The trials and tribulations of Glen Gulutzan

[DazzlinDino]

Originally Posted by Gaskal

For all the vitrol Gulutzan has gotten since last night, I haven't seen too many "fire him" posts. We're just all really mad about it.

This team can still be top 3 in the Pacific, but they absolutely need to win the last 2 games remaining in the season vs each of LA and SJ to give themselves a solid chance. Splitting probably won't cut it, and with the Central the way it is now, it's not looking likely that the Wild Cards are available to the Pacific teams.

That's how I see it too, I think a lot of people are really trying even now to give GG the benefit of the doubt. Coach has to be better.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by colbym72

Thats what this era of the NHL is every year. Vegas screwed everything up, otherwise this team is in a pretty secure spot. The Flames are in a position to control their own destiny and with how tight the standings are everywhere, that isnt a bad position to be in. The Flames probably only have to go 19-15-1 to get in. That is pretty reasonable and doable.

I don’t really think Vegas screwed anything up. You can swap them and the Oilers and that was likely the expectation most had for both teams.

We have 2 teams in the West massively overachieving in Vegas and Colorado but then you have Chicago, Edmonton, the Wild on the outside looking in

[Classic_Sniper]

Originally Posted by Hot_Flatus

He might look bettter of late but that second line has been nowhere near as dominant since Frolik went down and it's surely due to the presence of Brouwer as his replacement. Let's also note that Brouwer is rocking a 42% faceoff rate, who was facing off against O'Reilly who nearly leads the league at 62%! You can't convince me that those percentages work out favorably when he had guys like Stajan, Monahan, Jankowski all hovering around 50%, who despite being lefty's can least compete with the other team once the puck is dropped.

If Gulutzan is that easily swayed to put Troy Fricken Brouwer out there in OT, with the game on the line, ahead of just about every other player on the team, then he should be directing fans to seats alongside Edna in the press level sections.

Oh clearly we'd prefer Frolik on the 2nd line. There's no question about that. But as critical as I've been on Brouwer this season, I have to give him at least some credit for his improved play lately and I can see how he's built up some trust with the coach.

I think everyone just needs to chill for a second here. It may not have been ideal, but we still got a point and we've received the points equivalent of 1 win and 1 loss. Would we still be freaking out if we lost in regulation to the best team in the Central and followed up with a win to against the Sabres? Probably not, so let us all just look at the glass half full for now, we're in a decent spot and the focus now shifts to L.A and hopefully a few of the passengers last night pick up their games and find a way to win the most important game of the season.

[cross16]

Originally Posted by Wild GM

That's not how I would answer the question.
The assets were not spent on short-term rentals for 1 year. Rather they were largely spent
- To address the #1 need on the team (goaltending) that was going to otherwise prevent the team from having any chance of competing
- To bring in a guy, in the prime years of his career, as an addition to the core.

The value of those deals and the assets spent extend beyond this year. I think they were brought in to kick the window wider - but I don't think they move the Flames into the true upper echelon.

On paper do I think the Flames are one of the best 5 teams in the NHL? No.
Did I think would be securely in a playoff spot at this point? No.

When I look at the teams near and around the Flames it seems to me they all have similar talent levels and flaws.

So i'm not sure why people expected them to be way further ahead at this point. I just don't see it based on the roster assembled.

I would agree. I understand the argument that management set the expectations but so many variable come into play when you want to talk about on paper vs on ice. Management of the Oilers, Canadians, Senators, and probably the Hawks would all say the same thing (among others but those are the obvious ones I think).

I get the road has been bumpy and probably more bumpy that anticipated so I can understand why the fans angst is higher but I felt the Flames should be in the 10-15 range this year in terms of NHL standings. Sitting 14th with games and hand and 3 points of out of the top 10 seems to me they are meeting reasonable expectations.

[colbym72]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

I don’t really think Vegas screwed anything up. You can swap them and the Oilers and that was likely the expectation most had for both teams.

We have 2 teams in the West massively overachieving in Vegas and Colorado but then you have Chicago, Edmonton, the Wild on the outside looking in

Good point. I guess I see the Flames exactly where I expected them to be: In a dogfight for 2nd in the division to the last wild card. It doesn't really matter to me where they finish in the conference, especially with how much better they seem to perform on the road.

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by Locke

How many times have we heard: "We just werent ready!"

Well no #### Gully, guess whose job it is to have the team ready?

Sorry, I have nothing to add, I just couldn't resist.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Wild GM

That's not how I would answer the question.
The assets were not spent on short-term rentals for 1 year. Rather they were largely spent
- To address the #1 need on the team (goaltending) that was going to otherwise prevent the team from having any chance of competing
- To bring in a guy, in the prime years of his career, as an addition to the core.

