The trials and tribulations of Glen Gulutzan

[scotty2hotty]

I’m hoping for the rare ‘coach fired after a win’ scenario tonight.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

I know it's tough when surrounded by all the insults you throw around, but your actual words were that the coach wants "a slow, patient game".

The coach wants the team to play slow are you actual words. The coach wants the team to not play fast in favour of playing slow. That is the meaning those words convey.

Which is ####ing stupid. There isn't a coach at any level of hockey that wants their team to be slow.

He can lead you to a sentence, but he can't make you understand it if you don't want to.

By 'a slow, patient game' he is saying that Gulutzan wants the team to slow the play down sometimes. It doesn't mean that he wants them to be slow skaters. I know that you can see the difference between those things, and that you are just being purposely obtuse, but the conversation would be a lot more interesting if everyone tried to be mature about it and try to understand what other posters are saying, instead of changing their words and then attacking the new, false, narrative.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

I'm curious about whether the off-season decision to shift into Win Now gear was strictly a hockey decision, or if the direction came from on high in the hopes a playoff run would drive up support for publicly funding a new arena. Teams don't typically trade away multiple firsts and seconds in a short span unless they're on the cusp of really contending for the Cup, or owners are meddling in hockey decisions.

If Treliving genuinely felt that this team is a Cup contender, then yeah, sputtering in mediocrity is failure. If the team is out of a play-off spot after Christmas, he may need to replace GG to try to salvage the season.

I highly doubt that Treliving is managing the team based on conspiracy theories.

There is plenty of talent with this roster. And looking around, it's not like the Pacific isn't there for the taking. I don't think management was wrong to think that the team could jump up into contender status this year, and no, I don't think it has anything to do with an arena.

But yes, I do agree that he is going to be under increasing pressure if the team continues to sputter.

[Tron_fdc]

Here's something that has been bothering me, and I guarantee you will see this tonight.

Why are the Dmen slap shotting the puck around the boards from behind their own net instead of using a breakout? We have plenty of skill, so what's the point in doing this? Is it a zone entry thing?

To me it should be a last option, but how many times do the dmen stand there behind our net looking to pass it to a forward on a breakout, only to take a slapper around the boards to a winger at the red line trying to tip it in and avoid the icing? Then we forecheck looking for a turnover, which this team doesn't seem able to do. All we are doing is turning the puck over IMO.

Maybe a "systems guy" can enlighten me here, because with all the skill we have on the back end we should be skating it out or (gasp) maybe making a pass like a skilled team on the breakout would do.

[redforever]

Originally Posted by Classic_Sniper

For everyone here that wants Gulutzan fired, has anyone thought of the potential for everything to go off the tracks? It took time for this team to adjust to the new system, so having to re-adjust to another system in between games could be disastrous.

Also, what happens if the turnovers, bad penalties, poor special teams and the lack of scoring depth continues as well? Then what? It's not like all of these issues were Gulutzan related. It seems like everyone wants GG gone because the team is supposedly not reaching its supposed "potential." Well, I remember hearing similar things in 15-16 when the team acquired Hamilton and we were suppose to be dominant. Then we missed the playoffs and Hartley was canned and now here we are in a similar situation.

Does Treliving sit on the hot seat then? Do we start trading off assets and start another rebuild? It just seems to me at the very least, that firing a coach mid-season and hoping on a prayer that the next guy will be magically better isn't exactly a levelheaded decision. We're in the thick of a playoff race and it just seems more likely that havoc would ensue if we create needless instability?

Problem is, I don't think the team has adjusted to GG's system.

[Moneyhands23]

Originally Posted by redforever

Problem is, I don't think the team has adjusted to GG's system.

Im not sure they have figured it out yet

[soulchoice]

Originally Posted by Tron_fdc

Here's something that has been bothering me, and I guarantee you will see this tonight.

Why are the Dmen slap shotting the puck around the boards from behind their own net instead of using a breakout? We have plenty of skill, so what's the point in doing this? Is it a zone entry thing?

To me it should be a last option, but how many times do the dmen stand there behind our net looking to pass it to a forward on a breakout, only to take a slapper around the boards to a winger at the red line trying to tip it in and avoid the icing? Then we forecheck looking for a turnover, which this team doesn't seem able to do. All we are doing is turning the puck over IMO.

Maybe a "systems guy" can enlighten me here, because with all the skill we have on the back end we should be skating it out or (gasp) maybe making a pass like a skilled team on the breakout would do.

Normally such a play like this is used to offset an opponent with a strong forecheck. Basically its known as a RIM breakout system, however the forwards have to ensure they can receive/move the puck to gain zone entry or chip it past the dman who may be pinching in.

