The trials and tribulations of Glen Gulutzan

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by Wild GM

It sucks to lose to Edmonton but from a rational point of view, the point given up to LA is FAR more meaningful.

In a vacuum, or if one only looks at standings, losing to LA is more meaningful. But in context, losing to Edmonton demonstrates a glaring issue with this team.
The Flames, whenever presented with any sort of hurdle or challenge, whether it's a do-or-die situation or just a mental obstacle...almost always fold on command.

There is zero mental fortitude or killer instinct with this team.

[Saint Troy]

Originally Posted by Table 5

In a vacuum, or if one only looks at standings, losing to LA is more meaningful. But in context, losing to Edmonton demonstrates a glaring issue with this team.
The Flames, whenever presented with any sort of hurdle or challenge, whether it's a do-or-die situation or just a mental obstacle...almost always fold on command.

There is zero mental fortitude or killer instinct with this team.

Certainly true outside of number 19.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by Saint Troy

Certainly true outside of number 19.

He's the one guy who seems to truly have some mental toughness and will rise to the occasion. I'd give him an A starting next season...if not sooner. He may still have his immature moments, but I think giving him that role would motivate him to lead even more.

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

To be fair he's the President not the GM an any critical comments he make could be stepping on Treliving's toes. People criticize Burke for being a blowhard and when he's silent he also gets criticized. Can't have it both ways. We don't want go back to the days of Ken King as President when he was front and center on the airwaves being a mouthpiece.

I was never a big fan of Burke and I'm mostly wondering what happened. He was fairly vocal and provided a lot of strong opinions. I'm assuming someone must have put him in his place and slapped a muzzle on him.

[Classic_Sniper]

Originally Posted by Table 5

In a vacuum, or if one only looks at standings, losing to LA is more meaningful. But in context, losing to Edmonton demonstrates a glaring issue with this team.
The Flames, whenever presented with any sort of hurdle or challenge, whether it's a do-or-die situation or just a mental obstacle...almost always fold on command.

There is zero mental fortitude or killer instinct with this team.

For the most part I’d agree. But I still think there’s too much overreaction going on with all the firing and zero mental fortitude stuff. This is a team that is still ahead of all these teams in the standings and closing in on the Sharks despite a rough start to the season.

We still own a remarkable record after leading going into the 2nd. We haven’t allowed more than 3 goals in regulation for something like a quarter of the season now. I think there’s definitely some positive things and the best thing is. There’s room for improvement.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by Classic_Sniper

For the most part I’d agree. But I still think there’s too much overreaction going on with all the firing and zero mental fortitude stuff. This is a team that is still ahead of all these teams in the standings and closing in on the Sharks despite a rough start to the season.

Standings are great, but do you truly believe this team is mentally ready for the playoffs right now, when the real pressure comes? Do you see this team winning a game 7 under any circumstance?

We're not a terrible team by any means, but we just don't have that mental strength to do anything but be middling. This team needs a General in the worst way...someone who can either inspire belief, or drag them kicking and screaming to success.

[browna]

Originally Posted by calgarygeologist

I was never a big fan of Burke and I'm mostly wondering what happened. He was fairly vocal and provided a lot of strong opinions. I'm assuming someone must have put him in his place and slapped a muzzle on him.

He was on Tim and Sid a couple weeks back and talked for 10 minutes about all sorts of Flames issues.
Not sure why no one local has him on, but at this stage of his career, no one is putting a muzzle on Burke.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Burke - He stated himself long ago that he doesn't intend to do many media availabilities. That is the GM's job, not the President's. How many presidents around the NHL do regular media availabilities? He was just on Tim and Sid not too long ago, btw.

As for the pro and con Gulutzan camps - both have valid points that neither side can dismiss, which makes Gulutzan a bit of an enigma.

Pro side: Flames are in a playoff spot. Points in 11 straight (no easy feat!). Defensive game has come a long way.

