The trials and tribulations of Glen Gulutzan

[erikk3]

Every day I wake up and tremble with fear knowing there's a possibility I might get bullied on the internet that day.

[Corral]

The fire GG crowd is cut from the same cloth as the dump Sam Bennett crowd ... no patience knee-jerk reaction fans.

For the record - the only core member of this team I have advocated for shipping out of town is Dougie Hamilton. I remain of that view, but have softened my stance as it would appear we are stuck with him (and weirdly his brother)

[theg69]

I don't advocate internet bullying... But I can certainly see why a lot of people are getting sick of the narrative some posters keep posting (Again not critical of the people who are posting but the actual content of the posts).

I am definitely ok with criticism of the coach but when people start saying things like they won despite the coach or he was outcoached but bailed out by a couple of players - this is when it starts getting ridiculous.

If anything, he has managed the last 3 games very well - I will give examples of even the last game - even strength - the Bennett-Janko line had almost as much ice time as the Johnny line (indicating he could tell how Johnny was struggling) and rode the 3M line hard with ice time (and guess which two lines came through in the third). Another one is actually pairing Brodie with Stone a little more often down the stretch. Another adjustment didn't work - but he tried Janko on the point on the pp and took Brouwer off. Lastly, for everyone critical of his emotion - he lost it at the refs when they called Gio for his penalty.

To say he is out coached last 3 games I would say is laughable - for the advanced stats nerds - it was like 65-35 last night with the 3M line controlling 75 percent of the play (and guess who got the top minutes again).

Again, I am NOT a GG apologist - I am critical of his Brouwer PP usage and usage of the fourth line under critical situations. That being said, he is starting to use his 3M line more after goals for me against as well as in the final minutes of periods/games - and also trying to insulate the fourth line by playing them with Gio-Hamilton.

What people also fail to realize is this is GG's third full season as a head coach in the NHL - he is obviously still learning - much like we do early on in our jobs. What I am looking for is some progression - and I can see that in terms of his adjustments. I stand by my belief that he is an average coach but has room to grow. It also doesn't mean that if a top tier coach became available, that we shoudn't consider replacing him either.

Sorry for the long post, but had to get this off my chest - the forum is starting to become borderline unreadable with the negativity - and I think people have to differentiate between negativity and criticism.

To be honest, you can dislike the coach as much as you want, but keep it rational - the posts I don't mind are the ones that lays out evidence and arguments (ie. The posts comparing Hartleys team vs this GGs team). I may not agree but find that it adds a lot more to the conversation.

[Infinit47]

Originally Posted by Corral

The fire GG crowd is cut from the same cloth as the dump Sam Bennett crowd ... no patience knee-jerk reaction fans.

For the record - the only core member of this team I have advocated for shipping out of town is Dougie Hamilton. I remain of that view, but have softened my stance as it would appear we are stuck with him (and weirdly his brother)

100 games isn't a knee jerk reaction, especially when the same problems continue to plague the team. The Flames have taken 5 of 6 points on a very tough three game stint, and so the fire GG crowd have toned it down. Have the Flames turned a corner? Have they found a way to play consistently under GG? I hope so.

Perhaps the 1-3 homestand will be the low point of our season. If so that's fantastic, as we have lots of season left to solidify a playoff spot and move up in the standings.

However, if we continue to see the up and down Flames that we've seen under GG's tenure then the "fire him" crowd will be vocal again, myself included.

[chedder]

From theg69:

"What people also fail to realize is this is GG's third full season as a head coach in the NHL - he is obviously still learning - much like we do early on in our jobs. What I am looking for is some progression - and I can see that in terms of his adjustments. I stand by my belief that he is an average coach but has room to grow. It also doesn't mean that if a top tier coach became available, that we shouldn't consider replacing him either."


Agree with this. So the question is, if this team's window is just starting, why did Treliving make this hire? What we need is the experienced guy that can extract everything he can out of this group.

[Freeway]

Treliving hired Gulutzan because they see the game similarly, in terms of believing in a style of play that can be successful in today's NHL.

[Manhattanboy]

While GG may be off the hot seat for now the Flames’ special teams are brutal. Cameron should be replaced immediately.

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by Manhattanboy

While GG may be off the hot seat for now the Flames’ special teams are brutal. Cameron should be replaced immediately.

They've been trying to shuffle square pegs into round holes with the absence of both Versteeg and Jagr, both mainstays on either powerplay unit.

[SportsJunky]

What inside information do the posters who say "GG bought himself some time with that last win" or "GG is off the hot seat" know that the rest of us don't? Was GG about to get fired? Treliving was going to fire his guy a quarter of the way through the season with a winning record?

It's not as improbable as it was when people were screaming for Gulutzan's head last year but I would be surprised if it happened.

