The trials and tribulations of Glen Gulutzan

[DiracSpike]

I phoned the overtime call-in show after the first game the Flames had against the Oilers and basically ranted about the lack passion/push back/physicality that others have hit on in this thread. To me, games against your rivals mean something, there should be an added layer of intensity and urgency. People can argue that it's pretty arbitrary to define "rivalry" games but it obviously means something to the Oilers since they only time they play like a semi-competent team is when they play the Flames. Our team just can't ratchet up the intensity when it matters, and to me the fact they got swept out of the playoffs and haven't beat the Oilers in two years are linked. I've never been a huge proponent of firing to coach to shake things up but I can't see how never beating your intra-provincial rival isn't heavily linked to GG's flaccid coaching style.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Racki

I've mentioned it before but I think the trade for Hamonic will play into Gulutzan's future. Treliving will be humiliated if the Islanders end up with a top 5-8 pick that received for Hamonic.

There is going to be a sense of urgency to ensure that this season does not come off the rails.

I hope you are right as this team is becoming difficult to watch. Not sure if I can handle another full season of this head coach.

[MisterJoji]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Yeah I have a feeling Treliving is going to stick with his guy for this season even if it means missing the playoffs.

Then he should be fired too. He’s done a lot of great transactions but after trading away our 1st and 2nd round picks this year and then being fine with being a non-playoff team? That is most definitely a fireable offense.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

And the thing is, the perfect short-term-solution is not too far away.

If Treliving hires another coach it will be another guy he has history with so it's going to be Tippett before Sutter.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Itse

Yeah, 3 is how many times they've had the lead after first period. Which is league worst.

And it wasn't New Era, it was Bubbsy.

So I really sharted all over that one!

[EVERLAST]

I often wonder if Conroy and Gelinas ever sit and have a beer and talk about where this team is going.
They have had allot of coaches , seen what works and what doesn't.

I remember them being sat down and always responded well as players after.....I wonder if they agree it's time to stop being buddies with the current roster.
A good swift kick in the ass would go a long way for certain players on this team.
So much of what's happening is mental. The players that are struggling have shown they can be more physical, can skate better and just be over all better.
As an example Bennett hasn't performed up to expectations but when he's going he's not trying to do it all himself.
He's played better the last 3-4 games with his linemates as he sees they need to be involved....or maybe Jagr sat down with him and talked a bit to him.
I hope we figure something out soon as this team is terribly inconsistent.

[Robbob]

This not matching lines thing is ridiculous. Did he not have last change and not put the 3m line against McDavid. You can not actually believe they don't line match.

This threads is really starting to remind of south park and the hillbillies screaming the same thing over and over.

Spoiler!

[Gaskal]

McLellan was trying to sneak McSaviour into other lines just so Backlund wouldn't slap the handcuff on his wrist.

[Strange Brew]

I am worried about a trade that makes the team "grittier" and slower.

When Flames traded for Hamilton they were likely hoping they were looking at their stud defenceman of the future but the back end is still jittery and error prone. They need a big minutes guy who can make plays and isn't error prone.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

I am worried about a trade that makes the team "grittier" and slower.

When Flames traded for Hamilton they were likely hoping they were looking at their stud defenceman of the future but the back end is still jittery and error prone. They need a big minutes guy who can make plays and isn't error prone.

Hamilton is 24. He can still be (and I fully expect he will be) groomed into a great defenseman.

[Toonage]

I'm convinced that this team shouldn't make any major trades at this point.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

We have Ferland on the top line, Tkachuk on the second, Bennett on the third, Hathaway on the fourth and Gio on the back end. There's plenty of grit. The coach's system just doesn't value playing gritty.

Same, as noted by Enoch Root, with speed. The coach wants a slow, patient game. The system inherently inhibits our speed.

I completely agree that our mix of players is not right for Gulutzan's system. A good coach, however, would adapt his system to get the most out of what he has. Our coach stubbornly just keeps trying to pound that square peg into the round hole.

Why can't both be contributing factors? I don't know why these arguments are so binary.
In my view, this team, relative to most good teams, doesn't have enough good skaters.The coach's system may be amplifying that but it doesn't take away from the fact that several of the top players (particularly up front) are simply not fast.
And in my view this team, relative to most good teams, doesn't have enough grit. Again, the coach's system may be part of that, but I also think if you look at the basic attributes and history of many of the core players - I don't think one can assume that a new coach would materially change how they play the game.