Con side: Team seems unable to score. PP is atrocious. Curious use of players/lines at certain times. Even though they just came out of a 7 game winning streak, they allow Buffalo (2nd worst team in the NHL), LA (a team lacking confidence and dropping like a sack of potatoes down an elevator shaft) and the continuous losses against the Flames' biggest traditional rivals.

There are probably a few more points in both categories, but that's the gist of it. I don't think either side can be dismissed as 'crazy' here. Both sides have key points.

I myself find Gulutzan underwhelming. I find the lack of scoring troublesome. I don't think this team generates enough offensively - not enough really good chances anyway (and no, I am not thinking that the high danger chances that the Flames seem to routinely have more of than the opposing team is right - I see Smith having to make more crazy saves than the opposing goalie most nights).

I do think that in staying in a playoff position makes it difficult for management to replace him. I do think that the 7 game win streak has probably made him 'safe' for the rest of the season. I do not, however, have any confidence that this team will take that proverbial next step under his coaching, nor do I think that this team will do well in the playoffs.

I see no real reason to fire him exactly, but I can't help but feel that coaching isn't such a strong component of the Flames at the moment, and that I do hope for an upgrade in that area. I also do think that the Flames are benefiting from a rather weak Pacific division.

I do think that given their lack of scoring, the Flames could probably benefit from opening up their defence a bit. They have the horses on the back end to provide scoring, but instead of doing so, they are being utilized to just plow the field. The back-end consists of 3 guys that can create a tonne of offence, 2 guys that have contributed in the past at a decent rate, and a rookie. They can all skate and move the puck well. I think they need to be included more in every zone (and it seems they have started to be in the last segment of games, so maybe I am complaining for nothing here). Every defencemen's numbers are down across the board except Hamilton's. I think the Flames should look at how the Predators utilize their back-end, and modify their system to help.

People point at the PP as being the major issue with the team's success right now. While that is absolutely crucial, I do think that this team simply doesn't generate enough offensively, and when they do, they seem to have lost their composure and often just miss the net or shoot it right into a goalie's pads or crest.

Has to be a better balance offensively and defensively. It is very encouraging to know a team can dig-in and win those defensive low-scoring games - 1-0 and 2-1 games. I just don't see it as a recipe for success with any team long term. You have to find a way to score in this league, not just keep pucks out of your own net. If you can't do BOTH, you are probably not going to get too far.

[Duffalufagus]

People on this forum need to get real about the notion that Gully is getting fired or that it was, at any point since he was hired, even a remote possibility. This team is 9 games over .500. They are in a playoff position.

It is almost as if people think organizations just fire guys when things don't go exactly the way they want them to. that is not how you run a business or pro sports team. continuity matters.

How many coaches have been fired this year? Zero. But, after every game around here, people are predicting or asking that we fire our playoff team coach. It is total nonsense and isn't going to happen. Guess what else? the 7 game win streak didn't save his job either. He was here for the entire year, no matter what happened. If this team tanked like the Oilers, maybe he gets let go in the offseason. If another more experienced coach comes along in the offseason the team may look at that.

But he was never even remotely in jeopardy of losing his job in season. I know its fun to play armchair GM, but at least try to do it somewhat realistically.

[Joborule]

Originally Posted by Duffalufagus

Guess what else? the 7 game win streak didn't save his job either. He was here for the entire year, no matter what happened. If this team tanked like the Oilers, maybe he gets let go in the offseason. If another more experienced coach comes along in the offseason the team may look at that.

But he was never even remotely in jeopardy of losing his job in season. I know its fun to play armchair GM, but at least try to do it somewhat realistically.

You cannot say for absolute certainty that he wouldn't have gotten fired if the team performed under .500 during that stretch. What if it was a 7 game losing streak? Still wouldn't be fire according to you? Unless your Treliving himself, I doubt that there was absolutely zero risk that he wouldn't have been fired. There was a lot of heat on the team, and the coach at that time.

At the time the team was in a position that they have to muster up a streak to get back into the race. They did that, and now have at least muster up points still to remain in a playoff spot. At this point, considering how late into the season it is, and the playoff push officially starts now, he's safe from this point on.

