A letter to Mr.Sutter and Flames management

[Jason14h]

Originally Posted by AndyM

Then don't watch?

Looks like it is already happening if we look at attendance

https://www.hockey-reference.com/friv/attendance.cgi

Down to 92% capacity this year, bottom third of the league

This isn't completely because of the style of play, but I know anecdotally people I talk to (Including myself) have less and less interest in going to games this year as the season has progressed and use the term 'boring' a lot.

[Major Major]

We all get lost in the day to day spin cycle of hockey once it gets going. But before the season started, it was completely logical and even fairly common to say that the flames would have a mediocre first half of the year but a strong second half...

Before game 1, most would have accepted that as reasonable, logical and even desirable. Of course, now that we are in the middle of it, people should be traded/fired/decapitated... Etc. Professional athletes banking millions shouldn't need to adjust is a personal favorite of mine...

I'm not saying that it is a guarantee that the second half of the prophecy will come true. But when I look at Huberdeau, I see a player who has bought in to changing the way he plays. Coachable. That's good. His talent will eventually break through. Darryl's resume is one that demands patience. He's broken horses and turned them into stallions everywhere he's gone. Just takes time.

[Jason14h]

Originally Posted by Major Major

We all get lost in the day to day spin cycle of hockey once it gets going. But before the season started, it was completely logical and even fairly common to say that the flames would have a mediocre first half of the year but a strong second half...

Before game 1, most would have accepted that as reasonable, logical and even desirable. Of course, now that we are in the middle of it, people should be traded/fired/decapitated... Etc. Professional athletes banking millions shouldn't need to adjust is a personal favorite of mine...

I'm not saying that it is a guarantee that the second half of the prophecy will come true. But when I look at Huberdeau, I see a player who has bought in to changing the way he plays. Coachable. That's good. His talent will eventually break through. Darryl's resume is one that demands patience. He's broken horses and turned them into stallions everywhere he's gone. Just takes time.

None of that means the games will be more exciting to watch. It just means we will be winning 3-2 and 2-1 vs loosing 4-3 and 3-2

Although winning games probably creates a sense of excitement and shapes opinions/perspective

It isn't just the score/final result, the Flames play very slow and boring hockey right now (In my opinion/eye test)

Maybe it's just that we were spoiled by the 1st line last season and this is the reality of a team without an elite #1 line/superstars

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by 442scotty

That’s last year. This year is a whole different story unfortunately. It’s like watching a bunch of freaking robots playing safe so they don’t piss off the coach. Zero attempt at creativity anymore

Is it though?

The guy that has coached 4 decades has changed his style from last year because ....

I just think blaming the coach (same guy different tie) for a lack of offensive chemistry is lazy.

[Burning Beard]

Just the other day Sutter said they have been prioritizing getting rid of the defensive breakdowns and thought they were doing a better job of it and the next step will be getting the production back. I'd prefer that over trying to out chance the other team like they did in the Oilers series.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Jason14h

Looks like it is already happening if we look at attendance

https://www.hockey-reference.com/friv/attendance.cgi

Down to 92% capacity this year, bottom third of the league

This isn't completely because of the style of play, but I know anecdotally people I talk to (Including myself) have less and less interest in going to games this year as the season has progressed and use the term 'boring' a lot.

For me it's the construction around the rink and how hard it is to get in and out.

Has me selling most games.

[Major Major]

Originally Posted by Jason14h

None of that means the games will be more exciting to watch. It just means we will be winning 3-2 and 2-1 vs loosing 4-3 and 3-2

Although winning games probably creates a sense of excitement and shapes opinions/perspective

It isn't just the score/final result, the Flames play very slow and boring hockey right now (In my opinion/eye test)

Maybe it's just that we were spoiled by the 1st line last season and this is the reality of a team without an elite #1 line/superstars

I won't argue that the team now is as skilled as last year's or that we are likely to see a first line like that ever again to be frank.

But their first 30 games under DS were boring as hell. He absolutely has check points in player development where he takes the brakes off and let's them run. He's told us as much.

Put me firmly in the column of winning hockey is entertaining hockey and I think that's what we're going to get.

[Yikes]

Originally Posted by Bingo

For me it's the construction around the rink and how hard it is to get in and out.

Has me selling most games.

