Question of the year folks..what is wrong with Gaudreau

[Barnet Flame]

Originally Posted by Frank MetaMusil

The "It's 100% on the players, too many coaches already. Scotty Bowman couldn't coach this team" faction won't like this revelation.

We’ve had a lot of coaches. That is true.

It is equally true that we haven’t had any Scotty Bowmans or anything close to being on that level.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Frank MetaMusil

The "It's 100% on the players, too many coaches already. Scotty Bowman couldn't coach this team" faction won't like this revelation.

Originally Posted by Barnet Flame

We’ve had a lot of coaches. That is true.

It is equally true that we haven’t had any Scotty Bowmans or anything close to being on that level.

The Flames played objectively MUCH better under Peters last year than in any season in recent memory. There were noticeable and obvious tactical changes that worked. I think the players—the group—have their own issues, but I also think that the Flames absolutely need better coaching than they have for now.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

The Flames played objectively MUCH better under Peters last year than in any season in recent memory. There were noticeable and obvious tactical changes that worked. I think the players—the group—have their own issues, but I also think that the Flames absolutely need better coaching than they have for now.

I'm all for getting a great coach. But the flaw in what you just said is that the Flames were floundering under Peters this year - so did he become bad? And I really doubt Ward implements a different system than Peters. First, he's had no time to change it and second, he was the AC hired by Peters, or at least with huge input from him - they likely saw eye to eye on systems.

The reason the last couple games (and a few previous ones like Edmonton and Toronto) were so much better paced is that the players were engaged and focused and thus executed the existing system way better.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

I'm all for getting a great coach. But the flaw in what you just said is that the Flames were floundering under Peters this year - so did he become bad?

It is much more complicated than that. I maintain that Peters is a better tactical coach than Ward, but there were other factors involved which led to the slide this Fall. We can't know, but based on what was reported about Peters it seems likely to me that his personality was wearing very thin with this group of players.

And I really doubt Ward implements a different system than Peters. First, he's had no time to change it and second, he was the AC hired by Peters, or at least with huge input from him - they likely saw eye to eye on systems.

I personally think the change has been quite noticeable. It is possible that some of it was already occurring under Peters as a reaction to how unceremoniously the Flames finished the season last year. But in early interviews with Ward I recall him openly talking about making changes. While he was part of Peters's coaching staff, he was targeted specifically by Treliving; like any good coach working within a hierarchy of course he is going to defer to the boss, even if he wasn't directly hired by him.

The reason the last couple games (and a few previous ones like Edmonton and Toronto) were so much better paced is that the players were engaged and focused and thus executed the existing system way better.

The emotional response was a big part of it, but I still think there are a variety of factors involved, and I maintain that Ward's performance as HC has been pretty average.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Yeah, that's exactly what I said.

Any response to the controlled entry vs. dump in data?

Or sticking with players’ feelings as the main difference

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by DeluxeMoustache

Any response to the controlled entry vs. dump in data?

Or sticking with players’ feelings as the main difference

I put zero stock in players’ “feelings”. In fact I hate the armchair psychology stuff here. Oddly, that’s what some “its the coaching” proponents are saying about Gaudreau: “He’s so frustrated by being a skill player under this system”.

As for the data, it doesn’t necessarily lead to the conclusion you think.

I am saying the dump ins are not being coached. No one coaches dump ins. They are a result of lack of execution on breakouts. Forwards were blowing the zone and the D had to reset, leading to defences being set up and dump ins being the result.

If it was coaching, why the change the last two games? Why was it different in the two games before the last one against Edmonton? Why was it different against TO? I think it was because players were playing properly.

Now - getting the players to execute is part of coaching too. So I’m happy if they get a guy who can motivate them to doing it right - a Trotz or Quenneville lor even a Torts, who always (except Vancouver) seems to figure out how to get his players to maximize their strengths. But I don’t think its something about Ward’s system.

[Always Earned Never Given]

Not enough of this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EXr7b6R_OQ

Man what creativity/confidence to dangle the puck between the goalies pads and stick!

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by Bend it like Bourgeois

There is 0 chance trading him makes the flames better in the next 2 years. 50-50 it ever looks good.

That's just not true. Trading him definitely has a > 0% of improving the team.

[Snuffleupagus]

If seems Johnny is returning to form, maybe the rumor of rib cartilage injury or bruised ribs was a real thing because he's now going to the dirty area's and not going full stop to avoid contact.

[Radio]

Since learning about grampa Gaudreau's passing a week ago and Johnny's renewed joy for the game I am guessing maybe his grandfather was in poor health for a while and that was weighing heavily on him.

I don't profess to know anything about anything, but he's playing like he used to, maybe he's got some closure there. Maybe he's dedicating finishing strong to his grandfather...maybe he's going to win the Stanley Cup for him.

[activeStick]

I got to chatting with a fella while i was having dinner at a hotel bar in Victoria, who happened to be from Calgary. Sounded like he knows a lot of people in hockey and we got to talking about Johnny. He said that his good friend was on the Dad's trip (guest of Lanny) and during one of the games, Guy yelled out in frustration, "F*#%!! Johnny's been terrible all year ever since he got his first girlfriend!!".

[Roof-Daddy]

Haha. Is she from Calgary at least?

[FanIn80]

Originally Posted by activeStick

I got to chatting with a fella while i was having dinner at a hotel bar in Victoria, who happened to be from Calgary. Sounded like he knows a lot of people in hockey and we got to talking about Johnny. He said that his good friend was on the Dad's trip (guest of Lanny) and during one of the games, Guy yelled out in frustration, "F*#%!! Johnny's been terrible all year ever since he got his first girlfriend!!".

Yeah. That would explain a lot. Weird how that works.

[Shazam]

Ah, he's working through a groin injury.

[Canada 02]

Nm

[tvp2003]

There were photos posted on social media earlier this year, i.e. the Heritage Classic, with the players and their families. A few people on twitter noted that Johnny's GF was there.

Didn't want to speculate about people's personal lives (and I won't start now) but Johnny having a GF appeared at least to be factually accurate...

[kman35ca]

I read on twitter his GF was from just outside Philly. No idea if that is legit, but a first GF could explain a lot. lol

[Roof-Daddy]

Just outside Philly?

Lol

If that's true Treliving best be shopping Johnny hard this summer.

[Strange Brew]

Probably not his first girlfriend.

[djsFlames]

Maybe first steady/long term gf.

She better not be from Philly! If so I hope he has successfully moved her here and she's falling in love with the mountains.