The Legend of Sam Bennett

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Eric Vail

I don't think Bob Johnson got let go by the organization. He was offered a promotion to take over USA Hockey and took it. He also was known for his positivity. I don't think he can be lumped in with Sutter, Crisp, Hartley as he was more of a player's coach.

Nonetheless, I heard there were vets that were very pleased he was gone. Lanny and Pepper were two.

[Mightyfire89]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Nonetheless, I heard there were vets that were very pleased he was gone. Lanny and Pepper were two.

It would be interesting to hear what those two (and possibly others) didn’t like about Badger Bob. In my memory he was universally liked. Not saying you’re wrong.

[FanIn80]

Another goal tonight. 6 goals, 9 points in 9 games. Tied for third overall in goals.

[dino7c]

Contract year right?

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

It actually makes me laugh a little that some posters have this retroactive love for Hartley and act like his firing was a big mistake, when really his performance was even worse than Gulutzan.

Hartley - GP: 294; PTS%: .498; Best Season: .591 (97 pts - 45-30-7)

Gulutzan - GP: 164; PTS%: .543; Best Season: .573 (94 pts - 45-33-4)

Hartley put up a .470 in 15-16 and deservedly was fired. Gulutzan wasn't a good coach and even he never put up a season worse than .512 (or .500 if you include his 2 seasons in Dallas too).

Here is some snide back - It actually makes me laugh a little that some posters quote stats without any notion of context in order to make a point.



Every coach of a rebuilding team must absolutely suck, while every coach of a contender must be in the hall of fame. Context matters. Flames were very much a rebuilding team that turned things around halfway through the 2013-14 season to the point that a pundit like Aaron Ward at the time predicted that they would make the playoffs next season (and got ridiculed by the other pundits on air) and then was proven right the following season when Calgary not only made the playoffs, but went to the 2nd round (a feat that they were only able to equal 8 seasons and 5 head coaches later, BTW, with a vastly improved team at every single position).

Originally Posted by GioforPM

That's not quite the case. Some vets liked him and some didn't because he played favorites. Stajan liked him because he liked Stajan and it was only after some less favoured players came to him that he noticed what was going on and lost respect for Hartley. And Hartley was rough on some young players - Baertcshi for example.

With Sutter at least he was sour with press as well as players. Hartley was Mr. Jovial with the press and a mean SOB behind the scenes.

It was the case. Stajan was the one that pointed this out, in fact. The young players (sans Baertschi, who was the laziest and most entitled prospect that I had ever seen in decades) liked Hartley. Most of the vets didn't. That's the crappy part of Hartley apparently - he would play them off one another.


With that being said, some of the reasons that some of the vets complain about makes me shake my head a little. For instance, I love Sarich, but twice he has retold a story about his time under Hartley. He was healthy scratched for 'x' amount of games in a row, and one day, he just decided to go golfing and had some beers the day before a game. Hartley found out, and inserted him into the lineup. He was mad about this. In my mind, if you are being healthy scratched as a vet, you should be a 'good pro', and be ready to come in at any time, and I took that as Hartley reminding him to be a good vet. Sarich took it as a shot.


I am sure there are PLENTY of stories of Hartley being an ass. That's why he was fired, after all. I am not denying this is some fabrication or made up conspiracy by Q-Anon. There were players in the NHL with a "Hartley No Trade" clause as evidence.



Point still stands that there were plenty of players that loved Hartley still, and Hartley did get the most of out of that team for about 1.5 season. His last season I thought was unfair as well, as the "3-Headed goalie monster" proved to be difficult for any of the goalies to find some consistency, and eventually Ramo got sent down. When he came back up and gave the team average or above average goaltending, the Flames were mounting a comeback, but then he got hurt and this team plummeted. I understand why he got fired, but aside from his behind the scenes personality, I do wonder if another season under him would have proven beneficial to guys like Bennett.

Originally Posted by Eric Vail

I don't think Bob Johnson got let go by the organization. He was offered a promotion to take over USA Hockey and took it. He also was known for his positivity. I don't think he can be lumped in with Sutter, Crisp, Hartley as he was more of a player's coach.

I am assuming that since I was the only one that brought up Badger Bob, that you were referencing my post. I wasn't commenting on Bob Johnson being 'tough' at all, but noting the similarities with Huska's demeanour (though the obvious difference being that Huska swears a lot, and Johnson was noted for NEVER swearing at any time). I just couldn't remember how Jonhnson's press conferences was, since I was both a little young at the time, as well as games and pre and post game press conferences were never shown like they are today. If you have any recollections of it, I would love to hear it. I loved Bob Johnson, and Pittsburgh at the time became my 2nd team when he started coaching there just because of him (and Mullen of course).

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Contract year right?

Yep, and we know he certainly didn't show much heart or skill in the first three years. Just showing up now for to secure his next deal. Classic Sam Bennett.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Mightyfire89

It would be interesting to hear what those two (and possibly others) didn’t like about Badger Bob. In my memory he was universally liked. Not saying you’re wrong.

Calgary Flames have a long history of turning on their coach.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

Point still stands that there were plenty of players that loved Hartley

Really?

[Locke]

Some players love hard-ass coaches, some dont.

