[News] Sutter calls out Dube and Valimaki: 'Lots of growing up to do'

[Hack&Lube]

https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article...-lots-growing/

“I think (Dube) and Valimaki are the identical players in terms of where they’re at - their minutes don’t go up unless they become better players,” said Sutter who scratched Valimaki once again for Tuesday’s meaningless 4-2 loss.

“If they become better players this team becomes better. There’s a little bit of entitlement that went on here and that impacts your team in a negative way for sure. You don’t play guys more to help them get better. They have to help themselves get better based on their training, based on their preparation, based on their compete level, not just the skills that they were drafted on.”

Sutter has scratched Dube a handful of times since taking over ten weeks ago, using the second-round pick almost exclusively as a fourth liner when he is in the lineup.

“I sat him out games just based on his inconsistency in terms of when the other team has the puck,” said Sutter, whose harshest assessments have always been aimed at young players.

“If you look at the last game (Sunday) we played, Dillon played on a line with Mikael Backlund and Andrew Mangiapane against Brock Boeser. One guy had ten shots, (Boeser) and the other guy had two penalties. Lots of growing up to do.”

[Makarov]

Ouch. Have to think this is calculated on the part of Sutter to motivate Dube and Valimaki over the offseason (motivation of the "I'll show that old rancher bastard who has lots of growing up to do..." variety). Risky. I hope it pays off.

[Erick Estrada]

To be fair both Valimaki and Dube have both underperformed this season relative to expectations. While frustrating to see players like this scratched for veteran plugs, there is a method to the madness here as Darryl is trying to turn them into real pros. I imagine both may have some questionable practice habits as well as he brought up training and preparation. I'm not sure about airing that stuff out in the media but we ask for players and coaches to be more candid so there it is.

[djsFlames]

It's good that he's identifying the problems here.

Let's just hope that standard is applied to the vets as well.

[Scroopy Noopers]

Good. Don’t coddle our players, that’s how we get to where we are.

And he’s right.

[getbak]

Tough love.

[AustinL_NHL]

Every time Sutter speaks, my love for him grows.

Couldn't ask for a better coach.

[transplant99]

Absolutely classic Darryl Sutter.

[Strange Brew]

At this point, I trust Sutter given his track record.

I definitely agree with him in that if this club is ever going to go anywhere, we need more young players growing into impact players, as it's obvious the existing top players aren't good enough.

He undoubtedly has his approach of how to take them to the next level so I say let him have at it.

[Dion]

That's the Sutter I love. Make everyone accountable for the way they play.

[Classic_Sniper]

Some fans will criticize the tough love approach and I don’t blame them. Young players are going to make mistakes and need time to mature. But in terms of a wins vs losses situation, as a coach, Darryl was fair in scratching Valimaki. Some of the egregious mistakes he made in critical games really cost the team and this team’s margin for error was already very small.

[GioforPM]

Since when has Dube been “almost exclusively on the 4th line” under Sutter? I can’t even recall that being the case once. He’s been with either Monahan or Backlund as far as I can recall.

Anyway, I suspected this was all about defensive play. I do think that whether to scratch or limit minutes has to depend on the attitude of the player, not the mistakes.

[djsFlames]

Surprised he hasn't had similar comments for Andersson's play though.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by getbak

Tough love.

Totally. This is a coach that wasn't afraid to call out Roenick when he was a young player, and one that was very highly touted.

It's crazy that some people had Valimaki as a potential Calder candidate before the season started. I suspect the year lost to injury really impacted his development, but he has also looked pretty lazy at times.

[EVERLAST]

I hope Dube and Valimaki actually understand this and DO SOMETHING with this .

Be woke and present young men....your coaches GAF meter is pegged to the max .

The Teacher , 3 time Stanley CUP winning coach and former player understands what needs to happen to win, wants to win .

After reading an article with Tyler Toffoli he credited Darryl for teaching him how to be a great player and he is.

Thank GOD for Darryls TBQH......he's lighting a fire under ya fellas and I see a high high ceiling for both of these guys myself and am glad they are Flames.

This is positive news .

[Goriders]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

To be fair both Valimaki and Dube have both underperformed this season relative to expectations. While frustrating to see players like this scratched for veteran plugs, there is a method to the madness here as Darryl is trying to turn them into real pros. I imagine both may have some questionable practice habits as well as he brought up training and preparation. I'm not sure about airing that stuff out in the media but we ask for players and coaches to be more candid so there it is.

If he’s airing it in the media it’s because there’s an obvious problem and it’s not just him seeing it.

He needs to go after a few vets as well.

[Goriders]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

Surprised he hasn't had similar comments for Andersson's play though.

Or Tkachuk

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Goriders

If he’s airing it in the media it’s because there’s an obvious problem and it’s not just him seeing it.

He needs to go after a few vets as well.

Do you watch the Flames practice every day? How could their training and preparation be an obvious problem to fans? Young players typically have to mature on their journey to being a pro. This isn't new or anything.

[Da_Chief]

Im fine with the tough love. Also understand the veterans have "earned" the right to be not called out, I get it.

But if you're going to call out players out in public and use stats then at least get them right.

Boeser played 18 minutes, 10 shots on goal and had 2 penalties.
Dube played 13 minutes, 4 shots on goal and 1 penalty.
Backlund played 19 minutes, 4 shots on goal and 1 penalty.

So nitpick the young guy and ignore the vet on that line that was probably out there for all of Boesers 10 shots.

This will be a good thread to bump in 2 years time. Sutter's contract will be ending and Dube will no longer be a young kid. He would've either made the Flames or moved to another team or out of the league. Let's see what happens.

[Goriders]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Do you watch the Flames practice every day? How could their training and preparation be an obvious problem to fans? Young players typically have to mature on their journey to being a pro. This isn't new or anything.

I meant an obvious problem to people in the organization