The trials and tribulations of Glen Gulutzan

[mikeecho]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

I hope you’re right. Right now he’s having a hard time cracking a rather pedestrian lineup.

I’m guessing that changes once Stajan knocks off game 1,000 from the to do list.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by drewtastic

Been following this thread & I can’t say that I’m either a GG detractor or a GG booster, but I am definitely frustrated with the coaching carousel that has been this team’s M.O. since the early ‘90s (its been 13 coaches in 28 years! -not counting Al MacNeil’s brief interlude-14 with that.)

I guess I agree most with posters who say that if GG is fired, then the Flames better damn well make sure they get the right guy. Another HC change with potentially another “system” for players to learn is an exhausting prospect to consider as a fan—I can’t imagine what that’d be like as a player (although as an employee who once endured 5 admin chances in 12 years, I have some idea of the level of disruption...)

And while I agree that the Treliving discussion is slightly off topic, I think GG’s tenure must also be assessed with respect to the players he’s been given. Sure, there are valid arguments about their deployment and development under GG’s watch, but I don’t think he can be blamed for things like how tender-soft these guys are overall, especially in their own zone and in front of their own net. There are only a few guys on this roster who can find that next level of “compete”, and amongst those who can’t, I’m not sure if coaching can instill such instinct. Maybe it can...

As an aside, I made a new rule for myself after January: if the game is boring or repetitive (no matter how well the flames are playing) after the first period, I find other things to do. This is the first time in my entire Flames fan tenure (~35 years) that I’ve been so “meh” about the team (including the young guns era). I turned it off immediately after the botched 5 on 3 because I’ve seen that movie too many damned times this season. Was not surprised to see the final boxscore this morning.

If you go to Wal-Mart and buy a $5 pair of shoes you'll find yourself going back and repeating that transaction fairly frequently.

You might think that you found the 'Diamond in the Rough' or 'Hidden Gem' in terms of value for money, but you would be more than likely mistaken.

And yet here we are. In line. At Wal-Mart. For our $5 shoes.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

I hope you’re right. Right now he’s having a hard time cracking a rather pedestrian lineup.

Only because Stajan and Lazar are actually playing fairly well, and Brouwer makes $4.5 million a year.

[monkeyman]

Originally Posted by Psytic

Playoff revenue will offset that easily. If he can get us futher than GG its money well spent.

This team has pissed away potentially tens, if not hundreds of millions of dollars in playoff revenue over the last 30 years due to poor choices and poor management. Yet, they continue to do the same things over and over and over.
Honestly, is there any wonder they have to resort to civic welfare to remain competitive in one of the top hockey markets in the world?
What is the old saying, save a penny, spend a dollar?
Flames should trademark spend a penny, lose a dollar, and then ask someone to give you 1000 just so you can stay competitive or you'll take your dollar and spend it somewhere else.

[drewtastic]

Originally Posted by Locke

If you go to Wal-Mart and buy a $5 pair of shoes you'll find yourself going back and repeating that transaction fairly frequently.



You might think that you found the 'Diamond in the Rough' or 'Hidden Gem' in terms of value for money, but you would be more than likely mistaken.



And yet here we are. In line. At Wal-Mart. For our $5 shoes.

You take that back!! I LOVE my Reeborcks!! (AND my Nikeys!)

[calgarywinning]

For this Management team firing the coach will give them an extra year of mediocrity to blame on learning the system or the new process.

[dustygoon]

I think GG could be a great assistant. Obviously analytical. Can play the player relations good cop better than bad cop (how do players not chuckle a little when he loses his shinguard and throws sticks?).

He just doesn't seem to have the right amount of intuition/gut and strong leadership qualities.

[Ashasx]

GG really needs to be fired immediately after game 82. None of this waiting several weeks like Hartley. The search needs to begin and we can't let the good opportunities pass this team by again.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by calgarywinning

For this Management team firing the coach will give them an extra year of mediocrity to blame on learning the system or the new process.

I think it is worth doubling down on this core but I do believe that in addition to a new coach their need to move a Dman for a key offensive piece.

[Itse]

Originally Posted by drewtastic

Been following this thread & I can’t say that I’m either a GG detractor or a GG booster, but I am definitely frustrated with the coaching carousel that has been this team’s M.O. since the early ‘90s (its been 13 coaches in 28 years! -not counting Al MacNeil’s brief interlude-14 with that.)
.

What happened over a decade ago has nothing to do with now.

