The trials and tribulations of Glen Gulutzan

[Calgary4LIfe]

There are 31 teams in the league, and there are 31 preferred coaching destinations in the world.

With that being said, coaches like Darryl Sutter and other more recently heralded coaches can pick and choose what teams they go to.

If I am a coach that is more or less universally acknowledged as being among the best, I would also take my time to find the best situation for myself. One bad pick, and suddenly you might find yourself at the bottom of the heap again. Darryl was a good coach when he went to LA, but remember all the media outlets giving their take on him? How he was a 'dinosaur' and that the modern game has passed him by? 2 Stanley Cups later, and I would say he is back near the top of that heap.

So, what does this mean to Calgary? If I am an up and coming coach, Calgary has to be tempting right now. Young team that is (more or less) trending up, with an elite defensive corps, an elite defensive center/line, and a fairly deep roster. That's the first thing I look at.

Second thing I look at, is the organization and how they treat coaches. If I know the people there, if I get along with them, how much autonomy I have.

Why did Babcock go to Toronto? It wasn't simply the huge bag of cash. It was a team comprised of some interesting pieces up front, and a respected managerial team. It is a good opportunity for a coach to get into and build something.

I think Calgary is somewhat the same here. If the Flames decide to move on from Gulutzan during the off-season, I don't doubt that they would be one of the more attractive destinations for a head coach to come to.

Calgary and even Carolina have to be two of the more interesting/attractive organizations to come to. Edmonton and Buffalo with how poorly designed their teams are would make me think twice. Ottawa and how the team is managed (budget team, uncertainty in the direction they are headed in) is probably pretty low on my list. Minnesota if Boudreau is fired is unattractive to me with a bit of an aging roster. Arizona is a team I avoid at all costs, unless I am more interested in golfing than coaching.

There are probably 3 or 4 teams in the NHL that I think make an attractive landing spot for a head coach right now. Calgary has to be on that list given their roster, how they are trending, the current managerial team, etc. Maybe Calgary isn't as 'fun' of a city as others are, but if I am a head coach, I make sure that I try to go to a team that I think I can get to the next level, and isn't that dysfunctional as to ruin my reputation and future opportunities.

[DazzlinDino]

Originally Posted by Locke

Again, something that gets on my nerves.

Why would Brouwer have to tell his coach, someone who sees him play every single day, to do this? Gulutzan should know that already.

Gulutzan's brain should have been screaming: "Get Troy Brouwer off the ice ASAP!!!"



I'm not advocating firing every coach after every little mistake. But take that win streak away and this team was teetering on the edge and I'd bet Gulutzan was hearing footsteps.

I'd also guess that the lack of qualified replacements is a large part of why Gulutzan is even still here at all.

And finally, its not because he made 'a' mistake, its the nature of that mistake in conjunction with his other issues that have dogged him over the season.

I dont like the idea of just firing coaches for whatever reason, but Gulutzan is hanging by a thread and rookie mistakes like this are rapidly filling up the 'Fire Him' column.

Wish he would have just come out and said. "that one is on me!".

[mikephoen]

Originally Posted by Major Major

Lots of assumptions going on here. We really have no clue if he's close to being fired or ever was. The only thing indicating that to you is your own perception of how the team has played.

And what if that winning streak were actually a winless streak? Just think about it people.

This article is from a year ago, but it outlines how the NHL fires more coaches than any of the other major N. American leagues. Basically, every coach in the NHL is close to being fired 90% of the time.

https://www.sbnation.com/nhl/2017/2/...gerard-gallant

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Major Major

98 point pace with room to grow and 36 games left. Essentially exactly where I thought they should be. If your issue is the lack of line change, excellent gripe! If you've extended to the usual line of "I was looking forward to a dream season where we were above the pack of good teams and had no stress over playoffs," then simply adjust your expectations to something along the lines of reality. Boom, no more outrage!

Can disappointment just be disappointment or does it have to be outrage?

[Locke]

Originally Posted by DazzlinDino

Wish he would have just come out and said. "that one is on me!".

Ditto. Because at least then you could be reasonably assured that he saw it, acknowledged it and it wouldnt happen again.

I've used the term 'learning on the job' a few times in reference to Gulutzan but I think thats one of the things that aggravates me the most.

He isnt.

Hes making mistakes on the job. Not acknowledging them or learning from them and then repeating them. Thats the inexcusable part.

How many times have we heard: "We just werent ready!"

Well no #### Gully, guess whose job it is to have the team ready?

Thats what really gets me, he doesnt acknowledge or rectify his mistakes.

"Just stick to the system. The results will come."

And he may not be entirely wrong, but there is no such thing as some magical, mystical system that when executed perfectly will guarantee wins every night. There has to be a degree of flexibility for adaptation.

Nope. Stay the course. Know 'The System.' Trust 'The System.' Love 'The System.'

