officials. I have no doubt that coaches getting vocal affects things, especially when it comes to getting favourable "make up" calls.

But also, the Flames are playing less of a speed-driven game this year, so I think it is resulting in them being caught on their heals, which increases the number of penalties.

Or getting more calls by antagonizing the refs (especially as a newish coach). Like it or not, there's a "pay your dues" attitude from refs.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Or getting more calls by antagonizing the refs (especially as a newish coach). Like it or not, there's a "pay your dues" attitude from refs.

Not sure I would buy that. I may buy the "Wideman Conspiracy" at times, but not the new coach paying his dues.

What team would hire a new coach knowing they would be short-changed on calls all season (or more?).

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

I don't think it is. Hamilton is moving up way more than last year. Wideman was way up on plays last game. Brodie has been rushing as well. Gio not so much.

I think the D aren't getting the trailer feeds they used to get from Gaudreau. I do think the Flames are trying to play towards the net and not look for a back pass (to a D) as much. So there's that.

There's also the fact that Gio and Wideman are getting older and declining (esp. Wideman). Two years ago they were both on fire. It might not be wise to expect the production form those two to equal the past. So the issue is whether Brodie and Hamilton can make it up. And if not, then the forwards have to step it up.

I agree totally. Also, Hamilton is the only member of the D who can reliably get the puck on net this year.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

Nah, it's much funnier to think that an NHL head coach is sad and hanging his head in shame.

I don't think he's hanging his head in shame, I just wouldn't count on him to deliver a stirring speech to fire up the troops when they need to either hold the line or tie the game.

Hockey is an emotional game. Gulutzan needs to be able to inspire. How often would you say the team has played inspired hockey this year?

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

I don't think he's hanging his head in shame, I just wouldn't count on him to deliver a stirring speech to fire up the troops when they need to either hold the line or tie the game.



Hockey is an emotional game. Gulutzan needs to be able to inspire. How often would you say the team has played inspired hockey this year?

I appreciate that you doubled down when it was pointed out that having his head down to watch the replay didn't fit your point, but this doesn't make sense.

An emotional game? Inspired hockey? Maybe lets worry about them getting better and playing solid hockey (which they've begun doing) before we wonder if we can see the fire in their eyes from our comfortable couches at home.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

I appreciate that you doubled down when it was pointed out that having his head down to watch the replay didn't fit your point, but this doesn't make sense.

An emotional game? Inspired hockey? Maybe lets worry about them getting better and playing solid hockey (which they've begun doing) before we wonder if we can see the fire in their eyes from our comfortable couches at home.

My point had nothing to do with where GG looks after a goal. It was about them being 2-9-1 when trailing after 2.

They played angrier in a few games recently. That's good. Most nights, the emotion has been missing from their game. You can write that off as armchair coaching and conjecture if you like.

I don't think this is the sort of coach anyone 'wants' to play for. I think they play for him because it's their job. And I think that's a problem at the NHL level.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

I don't think this is the sort of coach anyone 'wants' to play for. I think they play for him because it's their job. And I think that's a problem at the NHL level.

Sure, but when you talk about emotion, rallying the troops, and the above... all it is, is pointless conjecture. It'd be no better if you said "coaches with red hair aren't impactful, they can't hold the room." You're welcome to say it, but it's empty and nonsensical.

There is just zero evidence to support anything you're claiming. Point to 2-9-1 and I can show you Stanley cup winning coaches who go on stretches like that, does that make them unable to inspire confidence?

I think there's a lot about this team you can point to as an issue right now, enough so that reaching into the realm of "people who wear suits like that aren't inspirational enough" is unnecessary and weird. I know you didn't say that, but you really might as well have.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

My point had nothing to do with where GG looks after a goal. It was about them being 2-9-1 when trailing after 2.

Teams usually lose when trailing after 2. Show us the average league-wide, and then show us that this number is significantly worse.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by Jay Random

Teams usually lose when trailing after 2. Show us the average league-wide, and then show us that this number is significantly worse.

Only 11 teams have a better record when trailing after 3. Unfortunately, only 2 teams have been trailing after 2 periods more often.

The problem isn't the flames response to being down a goal or two, it's that they're down a goal or too too often.

The flames are excellent at keeping a 1 goal lead late. They're:

7-1-2 (only Pittsburgh is better in 1 goal games)
4-12-0 in 3 goal games (only Colorado is worse)

That tells you they struggle to score and put teams away. It also tells you that they've completely fallen apart sometimes, which seems to have improved

[Justin]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

The only player who seems to be having a career year is Chad Johnson. It's not all on the coach, but the coach doesn't really seem to help much.

I have to disagree.

Ferland
Backlund
Frolik

Each are playing their best hockey as a Flame yet.

[Fighting Banana Slug]

Originally Posted by Justin

I have to disagree.

Ferland
Backlund
Frolik

Each are playing their best hockey as a Flame yet.

Not to mention Engelland, the rest of the 4th line, Stajan (at least while with the Flames), etc.

The top guys haven't performed up to expectation, that has been driven home ad nauseum. Lot's of reasons for that, but I doubt one of them is because GG doesn't act like Orval Tessier behind the bench (that one is for you oldtimers!)