The value of those deals and the assets spent extend beyond this year. I think they were brought in to kick the window wider - but I don't think they move the Flames into the true upper echelon.

On paper do I think the Flames are one of the best 5 teams in the NHL? No.
Did I think would be securely in a playoff spot at this point? No.

When I look at the teams near and around the Flames it seems to me they all have similar talent levels and flaws.

So i'm not sure why people expected them to be way further ahead at this point. I just don't see it based on the roster assembled.

Well, I am glad that you are satisfied with middle of the pack. I am not. And I do not think this roster is middle of the pack, talent-wise. I would take that a step further and say that anyone who does, should be lobbying for another rebuild, because this core is going to be the core for a long time.

Things ebb and flow. One day a player looks like a world-beater and on another day, it seems like they may never score again. That is part of sports. So judging the talent of a team is a very fluid and volatile exercise.

However, I think it is always fair to step back and ask the question is the team performing as well as they should be? Are we getting as much out of the roster as we should be? Is the team overachieving, under-achieving, or right where they should be?

And every time I ask myself that question regarding this team I always end up with the same answer. They are not performing to the level they should be.

Like EE said about a hundred posts ago: Gulutzan is a smart guy, a likable guy, a great Xs and Os guy. But he isn't a good bench boss. He isn't getting enough out of the team, and they simply aren't competing to the level they should be.

I have been a STH for 15 years. There have been good years, bad years, and ugly years. But there have been few years more frustrating than this one. many times this season - and again last night - I sat there wondering why I dish out the money I do for the privilege of being repeatedly frustrated.

The team is better than what we are seeing on home ice. Some of that is on the players, no question. But some of that is also on the coach. Last night was a blatant example.

It's time for this core to take the next step. But it keeps on not taking that step. And IMO, a major reason why is that Gulutzan isn't capable of getting them there.

[Monahammer]

I think Glenn is the perfect embodiment of the Peter Principle. He has all of the elements (and even some track record!) of a fantastic assistant coach. He has struggled to stay afloat (even tread water) in his time as a head coach.

The Peter principle is a concept in management theory formulated by educator Laurence J. Peter and published in 1969. It states that the selection of a candidate for a position is based on the candidate's performance in their current role, rather than on abilities relevant to the intended role. Thus, employees only stop being promoted once they can no longer perform effectively, and "managers rise to the level of their incompetence".

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Wild GM

That's not how I would answer the question.
The assets were not spent on short-term rentals for 1 year. Rather they were largely spent
- To address the #1 need on the team (goaltending) that was going to otherwise prevent the team from having any chance of competing
- To bring in a guy, in the prime years of his career, as an addition to the core.

The value of those deals and the assets spent extend beyond this year. I think they were brought in to kick the window wider - but I don't think they move the Flames into the true upper echelon.

On paper do I think the Flames are one of the best 5 teams in the NHL? No.
Did I think would be securely in a playoff spot at this point? No.

When I look at the teams near and around the Flames it seems to me they all have similar talent levels and flaws.

So i'm not sure why people expected them to be way further ahead at this point. I just don't see it based on the roster assembled.

We're not talking about 'Upper Echelon' or 'Top 5 Teams in the NHL' but they should be comfortably in a playoff spot. One of the top 16 teams in the NHL.

You'd spend all of your assets in the top 3 rounds of the draft to 'maybe' make the playoffs?

The fact that they didnt Draft Protect their 1st rounder would indicate to me that this team is expected to make the playoffs, not fight a half-dozen other teams to maybe make the playoffs.

Those are the expectations that the moves made by management appear to have set.

The fact of the matter is that this team is under-performing compared to the quality, and cost, both in actual Cap Dollars and Assets, of the roster.

[Enoch Root]

I do not think the Flames are top 5 in the NHL. However, I do think they should be in the 6 to 10 range. Or at worst the 8 - 12 range.

In the relatively thin Pacific this season, they should be comfortably in a playoff spot right now.

I cannot believe that anyone thinks that they haven't under-achieved to their abilities so far this season.

[Gunkle]

I just wonder about GG’s gafs and how that must make an impression on the players.
They’re just going to tune him out and attribute him to ‘amateur hour’.
Then, everyone plays their own system. A cluster ensues.
At that point, throw all the sticks you want.

[SportsJunky]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

I cannot believe that anyone thinks that they haven't under-achieved to their abilities so far this season.

This probably sums it up. It comes down to expectations. It sounds like you (and many others here) had high expectations of the team for this season. The fact that they aren't taking the next step as many believed they would this year must be frustrating to some.