[burn_baby_burn]

Originally Posted by kukkudo

How do you know its not a desirable coaching destination?

I guess I’m assuming since big name coaches or proven coaches never come here. Bad weather, high cost of living, high taxes, Canadain market (pressure), losing tradition, cheap owners, are all possible reasons for taking other options when you have a good coaching resume. The reason I threw cheap owners in there was in reference to you mentioning getting out the cheque book. They must not be, or we would see bigger names behind the bench from time to time.

[Classic_Sniper]

Originally Posted by Hot_Flatus

Why do you need to have a right handed center out there when the alternative is Brouwer? A slow turd that has no chance in outplaying O'Reilly. Toss handedness out the window when it comes down to putting a completely inferior player on the ice in such a critical situation.I'd rather have anyone on the roster, even Matt Stajan out there in that situation and the fact that Gulutzan and co feel otherwise is highly concerning.

I'm with everyone who thinks Brouwer has been terrible with this team. But at the same time, I also understand Gulutzan's rationale of playing a right handed faceoff man on his strong side. Obviously he wanted to entrust Brouwer with some important minutes and key situations because of his improved play as of late but Brouwer failed. Poof, there goes any trust he's gained. But I'm still convinced this team still needs a better right handed faceoff man or actually effective players instead of wasting picks and assets on more slow players or resurrection projects like Lazar.

[colbym72]

If we can just "take winning streaks away" can we also take losing streaks away to fit a narrative?

[kukkudo]

Originally Posted by burn_baby_burn

I guess I’m assuming since big name coaches or proven coaches never come here. Bad weather, high cost of living, high taxes, Canadain market (pressure), losing tradition, cheap owners, are all possible reasons for taking other options when you have a good coaching resume. The reason I threw cheap owners in there was in reference to you mentioning getting out the cheque book. They must not be, or we would see bigger names behind the bench from time to time.

Good points.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by colbym72

If we can just "take winning streaks away" can we also take losing streaks away to fit a narrative?

It doesnt matter. They cancel each other out and the narratives are irrelevant other than:

9 Game point streak. Where does that have us? Clinging to a playoff spot by our fingernails.

Perhaps that might have something to do with playing like dogcrap earlier in the season?

[mikeecho]

Originally Posted by Locke

Just sheer amateur hour.

This is the thing: I want to like Gulutzan. I really do. I want to be 100% behind my team's coach.

But its impossible when he does things like this.

It makes you wonder if it really was it a mistake? Does he really know better but for some reason didnt do it?

My major concern is that the NHL isnt a League with Training Wheels. These decisions have consequences so you have to wonder if its naivete or inexperience and trust in his players or what the deal was.

IMHO, one of his biggest flaws is that he seems like an over thinker in really straight forward situations. Sure, every coach wants to look for ways to get an edge, but sometimes the easy common sense decision is the best decision.

[Classic_Sniper]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

Monahan, Bennett, Stajan, Jankowski - they all have better face-off winning % than Brouwer. I don't care about handedness, Brouwer had lost two straight face-offs and Gully used him AGAIN - despite the fact he'd been on the ice for a minute and a half straight.

Even if Brouwer wins that face-off - what's the plan? Brouwer straight to the bench? Or was he planning to keep using him in the 4v4? So you're choosing to play the worst player on the team in 4v4 hockey while he's north of 90 seconds into a shift?

There's no defending leaving Brouwer on the ice. It was a coaching decision that directly led to the team losing the game.

The problem with this team continues to be generating offense. Lines 2-4 settle for low quality shots that generate nothing, which puts all the burden on Gaudreau's line to generate scoring chances. I'll agree that the roster is flawed, but only as flawed as the system that preaches "50/50" hockey during 5v5 play. The team doesn't generate offense 5v5 at an acceptable rate...they also don't generate offense on the PP at an acceptable rate.

Like I said in my above post, the reasoning was clear that Gulutzan wanted a right handed faceoff man on the his strong side. Obviously his trust in Brouwer now has likely evaporated.

I agree with you that the bottom lines need to generate more offense because we’re really relying on a few guys to win us games here. That’s why I’ve been adamant that this team improve player depth through trade. We don’t have a deep forward group and it’s not even a flawed system in my opinion. These guys are generating enough chances, but just not burying enough. That’s on the individuals.

[colbym72]

Originally Posted by Locke

It doesnt matter. They cancel each other out and the narratives are irrelevant other than:

9 Game point streak. Where does that have us? Clinging to a playoff spot by our fingernails.

Perhaps that might have something to do with playing like dogcrap earlier in the season?

Thats what this era of the NHL is every year. Vegas screwed everything up, otherwise this team is in a pretty secure spot. The Flames are in a position to control their own destiny and with how tight the standings are everywhere, that isnt a bad position to be in. The Flames probably only have to go 19-15-1 to get in. That is pretty reasonable and doable.

