Should the Flames fire Gulutzan?

[Tinordi]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

Since Gulutzan changed the system from "Narrowly losing" to "Narrowly and sometimes impressively winning" i've become a big fan.

Need a little bit more of the 'winning' game prep and systems play, a little less 'shooting wide of the net on a set play' systems.

I much prefer Cameron's "Completing passes on the powerplay system." The old system of "one too many incomplete passes" just wasn't doing it for me.

This is all true but none of these systems match Hartley's system where the Flames spot the opponents a two goal lead and score one late in the third and score another with the goalie pulled to go on to win in overtime.

[Itse]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

Since Gulutzan changed the system from "Narrowly losing" to "Narrowly and sometimes impressively winning" i've become a big fan.

Need a little bit more of the 'winning' game prep and systems play, a little less 'shooting wide of the net on a set play' systems.

I much prefer Cameron's "Completing passes on the powerplay system." The old system of "one too many incomplete passes" just wasn't doing it for me.

I would also much prefer to not have him take so long to figure out what's wrong in the future.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by Itse

I would also much prefer to not have him take so long to figure out what's wrong in the future.

You mean like adding an entire 3rd line to the roster more than a month into the season?

Interesting, I would like to subscribe to your newsletter.

[Robbob]

Originally Posted by Tinordi

This is all true but none of these systems match Hartley's system where the Flames spot the opponents a two goal lead and score one late in the third and score another with the goalie pulled to go on to win in overtime.

Have we even scored a goal with our net empty in the dying minutes? I don't think we have. I guess that is also the issue with the system when you are tied or winning in the majority of the games at the end of regulation.

[Pellanor]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

I have noted before that Gulutzan is fairly criticized for line deployment and player usage, and I think some of these decisions are part of a process in his own development as a NHL head coach. It cannot be easy to find a balance between sensible distribution and timely deployment.

However, I also wonder if his line deployment is also part of a much longer view of the season, than merely on a game-to-game basis. When you take a look at the Time on Ice leaders in the NHL there are a handful of forwards playing a ridiculous amount—well upwards of 20:00 per game. The Flames's ice time leader is Michael Backlund, and he lands way down the list at #42. I do wonder if Gulutzan's insistence on reducing the minutes of his top-line players, and providing a greater balance with an increase to time played by his fourth line is part of the process to ensure that by mid May and amid a long playoff run, Johnny Gaudreau, Sean Monahan, Backlund and Matthew Tkachuk are not completely bagged, or minimally, are just a little fresher than the top players from the other team.

So, yes, it looks odd and seems counterproductive at times now, but it may prove to be a good strategy later.

When Jagr was first signed he talked about young players trying to peak in camp to make the teams, and veterans trying to peak in the playofffs. I think this applies to the team too. While the fans may have wanted to see the Flames crush the oilers in the season opener (and I know I did), it makes more sense for the team to play the long game and aim for playoff success.

That idea has helped me stay patient and kept me in the "No" camp. The Flames stayed in the playoff bubble, even when they had their poor stretch. They took their time trying out different line combinations rather than jumping if there wasn't an immediate result. Rolling four lines keeps the wear and tear down on the top players.

Sure after some games it was hard to stay optimistic, but they're playing well now. I'm looking forward to watching the team continue to make small incremental changes which will hopefully lead to a deep playoff run.

[Firebot]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

Since Gulutzan changed the system from "Narrowly losing" to "Narrowly and sometimes impressively winning" i've become a big fan.

Need a little bit more of the 'winning' game prep and systems play, a little less 'shooting wide of the net on a set play' systems.

I much prefer Cameron's "Completing passes on the powerplay system." The old system of "one too many incomplete passes" just wasn't doing it for me.

Best of all, i have yet to see a drop pass on the power play, in what, 3-4 games now?

The zone entry is making a world of difference keeping it simple and simple entering the zone with numbers, rather than have Brodie roam at center ice for 10 seconds to find a way to drop pass to Gaudreau to go 1 on 4 and kill off 30 seconds just to gain zone entry.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Firebot

Best of all, i have yet to see a drop pass on the power play, in what, 3-4 games now?