Its puzzling the Flames employ this, as they do have the skill to make direct passes. In addition that if the forward manages to chip or deflect it past the defender, they still are not an imposing forechecking team.

[Bawbag]

Yet more great defensive play tonight and executing the "the system" perfectly

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by soulchoice

Normally such a play like this is used to offset an opponent with a strong forecheck. Basically its known as a RIM breakout system, however the forwards have to ensure they can receive/move the puck to gain zone entry or chip it past the dman who may be pinching in.

Its puzzling the Flames employ this, as they do have the skill to make direct passes. In addition that if the forward manages to chip or deflect it past the defender, they still are not an imposing forechecking team.

It's interesting you post that because I think what we're seeing is the RIM when it's not working effectively.

I believe the play is mostly about the winger along the boards directing the feed from the defender to the centre leaving the zone.

What the leafs' capitalized on big time was leaving the defender largely to their own devices and quickly enveloping the board-side winger, forcing them to either chip it over the blueline where the strong side leaf defender was waiting, or to make a low percentage play to the centre leaving the zone who is also quickly converged on by the strong side leaf defender and F2.

Part of the problem is the Flames centres lack speed to serve as an effective deterrent on an aggressive forecheck, but I think the biggest issue is missing wingers with the skill to counteract this board pressure. I think this is why you saw in the Leaf game Ferland having issues getting the puck out, but why you rarely see gaudreau having similar issues.

Same thing happened in the Columbus game.

I think it's a big reason why Jagr has been able to keep a strong +/- is that he is an incredibly effective player at doing either the blueline chip or the short pass to the emerging centre. When it goes up his side of the boards the Flames are rarely in trouble.

[soulchoice]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

It's interesting you post that because I think what we're seeing is the RIM when it's not working effectively.

I believe the play is mostly about the winger along the boards directing the feed from the defender to the centre leaving the zone.

What the leafs' capitalized on big time was leaving the defender largely to their own devices and quickly enveloping the board-side winger, forcing them to either chip it over the blueline where the strong side leaf defender was waiting, or to make a low percentage play to the centre leaving the zone who is also quickly converged on by the strong side leaf defender and F2.

Part of the problem is the Flames centres lack speed to serve as an effective deterrent on an aggressive forecheck, but I think the biggest issue is missing wingers with the skill to counteract this board pressure. I think this is why you saw in the Leaf game Ferland having issues getting the puck out, but why you rarely see gaudreau having similar issues.

Same thing happened in the Columbus game.

I think it's a big reason why Jagr has been able to keep a strong +/- is that he is an incredibly effective player at doing either the blueline chip or the short pass to the emerging centre. When it goes up his side of the boards the Flames are rarely in trouble.

Correct the RIM breakouts effectiveness is the ability for the receiving forward to either retrieve the puck and move it. Be it behind the defender as a chip. Take the pick himself, or as you mentioned direct it to the centre. Growing up and playing the system occasionally, my experience is the effectiveness lies with the forwards puck movement.

Agreed on the forechecking of the Flames. Which is why I'm puzzled with the choice of this use of the Rim system it also is known as a lazier breakout for the defenseman. Furthermore as your comment on the centre speed, that is def an issue for the Flames on the rim system as well. It's imperative for the centre to have speed for this sort of option. Being the centre is usually the one circling back or staying slightly behind for a breakout and the last to leave the zone for the forwards.

[btimbit]

Done with him

[N-E-B]

Three straight games against bottom-5 teams and they get one win.

Terrible. And hate to say it, Treliving needs to take some blame too. He hired this coach and assembled this blue line.

[JurassicTunga12]

Time for this coaching staff to go. Gulutzan, Cameron, Jerrard and Sigalet.

[Machiavelli]

^^ They haven't lost this one yet.

Just saying

[Resolute 14]

Down 3-1, just gave up two, a referee manufactures a phantom call on you. Might be time for the coach to get angry. Show some emotion. Maybe stand up for his team a little?

LOL, jk. Not with this coach.

[Bawbag]

He is a complete toothless idiot.

How can you coach a professional team and show no emotion

[Jbo]

Now that I am firmly in Fire him camp, who do we see replacing him. Cameron interim and then?

[Red_Baron]

Probably living in the past but I hope that Treliving is on the phone with Darryl Sutter as we speak.

[home_sweet_dome]

Are all the koolaid drinkers finally ready to get their heads outta the sand, eat a plateful of crow, and finally admit the FACT that GG is no good or will you guys continue to dispute this and insult those of us that have been saying this for a long time now?

[TheScorpion]

It's time to clean house, please.