Yep, parking/access is a pain in the ass, we are selling/giving more than we ever have in the past. The hockey is pretty boring, Saddledome is dead, seems like Sutter is not happy unless the Flames "grind out" a 2 to 1 win every night.

[CSharp]

Originally Posted by getbak

Too late, old mustard out and newer aging mustard in - but no calls yet.

[madmike]

It’s been a disappointing season and the hockey hasn’t been very inspiring, but given the offseason the franchise had it’s better than it could have been.

The team lost two stars (arguably superstars) through no real fault of its own. The Flames offered competitive salaries and term. Neither Gaudreau nor Tkachuk wanted to stay.

Expecting the team to score a ton of goals with the players they have at the moment isn’t realistic. They could open things up, but I don’t think the results would be pretty.

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by Yikes

Yep, parking/access is a pain in the ass, we are selling/giving more than we ever have in the past. The hockey is pretty boring, Saddledome is dead, seems like Sutter is not happy unless the Flames "grind out" a 2 to 1 win every night.

Home game scores this year: 5-3, 4-3, 3-2, 6-3, 3-2, 4-1, 3-2, 5-4, 4-1, 4-3, 6-5, 6-2, 2-1, 5-2, 3-2, 5-3.

Literally one 2-1 game.

[Burning Beard]

Originally Posted by topfiverecords

Home game scores this year: 5-3, 4-3, 3-2, 6-3, 3-2, 4-1, 3-2, 5-4, 4-1, 4-3, 6-5, 6-2, 2-1, 5-2, 3-2, 5-3.

Literally one 2-1 game.

Yikes!

[Bingo]

I think in a Sutter system you need to learn what to do defensively first, and then you counter.

The top line had a lot of talent, but they also bought in on the defensive side of the puck and then created from there.

This year they have been up and down on both sides of the puck and just haven't gotten in a groove.

Lots of change in personnel would slow that. Additionally a rough start for goaltending (Markstrom) would play into that too because you'd have a lack of trust in the defensive system being preached without any tangible results.

Now they're top six in defensive metrics so probably accomplished, at least it was before all the injuries.

So if this all works, I think you start to see the team getting better offensively off the foundation of the defensive system and then away they go.

Not a prediction but I think that's the plan, and having an easier schedule could help that offensive confidence too.

Now that's a letter!

[Winsor_Pilates]

Originally Posted by Jason14h

Looks like it is already happening if we look at attendance

https://www.hockey-reference.com/friv/attendance.cgi

Down to 92% capacity this year, bottom third of the league

This isn't completely because of the style of play, but I know anecdotally people I talk to (Including myself) have less and less interest in going to games this year as the season has progressed and use the term 'boring' a lot.

I said this in a PGT but lost connection to the star players probably has a big impact too.
When you watched Tkachuk & Johnny grow with the team from draft, you grow with them and build an emotional connection with the team and stars.

To no ones fault, the new guys don't have that.
It will hopefully happen in time and with winning, but right now it's boring hockey and by guys you don't even have a connection with.
Ultimate difficulty to get engaged.

[Poe969]

Dear Flames management, thank you gor being consistently mediocre. Sure there is the random year where they look either a little better or a little worse but for the most part they're a "middle of the pack" team. Every few years the team will make the playoffs and they've even won a round or two or they'll miss the playoffs and might even get a top 10 pick but we never have to worry about getting too excited about being a contender for the cup or worry about who the top prospects are.

[Johnny Makarov]

Might as well add this.

Dear Sutt.

Can you please get your players to start bench clearing brawls again? Those were some fun and exciting times. We will start a go fund me for your fines.

Flamesfan89

[Yeah_Baby]

Hey D,

What's up.

Talk Soon,
Yeah_Baby

[442scotty]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Is it though?

The guy that has coached 4 decades has changed his style from last year because ....

I just think blaming the coach (same guy different tie) for a lack of offensive chemistry is lazy.

Wasn’t blaming the coach… I don’t know what the reason is. I’m just stating what I see. Probably lots of factors involved. Quality of talent, chemistry issues, being top of my list.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Originally Posted by Burning Beard

Just the other day Sutter said they have been prioritizing getting rid of the defensive breakdowns and thought they were doing a better job of it and the next step will be getting the production back. I'd prefer that over trying to out chance the other team like they did in the Oilers series.

thisthisthis

the Oilers are not the model to be striving for here

[Reggie Dunlop]

Dear Darryl,

Who's tougher, Ron or Rich?