The zone entry is making a world of difference keeping it simple and simple entering the zone with numbers, rather than have Brodie roam at center ice for 10 seconds to find a way to drop pass to Gaudreau to go 1 on 4 and kill off 30 seconds just to gain zone entry.

whoosh.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Firebot

Best of all, i have yet to see a drop pass on the power play, in what, 3-4 games now?

The zone entry is making a world of difference keeping it simple and simple entering the zone with numbers, rather than have Brodie roam at center ice for 10 seconds to find a way to drop pass to Gaudreau to go 1 on 4 and kill off 30 seconds just to gain zone entry.

a. Brodie never"roamed for 10 seconds" looking for a drop back to Gaudreau.
b. The idea isn't to go 1 on 4 - it's to let the primary distributor look for the best opening after the opposition has moved to defend. It's like when receivers run to the line and then back off in football - you scout the defence.
c. The Flames still do it. Like most other teams.
d. Only better than most - Gaudreau rarely fails to enter or find a guy open at the blue line.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

This whole thread is an embarrassment, and it always has been.

This is very poor form relative to the great discussion that's taken place on both sides of the argument. I've been extremely disappointed in the moderator comments in regards to the coaching debate in the last year.

Maybe it's because of Bingo's stance on the subject, I don't know, but you guys have been incredibly snarky and needlessly trollish and combative towards the segment of the board that hasn't approved of the job Glen Gulutzen has done.

You can infract me if you want but in addition to that I'd hope maybe you guys would also reflect on this a little, as well. It may not be your true intentions, so maybe you guys can tone these types of posts a little as it's very unbecoming.

This is the type of stuff (especially Jiri's comments earlier in the thread) that you guys as a team preached as a no go for this site in an effort to clean things up and encourage people to post in a positive manner.

[Robbob]

In light of seeing some of the teams around the Flames starting to go on extended losing streaks, I think GG should get credit for it not getting out of control. The Flames longest losing streak this season is 3 games, which they have done three times. In all of those 3 game losing streaks they lost one game in OT so gained a point. Essentially had a chance to keep the streak from hitting 3 games. They have never gone more than 2 games without getting a point.

Three 3 game losing streaks (picked up a loser point is each set)
Three 2 game losing streaks (picked up a loser point in one of the sets).
Five 1 game loss

one Seven game and counting winning streak
two 3 game winning streaks
Four 2 game winning streak
Four 1 win games

[Hockeyboy2]

Haven't we only lost one 7 game set this season? I know that was a Darryl Sutter KPI so I guess he would be happy with the results.

On the other hand I think emotion plays such a party of hockey for fans, I cannot help but be much more gravitated towards both Darryl Sutter and Bob Hartley than I am for Glen Gulutzan.

From a results standpoint I would say no he should not be fired, but man something is missing, some key intangible that I cannot put a finger on and I would not be able to come up with it even if anyone asked me.

An X factor that Glen Gulutzan just does not have and people might even say its ridiculous that I am holding him accountable for that.

[Duffalufagus]

This thread is all kinds of lmao. There was never any chance, at any point between Oct ‘16 and now, that Tre even considered firing Gully.

[Hockeyboy2]

Originally Posted by Duffalufagus

This thread is all kinds of lmao. There was never any chance, at any point between Oct ‘16 and now, that Tre even considered firing Gully.

Fans emotions are too close to the guns on their hips. Reactionary, reactionary, reactionary, I would be hypocritical if I did not include myself in this.

[thymebalm]

Originally Posted by transplant99

So would you attribute that more to the coach changing things up, or the players finally figuring it out and doing what has been asked of them within the context of playing his system?

It's both. Maybe Gully didn't change anything more than the way he was delivering the lesson. And maybe that subtle change in the delivery had the players finally figuring out what they were missing.

A team with the skill of the Flames can't ride bad special teams percentages forever, so you probably have to attribute some of it to puck luck as well.

Now I don't think they lethal with the man-advantage yet, but they aren't losing games to poor special teams play like they were just a month ago.