But as a coach you have to pick your spots and evaluate your players.

I remember having some players, the harder I rode them and the meaner I was the more they loved me, but I also had one kid...tons of talent but he was soft.

So...you treat him differently. I was really nice to him. There is no 'one-size-fits-all' when it comes to coaching. Some people need a kick in the ass and some need an arm across the shoulders and kind words. As a coach you have to know which.

That kid was so talented but if you were hard and beat him, he'd recoil, but if you treated him kindly he'd run through a wall for you.

Thats coaching.

You just want the players to be the best they can be, both as players and as people, and its the coach's job to find out how to do that to the betterment of the entire team.

Thats the gig.

We can villainize Hartley if we want, but the leaders on the team dont show up in the hallway for a fight willing to go to War for someone they don't respect.

The biggest problem with Hartley was that he hit his ceiling. Okay. That happens. Time to move on.

Keenan? He seemed like a bad coach. Only stick, no Carrot.

Sutter is a different story. I have incredible respect for him, but his actions, attitude and personnel decisions at the end of his tenure were baffling. There was something else going on there and I have no idea what it was.

In my own experience, coaching requires an incredible amount of mental energy.

To me...it looked like he wanted to get fired. Thats a personal opinion. I have no information to support that other than...he apparently mis-treated the office and backroom staff. That to me is unacceptable. They are there to help you.

At the moment Huska is looking good. Calm, measured but also intense when the moment requires it.

He makes odd decisions, but he knows his players, he knows his team. Lets see where it takes them. He also doesnt have immense pressure to win either, thats a huge part. If he understands his expectations and is working towards them, then thats great!

I dont think I've seen Huska out-coached.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by jayswin

Yep, and we know he certainly didn't show much heart or skill in the first three years. Just showing up now for to secure his next deal. Classic Sam Bennett.

Dont be so sensitive I was just asking...although looks like maybe career highs. Likely even.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Dont be so sensitive I was just asking...although looks like maybe career highs. Likely even.

It's not a sensitivity issue at all. I just enjoy your 'he's the best and don't criticize him' followed by 'he's the worst, he was never going to be a good player' shift between current and former Flames players.

[Shazam]

Originally Posted by Locke

To me...it looked like he wanted to get fired. Thats a personal opinion. I have no information to support that other than...he apparently mis-treated the office and backroom staff. That to me is unacceptable. They are there to help you.

That was my impression too. He was brought in to take the team into the playoffs, saw the moves that Tre were doing, assessed that Tre was an idiot, and decided that he didn't want to coach anymore.

[Shazam]

Originally Posted by jayswin

It's not a sensitivity issue at all. I just enjoy your 'he's the best and don't criticize him' followed by 'he's the worst, he was never going to be a good player' shift between current and former Flames players.

He is a Flames' fan - of the team. I think that's a great attitude.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by jayswin

It's not a sensitivity issue at all. I just enjoy your 'he's the best and don't criticize him' followed by 'he's the worst, he was never going to be a good player' shift between current and former Flames players.

Yeah okay lol

I asked if it was a contract year and you went full fanboy. It is and he is way above career pace.

Meanwhile I was Tanevs biggest fan last playoffs

[Cali Panthers Fan]

*ahem*

Back on track in this thread.

Bennett with another goal tonight...the game winner as a matter of fact. It was super high skill!

I joke, it was a textbook Bennett goal with a lucky bounce off his body as he went hard to the net yet again. Dude is a winner. Playing at a point per game pace so far in the season to date.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

*ahem*

Back on track in this thread.

Bennett with another goal tonight...the game winner as a matter of fact. It was super high skill!

I joke, it was a textbook Bennett goal with a lucky bounce off his body as he went hard to the net yet again. Dude is a winner. Playing at a point per game pace so far in the season to date.

What woild you want to pay him? What is the line?

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by dino7c

What woild you want to pay him? What is the line?

It's tough. His regular season stats may keep his salary down, but what he does in the playoffs pushes him to a higher level. With the cap going up he should command a decent pay day.

He clearly loves it in Florida, and they may have saved his career by giving him an opportunity. I think there may be some loyalty to the team for that.

I could see $7-7.5 million for 6 years, but I know he'll be in demand, so it probably gets pushed higher if he goes to UFA.

[Saqe]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

It's tough. His regular season stats may keep his salary down, but what he does in the playoffs pushes him to a higher level. With the cap going up he should command a decent pay day.

He clearly loves it in Florida, and they may have saved his career by giving him an opportunity. I think there may be some loyalty to the team for that.

I could see $7-7.5 million for 6 years, but I know he'll be in demand, so it probably gets pushed higher if he goes to UFA.

He won't get more than Verhaege who just signed for 7M.

The owner Viola told him that he's the soul of the team, I don't see him going anywhere. Maybe 6.5M x 8?

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Saqe

He won't get more than Verhaege who just signed for 7M.

The owner Viola told him that he's the soul of the team, I don't see him going anywhere. Maybe 6.5M x 8?

Maybe not in Florida, he could probably elsewhere...assuming his scoring continues

[Saqe]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Maybe not in Florida, he could probably elsewhere...assuming his scoring continues

I don't think it matters. Reinhart scored 57 last year and signed for 8.6M.