The trials and tribulations of Glen Gulutzan

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Racki

I've said it before and I'll repeat it. I appreciate the coach's defenders because they have something I lack - patience.

However, deep down I think even they know that we have the wrong coach. He has coached all the creativity out of this team. Even the wins are boring.

It's fine to preach patience but when game 82 rolls around we will be on the outside looking in and at that point I know that all of us in here will be left to wonder what could have been if we'd had an actual NHL coaching staff.

To make matters worse, Garth Snow, the most maligned GM of the past decade will use our first round pick in the NHL entry draft because we mortgaged the future for this version of our beloved Flames. Let's hope that lottery ball doesn't take a miraculous hop like it did for New Jersey and Philadelphia last year.

I agree with this. I totally understand why his supporters want to believe he's doing a lot of good and the advanced stats are show better possession than under Hartley. That said I am going to give them the benefit of the doubt that they have watched enough hockey over their lives and seen enough teams to realize deep down that this isn't working out and that it's not likely ever going to work out. In almost 1.5 seasons he's coached this team to a below .500 record in regulation and again I will give his defenders the benefit of the doubt to realize that's not indicative of a coach or team that is moving in the right direction.

His situation is not really a lot different than Brian Elliott last season. Like Gulutzan a great guy that you really wanted to succeed. I really wanted him to work out and defended him a lot during the season even though deep down inside I could see he was not going to be the long term fix for the Flames goaltending situation. It played out as his detractors predicted much as I feel Gulutzan will play out as I don't expect him to be the coach of this team next season.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by GeoRock

This is an odd argument. So we should be fine to watch our team consistently underperform? We are 10/15 in our conference and currently sitting out of a playoff spot 1/3 into the season after pulling in the 'best D on paper' this summer. Clearly there are many teams that are consistently better than the flames this year.

Sent from my SM-G950W using Tapatalk

To be fair, when I wrote that they were not out of the POs. But the point is that they were not going though the roller coaster that was suggested, and they had avoided the funks the team used to have (especially off the top of the season).

It's pretty clear his "system" works when executed. The players said exactly that and referenced his hard skate a week or so ago as the reason they tightened up their play and started to perform better. It's also clear that they are not yet committed to it. Last night the second period was super flat.

I agree the PP needs to be better (really it's the major complaint right now that I agree with). But I don't actually agree with the folks who say a big point shot is the easy fix. Or that Brouwer is a huge problem. I think they just are not sending enough pucks at the goal on the PP as a result of overpassing and taking too long to make a decision with the puck. It's too easy to defend a slow puck moving PP.

One thing that I think is funny - if you did have a point shot based PP, you want Brouwer in front. He's better at screening than anyone else because of his size (both height and weight).

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

To be fair, when I wrote that they were not out of the POs. But the point is that they were not going though the roller coaster that was suggested, and they had avoided the funks the team used to have (especially off the top of the season).

It's pretty clear his "system" works when executed. The players said exactly that and referenced his hard skate a week or so ago as the reason they tightened up their play and started to perform better. It's also clear that they are not yet committed to it. Last night the second period was super flat.

I agree the PP needs to be better (really it's the major complaint right now that I agree with). But I don't actually agree with the folks who say a big point shot is the easy fix. Or that Brouwer is a huge problem. I think they just are not sending enough pucks at the goal on the PP as a result of overpassing and taking too long to make a decision with the puck. It's too easy to defend a slow puck moving PP.

One thing that I think is funny - if you did have a point shot based PP, you want Brouwer in front. He's better at screening than anyone else because of his size (both height and weight).

You know Dallas Eakins system worked when executed. The reason he's no longer coaching in the NHL is that he lacked the other intangibles required to lead his players to believe and stick with his system on a consistent basis. All we have ever heard over the past couple of seasons is "when the system is executed". I think we have to start realizing that most coaches employ systems that when executed can lead to success in this league and the difference between the top coaches and the average/mediocre coaches is the ability to motivate the players to consistently execute which has been an ongoing issue with this coaching staff.

[Ashasx]

GG could very well have a great system, but his poor game management, player preferences, and special teams (which I will ultimately give him responsibility for) are making it difficult to see anything but.

[Lanny_McDonald]

GG=NG

Treliving, do your job and bring in a damn coach with a clue how to motivate a team and get everyone on the same page. The defensive coverage of this team is questionable, and the PP is horrible. When you have the talent level on this team there is no excuse for not having a lethal PP. This is quickly moving from a coaching problem to an overall management issue. If this team fails to make the post-season, the GM will have to fall on his sword.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

You know Dallas Eakins system worked when executed. The reason he's no longer coaching in the NHL is that he lacked the other intangibles required to lead his players to believe and stick with his system on a consistent basis. All we have ever heard over the past couple of seasons is "when the system is executed". I think we have to start realizing that most coaches employ systems that when executed can lead to success in this league and the difference between the top coaches and the average/mediocre coaches is the ability to motivate the players to consistently execute which has been an ongoing issue with this coaching staff.