The team overall has been okay. They've gotten the first goals in most of the games, have kept the puck out of their net for the most part also. The issue with this team presently is their inability to utilize their PP opportunities, lack of finishing scoring opportunities, and finishing games/killer instinct in general. They will be getting Frolik and hopefully Versteeg into the lineup soon. Things could be better than what the previous four games have delivered.

With Versteeg coming back soon, perhaps the PP will improve tremendously, and address the team problem of killer instinct. Although I'm of the opinion that with or without him, the PP should still be able to function much better than they have. Both the first and second unit should be threats to score on the PP. Not just one player. As long as they keep the same coach (Cameron) and run the ineffective structure they're running, the PP is gonna remain mediocre, and it will hinder the Flames ability to gain more victories.

[Hot_Flatus]

Originally Posted by smiggy77

The whole emotions argument is so dumb. You have no idea what happens behind closed doors. All you care about is what you see on TV, the guys are not watching TV during games and practices. Bob Hartley was a gem to the media but behind close doors, most people hated him.

If you think GG walks into the room and is like "lets go have fun" or "better luck next time boys, we'll give it a go", or his mannerisms with the team is "boring" like on TV, you are absolutely out of your mind.

I must have hit a nerve, you seem to have gone bonkers over nothing. I think the argument you're making that nobody has a clue what's going on in the room is beyond obtuse if you're going to go down that road.

The fact we saw such a drastic response from the team for two weeks after Gulutzan blew his lid at practice is a clear indicator that the team is not responding to the everyday rhetoric of this staff. Combine that with the predictable, ineffective PP and finish to games lately and your basically wearing blinders if you assume GG is getting through to the boys or riding them like coaches we've seen in the past.

[zamler]

Originally Posted by Duffalufagus

People on this forum need to get real about the notion that Gully is getting fired or that it was, at any point since he was hired, even a remote possibility. This team is 9 games over .500. They are in a playoff position.

It is almost as if people think organizations just fire guys when things don't go exactly the way they want them to. that is not how you run a business or pro sports team. continuity matters.

How many coaches have been fired this year? Zero. But, after every game around here, people are predicting or asking that we fire our playoff team coach. It is total nonsense and isn't going to happen. Guess what else? the 7 game win streak didn't save his job either. He was here for the entire year, no matter what happened. If this team tanked like the Oilers, maybe he gets let go in the offseason. If another more experienced coach comes along in the offseason the team may look at that.

But he was never even remotely in jeopardy of losing his job in season. I know its fun to play armchair GM, but at least try to do it somewhat realistically.

You know all of this how? Almost like you have info only the GM does.

[kukkudo]

Originally Posted by Duffalufagus

People on this forum need to get real about the notion that Gully is getting fired or that it was, at any point since he was hired, even a remote possibility. This team is 9 games over .500. They are in a playoff position.

It is almost as if people think organizations just fire guys when things don't go exactly the way they want them to. that is not how you run a business or pro sports team. continuity matters.

How many coaches have been fired this year? Zero. But, after every game around here, people are predicting or asking that we fire our playoff team coach. It is total nonsense and isn't going to happen. Guess what else? the 7 game win streak didn't save his job either. He was here for the entire year, no matter what happened. If this team tanked like the Oilers, maybe he gets let go in the offseason. If another more experienced coach comes along in the offseason the team may look at that.

But he was never even remotely in jeopardy of losing his job in season. I know its fun to play armchair GM, but at least try to do it somewhat realistically.

Lol and you know this how? If the team had there 1st pick and maybe there second pick I would believe you. If he got fired Cameron or Gelinas would of replaced him as Interim anyway.

[smiggy77]

Originally Posted by Hot_Flatus

I must have hit a nerve, you seem to have gone bonkers over nothing. I think the argument you're making that nobody has a clue what's going on in the room is beyond obtuse if you're going to go down that road.

The fact we saw such a drastic response from the team for two weeks after Gulutzan blew his lid at practice is a clear indicator that the team is not responding to the everyday rhetoric of this staff. Combine that with the predictable, ineffective PP and finish to games lately and your basically wearing blinders if you assume GG is getting through to the boys or riding them like coaches we've seen in the past.