Some of the things that were driving me nuts about this team still do. Smith playing like the best goalie in the league is masking some of the errors in the defensive end, but the team is boxing out players with greater success and the chances are coming from tighter angles that Smith seems to be able to squeeze out.

Defensive systems play can sometimes be chicken/egg on the scoresheet... does Smith have a better sv% because his teammates are making it easier on him or does he's awesome save percentage mask defensive zone problems? I'm not firmly footed in either camp. it's likely some of both.

[thymebalm]

Originally Posted by Duffalufagus

This thread is all kinds of lmao. There was never any chance, at any point between Oct ‘16 and now, that Tre even considered firing Gully.

In fact, last time his team hit the gutter he extended the coaches contract as opposed to firing him.

[Stay Golden]

It appears losing his temper and chucking a stick in practice has worked in Gulutzan's favour. I notice he is much more vocal on the bench with players and the refs.
It is noticeable he has has become far more engaged but what the hell took him so long.
If he keeps this up the team will be better for it. Hopefully he does not turn back into a wallflower again. Resist playing the 4th line late and keep Brouwer off the PP. Resist Gulutzan resist. Still would like Brouwer flipped off the 2nd line for Mangiapane or even Hathaway.

[redforever]

Originally Posted by Stay Golden

It appears losing his temper and chucking a stick in practice has worked in Gulutzan's favour. I notice he is much more vocal on the bench with players and the refs.
It is noticeable he has has become far more engaged but what the hell took him so long.
If he keeps this up the team will be better for it. Hopefully he does not turn back into a wallflower again. Resist playing the 4th line late and keep Brouwer off the PP. Resist Gulutzan resist. Still would like Brouwer flipped off the 2nd line for Mangiapane or even Hathaway.

Who knows, GG might have been talked to by Tre as well.

[Robbob]

Originally Posted by Hockeyboy2

Haven't we only lost one 7 game set this season? I know that was a Darryl Sutter KPI so I guess he would be happy with the results.

On the other hand I think emotion plays such a party of hockey for fans, I cannot help but be much more gravitated towards both Darryl Sutter and Bob Hartley than I am for Glen Gulutzan.

From a results standpoint I would say no he should not be fired, but man something is missing, some key intangible that I cannot put a finger on and I would not be able to come up with it even if anyone asked me.

An X factor that Glen Gulutzan just does not have and people might even say its ridiculous that I am holding him accountable for that.

Here are the segments so far. We did lose one but points picked up in other segments have nearly erased that loss. Potential in this segment to seriously bank some points.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by jayswin

This is very poor form relative to the great discussion that's taken place on both sides of the argument. I've been extremely disappointed in the moderator comments in regards to the coaching debate in the last year.

Maybe it's because of Bingo's stance on the subject, I don't know, but you guys have been incredibly snarky and needlessly trollish and combative towards the segment of the board that hasn't approved of the job Glen Gulutzen has done.

You can infract me if you want but in addition to that I'd hope maybe you guys would also reflect on this a little, as well. It may not be your true intentions, so maybe you guys can tone these types of posts a little as it's very unbecoming.

This is the type of stuff (especially Jiri's comments earlier in the thread) that you guys as a team preached as a no go for this site in an effort to clean things up and encourage people to post in a positive manner.

If Textcritic wasn't a mod, I can't even imagine how many infractions he'd have. He's an incredibly vitriolic poster, but it's all good, cuz mod.

The mod team in general has seemed to have turned into company men over the last 18 months. I mean, how dare a fanbase question the decision making of the vaunted Calgary Flames, they of continual organizational success.

[Major Major]

Originally Posted by nik-

If Textcritic wasn't a mod, I can't even imagine how many infractions he'd have. He's an incredibly vitriolic poster, but it's all good, cuz mod.

The mod team in general has seemed to have turned into company men over the last 18 months. I mean, how dare a fanbase question the decision making of the vaunted Calgary Flames, they of continual organizational success.

Seems fairly hyperbolic to me. Haven't seen anything that could be taken as vitriol. Mind you, I typically agree with him.