I don't know about Eakins' system. After all - he liked the swarm defence which never works in the NHL.

I agree that a good system is only step one and the Flames have not executed it on an ongoing basis. The bag skate was credited by the players as reinforcing the system and tightening up their play in the previous 4 games. The question is whether GG can and will be able to have them maintaining it. last night was a step backwards, at least in the middle period (keeping in mind the Sharks are pretty good and played a great road game).

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by New Era

GG=NG

Treliving, do your job and bring in a damn coach with a clue how to motivate a team and get everyone on the same page. The defensive coverage of this team is questionable it's been really good the last few games, and the PP is horribleagreed. When you have the talent level on this team there is no excuse for not having a lethal PP. This is quickly moving from a coaching problem to an overall management issue. If this team fails to make the post-season, the GM will have to fall on his sword Not going to happen - he will just fire the coach with a year left on his contract.

[Flamenspiel]

^^I don't think GG finishes the season. Although Tre runs the team, Burke has fired coaches mid-season and will step up to insist on it at some point if this continues. If it gets to a point where the perception is that you have nothing to lose in firing the coach, then you fire the coach. The players are certainly to blame as well, but I would hate to see a panic trade made that could damage the franchise long term.

Lou Lamorello(someone that Burke considers a mentor), and one of the greatest GMs in NHL history, fired coaches mid season many times. There is nothing surprising or exceptional about it, its a very disposable position. I would not be surprised if the Flames are looking around and asking questions.

[redforever]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

You know Dallas Eakins system worked when executed. The reason he's no longer coaching in the NHL is that he lacked the other intangibles required to lead his players to believe and stick with his system on a consistent basis. All we have ever heard over the past couple of seasons is "when the system is executed". I think we have to start realizing that most coaches employ systems that when executed can lead to success in this league and the difference between the top coaches and the average/mediocre coaches is the ability to motivate the players to consistently execute which has been an ongoing issue with this coaching staff.

Another difference between top coaches and mediocre coaches is they have systems that compliment their roster, thereby foregoing the need to motivate their players because of a system that doesn't compliment their roster.

[Racki]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

You know Dallas Eakins system worked when executed. The reason he's no longer coaching in the NHL is that he lacked the other intangibles required to lead his players to believe and stick with his system on a consistent basis.

Gulutzan is our Dallas Eakins. I sent a text to a friend of mine that is an Oilers fan after last night's game. I said, "you know how with Dallas Eakins that no matter how many times you were told that he was one of the brilliant young minds in the game - you just knew he was never going to be the guy? That's how I feel about Gulutzan."

This is who we are under Glen Gulutzan. He just doesn't move the needle. Excellent person, smart hockey guy but not a head coach. I don't think he ever will be, at least not in this league.

[Racki]

Originally Posted by Flamenspiel

^^I don't think GG finishes the season. Lou Lamoreillo (someone that Burke considers a mentor), and one of the greatest GMs in NHL history, fired coaches mid season many times. There is nothing surprising or exceptional about it, its a very disposable position. I would not be surprised if the Flames are looking around and asking questions.

Hell, Lou damn near fired coaches mid game. Usually appointed himself the coach for the rest of the year. You could be right about Burke. He cannot be happy with the make up and direction of this team. I could see him forcing a move on Treliving and giving the old Cowboy a call to see if he wants to come back to work.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by redforever

Another difference between top coaches and mediocre coaches is they have systems that compliment their roster, thereby foregoing the need to motivate their players because of a system that doesn't compliment their roster.

The system compliments the roster just fine, if the players execute it like they did the second half of last season they are dominant.

[redforever]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

The system compliments the roster just fine, if the players execute it like they did the second half of last season they are dominant.

The problem is they can't execute the system consistently and even last season, it was really only for a short stretch when we had better goal tending.

If you insist on playing a system that does not provide consistent results, the system is no good.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

The system compliments the roster just fine, if the players execute it like they did the second half of last season they are dominant.

So roughly 66% percent of the time Gully has been the coach, the players on the roster have been unable to execute his system correctly?

...how exactly do you fix that?

[CroFlames]

The Flames are 2 points out of a playoff spot with Christmas around the corner. There is no time for patience anymore. SJ and MIN have games in hand.

Missing would be disastrous because of the lack of picks in 2018.

You need to salvage this season somehow, and I think the answer is firing the leader. Sometimes players respond when they are traded and start playing better. Sometimes a team starts playing better with a mid-season coaching change.