[Major Major]

Originally Posted by nik-

Can disappointment just be disappointment or does it have to be outrage?

Well, that's the word I quoted you using. If it's not what you meant, maybe use different words? Not sure what I'm supposed to do with that.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by Locke

It doesnt matter. They cancel each other out and the narratives are irrelevant other than:

9 Game point streak. Where does that have us? Clinging to a playoff spot by our fingernails.

Perhaps that might have something to do with playing like dogcrap earlier in the season?

By my count, 7 teams at this point are comfortably in a playoff spot. The rest are in a dog fight or out of it.

So the question is did we think the Flames would be among the top 20% of the league that appears to be performing above the rest of the pack? Or did we think they would part of the pack itself.

My expectations were always the latter, but it seems like at the core that's part of what this is about.

[SportsJunky]

Some days we are at Stage 14 around here.

Stage 14: Fire everyone
Seriously. Everyone who had anything to do with this has to go. That includes the coach, his entire staff, the trainers and the sports psychologist. Does this team have a sports psychologist? You’re honestly not sure, but if they do, he’s terrible and needs a pink slip. Same with the scouting staff, the player-development people, the mascot and the organist.
And good lord, let’s not even get started on the GM. He needs to be the first one out the door. After all, he’s the one who built this roster, which anyone with half a brain knew was going to be bad on opening night. Everything that’s gone wrong has his fingerprints all over it. Fire him and everyone who looks like him, and then fumigate the office so that the loser-cooties can’t spread to whoever replaces him.
As for who that replacement might be… well, what about somebody from the best team in the league right now? Surely they’d want to abandon a Cup contender to come work for a team that’s terrible. Yes, that sounds like a plan. Somebody find their number.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/g...team-terrible/

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Wild GM

By my count, 7 teams at this point are comfortably in a playoff spot. The rest are in a dog fight or out of it.

So the question is did we think the Flames would be among the top 20% of the league that appears to be performing above the rest of the pack? Or did we think they would part of the pack itself.

My expectations were always the latter, but it seems like at the core that's part of what this is about.

I think we dont draft until the 4th round in 2018? I think thats your answer.

Significant assets were expended, I dont get the impression that this was part of management's anticipation to just be part of the pack dogfighting for the last playoff spot.

[Hot_Flatus]

Originally Posted by Classic_Sniper

I'm with everyone who thinks Brouwer has been terrible with this team. But at the same time, I also understand Gulutzan's rationale of playing a right handed faceoff man on his strong side. Obviously he wanted to entrust Brouwer with some important minutes and key situations because of his improved play as of late but Brouwer failed. Poof, there goes any trust he's gained. But I'm still convinced this team still needs a better right handed faceoff man or actually effective players instead of wasting picks and assets on more slow players or resurrection projects like Lazar.

He might look bettter of late but that second line has been nowhere near as dominant since Frolik went down and it's surely due to the presence of Brouwer as his replacement. Let's also note that Brouwer is rocking a 42% faceoff rate, who was facing off against O'Reilly who nearly leads the league at 62%! You can't convince me that those percentages work out favorably when he had guys like Stajan, Monahan, Jankowski all hovering around 50%, who despite being lefty's can least compete with the other team once the puck is dropped.

If Gulutzan is that easily swayed to put Troy Fricken Brouwer out there in OT, with the game on the line, ahead of just about every other player on the team, then he should be directing fans to seats alongside Edna in the press level sections.

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by SportsJunky

Some days we are at Stage 14 around here.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/g...team-terrible/

For all the vitrol Gulutzan has gotten since last night, I haven't seen too many "fire him" posts. We're just all really mad about it.

This team can still be top 3 in the Pacific, but they absolutely need to win the last 2 games remaining in the season vs each of LA and SJ to give themselves a solid chance. Splitting probably won't cut it, and with the Central the way it is now, it's not looking likely that the Wild Cards are available to the Pacific teams.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by Locke

I think we dont draft until the 4th round in 2018? I think thats your answer.

Significant assets were expended, I dont get the impression that this was part of management's anticipation to just be part of the pack dogfighting for the last playoff spot.

That's not how I would answer the question.
The assets were not spent on short-term rentals for 1 year. Rather they were largely spent
- To address the #1 need on the team (goaltending) that was going to otherwise prevent the team from having any chance of competing
- To bring in a guy, in the prime years of his career, as an addition to the core.

The value of those deals and the assets spent extend beyond this year. I think they were brought in to kick the window wider - but I don't think they move the Flames into the true upper echelon.

On paper do I think the Flames are one of the best 5 teams in the NHL? No.
Did I think would be securely in a playoff spot at this point? No.

When I look at the teams near and around the Flames it seems to me they all have similar talent levels and flaws.

So i'm not sure why people expected them to be way further ahead at this point. I just don't see it based on the roster assembled.