I just don't see how this is ALL about the coach.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Wild GM

Why can't both be contributing factors? I don't know why these arguments are so binary.
In my view, this team, relative to most good teams, doesn't have enough good skaters.The coach's system may be amplifying that but it doesn't take away from the fact that several of the top players (particularly up front) are simply not fast.
And in my view this team, relative to most good teams, doesn't have enough grit. Again, the coach's system may be part of that, but I also think if you look at the basic attributes and history of many of the core players - I don't think one can assume that a new coach would materially change how they play the game.

I just don't see how this is ALL about the coach.

Upgrading the coach might be easier than upgrading the team?

[Resolute 14]

Because we don't know how fast our team - as a whole - actually is, or how gritty. The system does not value either attribute. We have individual pieces that can play with grit. We have individual pieces that can play with speed. But since Gulutzan puts a leash on all of them, what we don't know is how well this team could play a speed game, or a physical game.

[belsarius]

Originally Posted by Gaskal

McLellan was trying to sneak McSaviour into other lines just so Backlund wouldn't slap the handcuff on his wrist.

If there is anything positive I can say about the game plan it was that I thought they did a much better job on controlling McDavid. I thought the 3M line was able to get out there against him a lot and it did force McLellan to constantly rotate. Considering how dominant he has been against the Flames over the last half dozen games it was good to keep him to a single assist

Too bad the defense was so leaking the rest of their team was able to show up.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Wild GM

Why can't both be contributing factors? I don't know why these arguments are so binary.
In my view, this team, relative to most good teams, doesn't have enough good skaters.The coach's system may be amplifying that but it doesn't take away from the fact that several of the top players (particularly up front) are simply not fast.
And in my view this team, relative to most good teams, doesn't have enough grit. Again, the coach's system may be part of that, but I also think if you look at the basic attributes and history of many of the core players - I don't think one can assume that a new coach would materially change how they play the game.

I just don't see how this is ALL about the coach.

I think it is you that is being binary here, to be honest.

I don't think anyone has said that it is all about the coach. But this is a league of parity. There is a very fine line between winning and losing.

If changing the coach (and therefore the style of play) makes them a little bit faster overall, that is probably enough to make the difference.

If changing the coach results in them playing a little grittier, that probably makes all the difference.

If utilizing the players better will cast a slightly brighter light on their talent, that probably makes the difference.

In a league that is this tight, where 19 teams are separated by 8 points between 5th and 24th overall, teams need to be at their best in order to succeed. They need to squeeze everything they can out of their talent, in order to outpace other teams that are trying to do the same thing.

This isn't a league of good. or of try. Or of okay. Only winning matters. And changing large chunks of the roster is almost impossible. But changing the coach, in order to find the right match for the players, is very much possible.

[Classic_Sniper]

Originally Posted by jg13

If there is audio evidence of this that should be cause for a instant firing.

Gulutzan matches lines all the time. Backlund was matched with McDavid all of Saturday’s game. The 1st line is regularly matched up against the opposing team’s top line and that leaves the bottom 6 to be matched with the opposition’s bottom 6. It’s a statistical fact that he buries the Backlund line in defensive zone starts and starts the Jagr line almost exclusively in the offensive zone. There’s shows some strategy right there.

[bubbsy]

Frankly, neither Treliving or Gulutzan will be safe should the Flames have a ball in the draft lottery the day after the season ends (ie. flames don't make the playoffs).

Either the GM takes the hit for mismanaging the team and the assets in/out, or, the coach takes the hit for failing to use a roster the decision makers feel is better than the result, or both are booted.

Lot's of season left, i'm sure this team sticks in the realm of mediocrity, and squeaks into the playoffs in a lower, Away team seeding, against division leading team and gets booted first round in typical Calgary flames fashion over the last 25 years.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

When people say the team isn't ready to play, they don't mean that the guys don't care, or aren't passionate.

I actually think a lot of people do mean this. I know you don't, but a lot of posters I've seen reference passion or fire or energy in the same breath as "not ready to play".

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

very nice post

I just wanted to say that this gets my vote for post of the year.