This season is too important to stand back and hope it comes together. You must act NOW before the gap becomes too big. Chicago is playing much better of late and the Ducks are playing their way up the standings. Everyone keeps banking on Vegas "coming back down to earth" but I don't buy that. They are what they are, and they will make the playoffs.

[Racki]

I know that the analytics tell a decent story but my eyeballs sure don't.

What I see in the vast majority of games - we run around like lunatics in our own end. We finally move the puck up and are stalled in the neutral zone. Then we go back to our own end and run around again. Every so often those short passes turn into a decent rush and we get a scoring chance. Lately we haven't buried a whole lot of those.

Maybe the possession numbers look good because we don't give up as many total shots when we're stuck in our own end but we sure seem to spend a lot of time and energy running around back there chasing the game. Many of the shots are grade A and B chances.

[bubbsy]

As we approach the mid-point of the season, my frustration with the coach has 3 primary reasons:

1) Utilization of Defense - If one looked at the flames roster, and stack rated the players as far as current NHL Impact/effectiveness level (not potential, prior ability, etc), it's obvious that Giordano, Hamilton, Brodie, Hamonic, and perhaps Stone would be make up the upper level of the list. However, in practice, the flames are not getting near enough from their back end. Up until the last half dozen games, they seemed lost defensively, and for basically the whole season, they have been below expectations in offensive contribution. The point positions have been a major area of contention on the power play all season. The second pairing hasn't really clicked, the top pairing doesn't seem to be at the levels they were last year..... I understand things not clicking as far as pairings or special teams go. However, the complete and utter lack of trying something different straight up pisses me off. Enough with brodie on the top pp unit, enough of the current d pairings. They don't look good, half the season has wasted away, and this coaching staff is getting "WORSE than the sum of their parts" results from this defense. The rigidness and stubbornness is sure making the management and coaching staff look pretty stupid in my opinion.

2) Powerplay - the way they gain the zone (99% bump back to gaudreau), the way the play the pass/catch game between brodie/gaudreau until gaudreau is left with the "shoot, cross seam" options, is NOT working. How many weeks has it not worked now? How many weeks until they decide to do something different?? Brodie sucks as a PP qb. He doesnt' skate the puck into the zone, he can't/won't shoot the puck, he isn't some great offensive visionary with decent play making ability. He's offensively inept and lacks instincts to play the point position. We have 2 players much better suited to play a PP point, and have had success at the NHL in that role their entire careers, yet Gio/Hamilton basically are stuck with PP garbage time. Again, coaches looking stupid in their rigidness/stubbornness. Try something different already geniuses.

3) Team fragility - This team starts games nervous, especially big games, rivalry games. Lot's of teams have a sub-par PP, yet this team goes on to give up a goal within 5 minutes of having a terrible PP. Things avalanche so easily when the first bad thing happens. that 2nd period last night was just another classic example of how, unlike most half decent teams that can have a few shifts where they struggle, perhaps several minutes, this team is fully capable of not showing up for entire periods of time.

I'd throw line matching, as another thing out there but i'm fed up just typing thus far.

This team may win a few more games than they will lose this season, and may get that last division spot, but it's looking more and more likely that it's a wild card spot at best. Once they do, i have absolute zero confidence that this coaching staff could go into a 7 game battle against another team and win a series given the above major flaws.

Gulutzan looks like one of those guys that's just better suited to be an assistant. It was a bad higher by Treliving. Unfortunately, the GM has got to be scrutinized for the decisions made going into this season.

[SportsJunky]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

So roughly 66% percent of the time Gully has been the coach, the players on the roster have been unable to execute his system correctly?

...how exactly do you fix that?

Is it not possible that they executed the system but lost? Is a system infallible?

[dammage79]

Always said Treliving will hang on his coaching hire. Sometimes I wonder if it would do the coaches good to sit in the pressbox for a game or two and watch from afar to see why their personnel deployment choices are failing.

Where I hang my hat on Gulutzan AND his coaching staff as failures is how the lose the match up battles at Hime constantly but when it's out of their hands on the road the team wins. It's a tell all for me. And for that reason I'm leaning towards wanting this coaching staff axed ASAP so maybe the season can be salvaged before losing more home games crushes the season in which we have no draft picks.

[Classic_Sniper]

Would anyone here be opposed to loading up the PP? As in replacing Brouwer and Ferland with Tkachuk and Backlund and playing them for 1.5 minutes? The PP is so stationary any way so it's not like these guys break too much of a sweat. Backlund has also registered a shot over 100mph and Tkachuk down low would be a considerably better net front presence than what we have now.

I've noticed lately that the PP2 unit is having trouble just entering the zone and getting setting up, so that's a waste of PP time right there and I think it'd be a better use of time to load up and play one dominant unit like Washington does with Ovechkin.