The trials and tribulations of Glen Gulutzan

[redforever]

Originally Posted by Classic_Sniper

Would anyone here be opposed to loading up the PP? As in replacing Brouwer and Ferland with Tkachuk and Backlund and playing them for 1.5 minutes? The PP is so stationary any way so it's not like these guys break too much of a sweat. Backlund has also registered a shot over 100mph and Tkachuk down low would be a considerably better net front presence than what we have now.

I've noticed lately that the PP2 unit is having trouble just entering the zone and getting setting up, so that's a waste of PP time right there and I think it'd be a better use of time to load up and play one dominant unit like Washington does with Ovechkin.

Entering the zone is a problem, period.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by SportsJunky

Is it not possible that they executed the system but lost? Is a system infallible?

If they’ve executed the system properly to date, then the team is what it is under Gully. A non playoff team.

Is that acceptable? From Treliving’s point of view, I can’t imagine it is.

[Joborule]

With 32 games played, there's 50 games remaining in the season, meaning there's 100 points up for grabs.

They currently have 35 points, and to make the 96 point playoff mark, they'll need 61 more points in their remaining 50 games. Therefore, they'll have to play at a .610 point percentage rate. A scenario record they can account for to achieve that is 30-19-1. Less wins would have to also mean for less losses, and two OTLs to account for each missed win.

It's doable, but they need to get their act together and start winning at a clip of 2 out of every 3 games. Losing streaks set them dangerously back unless they can amount several game winning streaks in return. Essentially, the team, once again like last year, will have to be one of the hottest team coming into the playoff stretch to try to clinch a spot.

So has the team progressed from last year? Doesn't look like it. Asking for lightning to strike in the same spot is a lot to ask for. Gulutzan gotta get wins from here on out, otherwise this time, the team will likely get the worst possible result, and miss the playoffs in a year they simply cannot afford to.

I don't really want to entrust him in doing that role since the results haven't been delivered up to this point. Relying on OT to win games in not a successful formula. Playing to not lose is not a successful strategy. And just gifting teams you're battling in the playoff race free points doesn't help your positioning on the standings.

This team needs to win more often than lose (duh), and get the wins in regulation at that.

[Fischy13]

Personally I think Gio needs to be off the PP. He has caught my eye on so many occasions lately, and for the wrong reasons. He gets a pass around here for some reason. I think his defense is outstanding, but his IQ on in the offensive end... Every time I watch him, he shoots the puck into the opposing player, it never gets through anymore. If it does, it's way wide.

The whole team, not just Gio, act like they have a grenade on their stick, they get rid of it because they have no patience with it and throw it blindly away. It's looks they are never facing the right way to make the next play, have their backs to everything or are looking into their feet because someone gave them a terrible pass.

They also constantly try and pass to the guy who has an opponent within 2 feet of them instead of the wide open guy on the other side of the rink. Their decisions with the puck are terrible and followed up with poorly executed passes to boot. Just watch for all of these things next time, you should be able to see them all on one powerplay.

[Ashasx]

Without Gio, the powerplay no longer has a shot.

[Classic_Sniper]

Originally Posted by Fischy13

Personally I think Gio needs to be off the PP. He has caught my eye on so many occasions lately, and for the wrong reasons. He gets a pass around here for some reason. I think his defense is outstanding, but his IQ on in the offensive end... Every time I watch him, he shoots the puck into the opposing player, it never gets through anymore. If it does, it's way wide.

The whole team, not just Gio, act like they have a grenade on their stick, they get rid of it because they have no patience with it and throw it blindly away. It's looks they are never facing the right way to make the next play, have their backs to everything or are looking into their feet because someone gave them a terrible pass.

They also constantly try and pass to the guy who has an opponent within 2 feet of them instead of the wide open guy on the other side of the rink. Their decisions with the puck are terrible and followed up with poorly executed passes to boot. Just watch for all of these things next time, you should be able to see them all on one powerplay.

You want to remove the same guy who has scored at a 16 goal per season pace since the team's rebuild started? That's not a guy I would remove on the PP. Pretty sure the last PP goal we have scored was off of his stick as well and it was a beauty. I'm not a fan of the set up on that PP2 unit, I think that's the real problem.

[monkeyman]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

The system compliments the roster just fine, if the players execute it like they did the second half of last season they are dominant.

A part of any good system is making sure you can implement it effectively, if you can't, it's no good.

[Kybb79]

Monahan should be put in Versteegs old spot on the PP.

[_Q_]

Short of making it to the western conference finals, I just can't see how GG keeps his job past this season. I don't think he has been horrific, but he has been fairly average. This team needs a coach that can take them to the next level, not just fiddle around as a bubble team while this core's window to win begins.

[scotty2hotty]

Originally Posted by _Q_

Short of making it to the western conference finals, I just can't see how GG keeps his job past this season. I don't think he has been horrific, but he has been fairly average. This team needs a coach that can take them to the next level, not just fiddle around as a bubble team while this core's window to win begins.

If that's the case, why wait?

Do people suspect that there will be some great candidates available in the off season? (genuine question)

[Toonage]

There is more likely to be a greater number of coaches available in the off season, yes.

[_Q_]

Originally Posted by scotty2hotty

If that's the case, why wait?

Do people suspect that there will be some great candidates available in the off season? (genuine question)

I've heard some suggesting Vineault or Quenneville might be available at the end of the season. I'm not sure who would be the best choice today.