Personally, I didn't believe that they would challenge for the Pacific. I thought they had a better than average chance at getting into the playoffs though. I still do. I'm not calling for anyone's head. They are right about where I thought they'd be.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Gunkle

I just wonder about GG’s gafs and how that must make an impression on the players.
They’re just going to tune him out and attribute him to ‘amateur hour’.
Then, everyone plays their own system. A cluster ensues.
At that point, throw all the sticks you want.

On the flip-side though, what Brouwer did and said does show that at least some of the players are willing to fight for him. They havent quit on him, they appear to like him and play for him.

But the gaffs have to stop. Maybe its time for GG to start watching some tape.

Its always been his weakness. He loves his system and hes obviously quite tactically astute, its the games within the game and the motivation and manipulation of players and situations that seem hopelessly beyond him.

When to take your time-out, when to challenge, when to switch your lines, etc.

[mikephoen]

Originally Posted by SportsJunky

This probably sums it up. It comes down to expectations. It sounds like you (and many others here) had high expectations of the team for this season. The fact that they aren't taking the next step as many believed they would this year must be frustrating to some.

Personally, I didn't believe that they would challenge for the Pacific. I thought they had a better than average chance at getting into the playoffs though. I still do. I'm not calling for anyone's head. They are right about where I thought they'd be.

Do you think they'll ever be a contender? What is going to happen to push them into a top 5 team, assuming you think this will ever happen?

[cannon7]

If this was expected to be a middling team, we sure gave up a lot of assets to get here. Doesn't seem worth it.

[Manhattanboy]

As a long time season ticket holder I too am frustrated with the performance of the team on home ice this year, particularly the last two games. Maybe a post-break pass is justified. I don't know.

GG better be prepared for these next two games. He better be at the rink until after well after midnight tonight preparing. He better have the team ready to play complete games. His tenure as head coach may well come down to these next two games before the All-Star weekend.

Another loss to EDM and I am firmly back on the fire GG train.

[cross16]

Pretty thin line to the whole expectations thing. Blues are 7th in the NHL, 3 points up on Flames, Flames have 2 games in hand and blues are 5-4-1 in their last 10. 2 pts back of Dalles (9th in the league) with a game in hand. 1 pt back of Leafs (10th spot) with 2 games in hand and Leafs are 3-4-3 in their last 10. It does come down to expectations but that is a pretty thin margin of error to be under achieving.

I also think part of it is how you view the Hamonic trade. I personally never thought it was a great deal and it's certainly looking like it wasn't a very good deal so should that impact your expectations? Especially when you could argue that Treliving prioritized the wrong asset (scoring was biggest weakness).

[SportsJunky]

Originally Posted by mikephoen

Do you think they'll ever be a contender? What is going to happen to push them into a top 5 team, assuming you think this will ever happen?

Of course I think they'll be a contender. Hopefully soon. Looking at the roster I'm actually surprised that some folks around here thought they'd be a top team. I suppose that's part of being a fan. High expectations. Nothing wrong with that. Honestly though, if you take Mike Smith's incredible goaltending out of the equation and put in an average goalie performance, is this team challenging for the playoffs? Probably not. To me, that's a player issue more than a coach issue. A few more pieces are needed. Again, I think they have a good team. Probably a playoff team. I think that's great for this year. I'm hopeful that I'll be watching these guys play in the post season.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

I do not think the Flames are top 5 in the NHL. However, I do think they should be in the 6 to 10 range. Or at worst the 8 - 12 range.

In the relatively thin Pacific this season, they should be comfortably in a playoff spot right now.

I cannot believe that anyone thinks that they haven't under-achieved to their abilities so far this season.

Maybe your expectations that arent realistic?

I personally thought they would be fighting for a playoff spot right til the end of the year...and i expect that is what transpires. This is still a very young team (core wise) and they are playing like it. No surprise there.

[Gunkle]

Originally Posted by Locke

On the flip-side though, what Brouwer did and said does show that at least some of the players are willing to fight for him. They havent quit on him, they appear to like him and play for him.

But the gaffs have to stop. Maybe its time for GG to start watching some tape.

Its always been his weakness. He loves his system and hes obviously quite tactically astute, its the games within the game and the motivation and manipulation of players and situations that seem hopelessly beyond him.

When to take your time-out, when to challenge, when to switch your lines, etc.

Too true! A good coach realizes that he has to make the best with what he has been given.
Not that I’m a Patriots fan, but I remember hearing about when Bellick got Brady. He said he knew greatness when he saw it, and threw out his old offense so he could cater to Brady’s singular skill set. I think GG knows hockey, but perhaps doesn’t realize that the highest calling of coaching isn’t necessarily tactical, but is an identifier of talent, and from there grows and inspires others to become better.
GG just seems like a one dimensional ‘my way or the highway’ type.