Not really obtuse when none of us knows what happens behind closed doors, unless you specifically have an inside into the room or been hanging out with the boys getting collecting their thoughts.

I'm not saying whether or not GG is getting through or not to the boys or riding them or not. I'm saying that when you make a statement saying "Now this is a group clearly starving for some emotion, passion again and they aren't getting it from the staff or leadership group nearly enough," that is not a fact, it's a hypothetical and a baseless argument.

When someone argues that the reason for the Flames win streak was based on a stick throw, that is the definition of wearing blinders.

[Duffalufagus]

Originally Posted by Joborule

You cannot say for absolute certainty that he wouldn't have gotten fired if the team performed under .500 during that stretch. What if it was a 7 game losing streak? Still wouldn't be fire according to you? Unless your Treliving himself, I doubt that there was absolutely zero risk that he wouldn't have been fired. There was a lot of heat on the team, and the coach at that time.

At the time the team was in a position that they have to muster up a streak to get back into the race. They did that, and now have at least muster up points still to remain in a playoff spot. At this point, considering how late into the season it is, and the playoff push officially starts now, he's safe from this point on.

The team overall has been okay. They've gotten the first goals in most of the games, have kept the puck out of their net for the most part also. The issue with this team presently is their inability to utilize their PP opportunities, lack of finishing scoring opportunities, and finishing games/killer instinct in general. They will be getting Frolik and hopefully Versteeg into the lineup soon. Things could be better than what the previous four games have delivered.

With Versteeg coming back soon, perhaps the PP will improve tremendously, and address the team problem of killer instinct. Although I'm of the opinion that with or without him, the PP should still be able to function much better than they have. Both the first and second unit should be threats to score on the PP. Not just one player. As long as they keep the same coach (Cameron) and run the ineffective structure they're running, the PP is gonna remain mediocre, and it will hinder the Flames ability to gain more victories.

I can say that I would have bet a lot of money that a seven game losing streak would Not have resulted in him getting fired in season. Exhibit A: TMac. You don’t just fire a guy mid season when there is no long term solution to replace him. To what end? And the Flames probably don’t want to pay three coaches this year either.

[Duffalufagus]

Originally Posted by zamler

You know all of this how? Almost like you have info only the GM does.

Common sense.

[Duffalufagus]

Originally Posted by kukkudo

Lol and you know this how? If the team had there 1st pick and maybe there second pick I would believe you. If he got fired Cameron or Gelinas would of replaced him as Interim anyway.

No chance the Flames fire Glen so they can put Marty or, lol, Cameron in for
The last three months. Again, to what end? What would
That accomplish? They would look like total amateurs and a joke if they did that.

[Joborule]

Originally Posted by Duffalufagus

I can say that I would have bet a lot of money that a seven game losing streak would Not have resulted in him getting fired in season. Exhibit A: TMac. You don’t just fire a guy mid season when there is no long term solution to replace him. To what end? And the Flames probably don’t want to pay three coaches this year either.

Who's to say that the coach they could've replaced him with wouldn't be a long term replacement? And even if it wasn't, why couldn't it be a short term solution? Why does it have to be only long term?

By your logic, there's never a reason to fire a coach mid-season. Which makes no sense at all, and has happened every season.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Joborule

Who's to say that the coach they could've replaced him with wouldn't be a long term replacement? And even if it wasn't, why couldn't it be a short term solution? Why does it have to be only long term?

By your logic, there's never a reason to fire a coach mid-season. Which makes no sense at all, and has happened every season.

I'm not sure there will be any coaches fired this year (mid season).

[Joborule]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

I'm not sure there will be any coaches fired this year (mid season).

Possible, which is a distinct anomaly. I'm not sure if there's been a season in the past, say, three decades that a coach wasn't relieved of their duties during it?

Point still stands that teams have done it before, and yielded positive results. Penguins is a obvious example. Even Blackhawks technically.