[bax]

Originally Posted by _Q_

Short of making it to the western conference finals, I just can't see how GG keeps his job past this season. I don't think he has been horrific, but he has been fairly average. This team needs a coach that can take them to the next level, not just fiddle around as a bubble team while this core's window to win begins.

I don’t know why that would be the case. Look around the league. Coaches are being given longer leashes then ever. Look at how the Paul Maurice jets are doing this year after their entire fan base called for him to be fired during the off season

[Fischy13]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

Without Gio, the powerplay no longer has a shot.

By that metric, Stone should be a fixture though which I think is needed. I'm not even sure I'm saying he needs to be removed. Something has changed in him. He's not making the right decisions anymore, which is also showing in the stats. It's one thing to pound shots through and score. It's another to have the vision and make things happen. I don't see the PP quarterback in his game anymore. It seems none of the guys quarter backing the PP at the blue line have the vision or patience to make things happen. Maybe it's been taken out of their game due to the strategy of the PP. Versteeg is sorely missed to elude aggressive PKers and make that precise back door pass. I just don't see Gio doing that anymore.

[Fischy13]

Originally Posted by Classic_Sniper

You want to remove the same guy who has scored at a 16 goal per season pace since the team's rebuild started? That's not a guy I would remove on the PP. Pretty sure the last PP goal we have scored was off of his stick as well and it was a beauty. I'm not a fan of the set up on that PP2 unit, I think that's the real problem.

That's in the past yeah. This year he has 12 points, 4 on the PP. Now the whole PP has been struggling. As someone quarterbacking it, I think they need more from him there. Anyone they put back there. Like I said above, maybe it's the PP strategy and on the PP coaches, but there are some very questionable plays I'm seeing. Ringing it around the boards without looking to see if anyone is there to pick it up.. so many times there isn't even a dman on the other side and it rings around back into our zone. A lot of these decisions are taking place and I've noticed Gio making his share of them. I suppose that could be on the guy who maybe should have been there to get that. Just think someone of his skill set would look first. I just don't see the years past in Gio.

[VilleN]

A lot of people like to say that GG is our Dallas Eakins... What I don't understand about that comment is that Dallas Eakins wasn't a bad coach for Edmonton... relatively speaking. He wasn't really any worse (looking at their record) than most of the coaches they've had in the past decade aside from T Mac (who has a better record because he was hired when McDavid was drafted)... They've just had pathetic teams and coaching changes didn't seem to matter... just curious as to why Eakins gets singled out... My opinion is that it's because he was young and unproven, like GG is... it's easy to blame a coach when there is no proven track record... I'm not making a comment about either coach really, thought it was interesting though.

[Gaskal]

Did some research in the name of fixing our godawful PP, and the Lightning(#1 team right now, #1 PP unit overall too) also just happen to run a shooting, rebound based 1-3-1. Only they're actually successful at it. Here's one play that is a textbook description of how that kind of 1-3-1 generates scoring chances.

Hedman as the lone Dman is more than happy to shoot. In fact, this whole scoring sequence started off with Hedman cranking it from the point (despite what GG may foolishly think of point shots on the PP), something Brodie seems completely terrified to do.



The 1-3-1 formation is set up to corral any rebounds most efficiently. In the above play, everyone except Killorn got to touch the puck, and any one of them are a threat to finish.

So why do the Coyotes collapse like that? Because the essence of TB’s 1-3-1 isn’t just having strong shooters at all positions - it’s rapid, deceptive puck movement. This is to discombobulate whatever PK they’re up against, as well as throw the goalie’s positioning off and make him work much harder. This GIF below is what happens when you just let them throw the puck freely around to each other.



The Flames do not have this kind of rapid puck movement. They are slow & predictable, and those PP’s are easy-peasy to defend. I don't care how good Brodie's skating or puck handling might be, we need someone in that spot who isn't afraid to drop point bombs. It's not some complicated formula. Shot from the point, traffic in front, goal/rebound. That isn't to say that it's the play to look for every time, but when PKers take away the low options like the Coyotes did above, then it's the easiest option. It's how we scored our last PP goal.



Flames need to actually utilize both half boards guys as shooting threats and not just someone to bounce the puck elsewhere through. The Lightning do this by having Kucherov and Stamkos be on their opposite wing, going right to the circle, when the puck moves either direction.



This way they are on their one-timer side and the shot comes off the blade closer to the net, while forcing rapid lateral movement from the goalie. Either one can set up plays off the half wall. Shot fakes are pretty damn effective when you have 3 one-timer options up high.



The Flames elect to use those two roles more as setup guys, having them retreat closer to the blueline, but this is too easy to defend and is a simple read what play they’re looking for. It just doesn't play to the strengths of a 1-3-1 formation. They need to skate it in to actually get a good shot off, and it’s often off to the side because of the L/R stick-handedness.

[ComixZone]

Great post Gaskal, as always.

Reading that...

PP 1:

Tkachuk
Hamilton - Monahan - Gaudreau
Stone

PP 2:
Ferland
Bennett - Jankowski - Jagr
Giordano

No Brodie. No Brouwer.

[bubbsy]

I'd prefer Hamilton/gio manning the point on the first unit, Brodie/stone on the second.

[GranteedEV]

In fairness, Stamkos and Kucherov have two of the probably four best one-timers in the NHL along with Ovechkin and Laine. I do think Jankowski, Ferland, Giordano, Bennett, and Stone have good and underutilized one-time shots though.