Median stint for an NHL head coach is 2.5 seasons. Hartley was here for four seasons, Brent Sutter for three. Gulutzan is about to reach 2 seasons.

There is no coaching carousel here.

[calgarywinning]

Yeah, the Carousel was 300 klicks north!

[NewFan]

In my amateur view there are few things I don't like GG coaching and his system. This is just my opinion.
- Before GG the flames were hardworking young team. The players physical preparation was very high. They were faster and harder than other teams players. That's why they had more energy in the 3rd period when other team is already tired and it helped come back many times. Brody was so fast in own zone that he can skate and get puck 1-2 second earlier and had more time to make good decision before a fore checker comes. Now I see more player gazed so much in the end of his shifts. D always has a trouble from fore checkers and forwards can't do good forecheck. Specially GG's current system needs fast players but he doesn't demand players that. He always talk about short practices or optional practice in game day. I guess players like that.
- There is no internal competition in the team. Some players never demote or promote in result of their play. If 3 or 4 line player plays better than 1 or 2nd line player he should promoted and play more minutes. Players must earn playing time. If Brody plays bad Kulak should play 2nd pairing in couple games until Brody plays better. Even we are losing 8-0 players must play hard for the next game play time. Now we are behind 2 goal, most players checked out as they don't care as they know there is no change in his playing time for the next game. Brouwer Stajan Lazar know they never will play more.
- I think GG don't use his players effectively. GG should try many line combinations earlier. I can understand there are some combinations he wants to keep but that makes the team predictable. I'm sure GG still doesn't know how Tkachuk will play with Gaudreau or Hamonic with Giordano. Earlier in the season he should try many lines to get some special line combos that he can use in special moments. When you need to depend or when we need score. Shorting bench lines? I see some teams when they need goals they use 2-3 lines using their best players. But these team keep rolling 4lines as they don't have other options.
- GG not good a game reader. Don't try to change game flow. Time out, Line match, double shift, benching, goalie change are used not much. Looks like don't talk much behind bench too.
- And last one I think he should give to some players very clear tasks or directions to clear their heads. Specially young players needs an advice how to play or what is expected from him. Jankowski, Bennett And Lazar looks like lost in some games. Just give them simple tasks. Like Get the puck, give to him and get to open place and shoot. Jankowski played much better with Jagr, may be Jagr said what he should do when he plays with him.

[redforever]

Originally Posted by Badgers Nose

That’s my point. GG is squandering one of Smith’s best years. Smith sees the clock ticking on his career has a great season and somehow we get these results.

This team should be Much better. We have a few of the NHLs best players. They need a coach to match the talent of the roster. GG is the coaching equivalent of Troy Brouwer.

Great comparison.

[Shazam]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

GG really needs to be fired immediately after game 82. None of this waiting several weeks like Hartley. The search needs to begin and we can't let the good opportunities pass this team by again.

This team is paralysed by over-analysis. At every level. And KK is a chaotic element that further prevents rapid decision making.

Don't be surprised if GG is back next season.

[bigrangy]

The Flames have 2 of the top 3 forward lines by icetime this season, and two of the top 4 defense pairs by icetime

The top 6/4 has not been shaken up at all which is crazy considering the lack of success the team has had. What they have now is not working and yet they don't change anything

Unreal

[btimbit]

Fire him ffs

[Buff]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

GG really needs to be fired immediately after game 82. None of this waiting several weeks like Hartley. The search needs to begin and we can't let the good opportunities pass this team by again.

The search can begin without firing him. They don't want to fire him and then there wind up being nobody available that is better than Gulutzan, then we'd be stuck with a worse coach.

... no I'm not drinking, I just wasn't thinking.

Yeah, I'm on board with immediately firing Gulutzan. My only stipulation is that Cameron goes with him. I don't have enough opinion on the rest of the coaches to know if they're worth firing or keeping, but I wouldn't be heart broken if the rest of them were fired. Maybe Gelinas, but I don't want to stick with the ol'boys mentality so, if that's what needs to be done, so be it.

[Shazam]

I haven't been impressed with Gelinas as a coach at all. If anything he seems overwhelmed when he's interviewed on the radio.

[Infinit47]

What's the over/under on how many "GG has been fired" threads are created on April 1st.

[4X4]

Originally Posted by Infinit47

What's the over/under on how many "GG has been fired" threads are created on April 1st.

Good question. I hope I have enough thanks for all of the threads.