[VilleN]

Given the team’s improved play the last few games, I’m surprised the tone of this thread hasn’t changed much... I’ll give credit where it’s due: Bennett is playing much better, the 3rd line is looking fantastic- Janko has really thrived under GG so far. We look good lately, might be too early to say we’ve turned a corner... but at least give the coach some credit if you’re going to tear him apart when we’re losing. If losing is attributable to coaching, so is winning.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Robbob]

Originally Posted by Manhattanboy

While GG may be off the hot seat for now the Flames’ special teams are brutal. Cameron should be replaced immediately.

Every dip in performance shouldn't result in a coaching change. Maybe givin them a chance to work through things would be prudent and less knee jerk reactionary. The pp before Versteeg went down was hitting on 25% for a stretch. I think a lot of people underestimate what he brought to the unit.

[DazzlinDino]

Thought this was a great game overall especially against a rival!. Nice to see Bennett and Tkachuck raising their games to another level. These two guys are capable of driving the team and are just starting to dominate. Johnny and Monahan are exciting to watch. I think if we can get this team, believing and internally driven they can do a some serious damage!

Good to see GG showing some emotion, trying new things and getting more involved (not to say he wasn't before). The leader is plugged in and connected. Nice to see him feeling it and celebrating at the end. GG was jumping up and down while the assistant coaches are still in a state of introversion! Get with the program boys!

Go Flames Go!

[IgiTang]

Originally Posted by Corral

The fire GG crowd is cut from the same cloth as the dump Sam Bennett crowd ... no patience knee-jerk reaction fans.

For the record - the only core member of this team I have advocated for shipping out of town is Dougie Hamilton. I remain of that view, but have softened my stance as it would appear we are stuck with him (and weirdly his brother)

I love me some Bennett and am very glad things are turning around for him and he is the last player the Flames should consider trading.

As for GG, I think any numpty coach can get the results we see now with this inconsistent version of the Flames.
I would like a coach who can take this team to the next level in terms of preparedness and Better systems play defensively and on the PP.
I do think Smith over handles the puck and that’s is messing up the defensive structure. Guys are just unsure of what’s going to happen when Smith comes out of the net. I think that could be better managed by the coach as well.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Stay Golden

Out coached again tonight very little forecheck put in play. 1 shot on 4 PP. Truth is the tenacious Bennett Janko shift bailed him out. Good late win fir tge players, poorly coached.

I will just quote my earlier post.

Originally Posted by dissentowner

No because the posters who hate on GG are not going to change their mind no matter what. The team could win out the rest of the regular season and win 16 games in a row to win the SC and they would still be saying we should have won every game from the start and GG is a bad coach. Nothing you say, no amount of Flames success, or any common sense in general is going to change that.

[monkeyman]

This team is certainly playing better, especially defensively, but there are still some disturbing trends that are not being addressed.
First, the start. this team again started slow and unprepared.
Second, the first line. This line is playing soft with too many behind the back and blind passes that end up going the other way. Monahan and Ferland are two big bodies who refuse to throw a single check or even muck it up a little. Think of the room they'd create for Johnny by throwing the odd hit now and then.
Third, the special teams. The special teams looks terrible, whatever the plan is to enter the offensive zone, it's not working. They should reconsider the rush and backhand drop pass in the neutral zone, especially against a team that likes to line up along the blue line. It's ineffective.
Fourth, the passing and decision making is not sharp. Too many slow developing plays, delayed and errant passes. I remember Hartely saying he liked to practice at a fast pace so his players would be used to it for games. I'm betting GG does not share this philosophy.
Fifth, this team does not work hard enough. They did for the third period last night and it payed off, but they don't do it on a regular basis, instead trying to rely on pretty passes and finesse.

Bottom line, with the talent they have, they should be beating teams missing several of their regular forwards and playing their backup goalie, but you're kidding yourself if you think this team has solved all of its glaring deficiencies. They haven't, and until they do, they will continue to struggle to find consistency and elevate themselves to that next level, which is what GG was brought in to do.

[Manhattanboy]

Down by a goal with a full two minute power play to start the third and both PP units could not even enter the zone against an inept VAN defense let alone get a shot. Unless there are major changes to special team coaching this team will underachieve.

[Bonecrushing Hits]

Brouwer with 3:23 of pp time last night to Michael Stone's 0:15 is absurd. If there is one thing about GG that makes me question his capability or lack thereof it's night after night of this.

[Fire]

If it was up to some fans, each team would go through 3 or 4 coaches a season.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by Fire

If it was up to some fans, each team would go through 3 or 4 coaches a season.

Not true at all.

[Fire]

Originally Posted by jayswin

Not true at all.

lol ok.