The Deal With Geoff Ward

[Jason14h]

The pattern for the Flames is the same since the Playoffs

First time playing a team - Look Great, PP clickiing, PK good - Fans think we are worldbeaters
Second time playing same team - Even game , one terrible period, PP still gets a goal, PK running around
Third Time - Outplayed for most the game, PP can't enter zone, 2 PP goals against
Fourth Time - Miracle if we touch the puck, PP drop pass getting picked off, Shorties against us

etc, etc, etc

Goaltender may steal us a game, or JG may have a magic moment or 2, but the pattern remains

This year it will be even more obvious with the games being mini series.

We get out coached badly the more we see the same opponent.

[redforever]

The constant "blending" of lines only proves that Ward has no idea what he is doing.

Ward has to go but so does Treliving. Treliving is just as responsible for the mess that the team is in.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by New Era

I hate to break it to you folks, Ward ain't going anywhere until Treliving is fired, and that ain't happening until the season has ended. With Ward in place the season is pretty much done. As Rhettzky pointed out, the players (especially Tkachuk) appear to be playing out the string and burning off another disappointing year off their contracts and leaving but a crack in the window for this core. It's over folks, and it all lands on the head of Brad Treliving. Ward never should have been extended and that decision has washed away any positive benefit from other moves. So get used to the losses piling up and the frustrations building until fans start tuning out the team, which is just starting. Only when that hits critical mass will the ownership pull their heads out of their asses and book Treliving a one way ticket on the next SpaceX flight to the sun.

I guess my fear is that even if this team misses the playoffs the chances may be high that Treliving and Ward come back. With no paid attendance and revenue down I just can't see this ownership group cleaning house and eating the last years on their contracts while going out and paying to hire new management and coaches. It's very possible we could be in for another year of Ward/Treliving hockey no matter how bad this season plays out.

[JTech780]

It sure seems like Ward is trying to coach the 2011 Boston Bruins, instead of the 2021 Calgary Flames. They are trying to be a grind it out, battle along the boards, dump and chase type of team, but that isn't the way this team is built.

I do think that this team has issues with the core and leadership group, but those issues aren't going to get addressed in season.

I just don't think this team is a playoff team this year with the systems that are currently in place.

[TheSquatch]

That's the unfortunate reality. Ward and staff are on the cheap and money's tight. So it is what it is, win or lose, this year. And next.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

I guess my fear is that even if this team misses the playoffs the chances may be high that Treliving and Ward come back. With no paid attendance and revenue down I just can't see this ownership group cleaning house and eating the last years on their contracts while going out and paying to hire new management and coaches. It's very possible we could be in for another year of Ward/Treliving hockey no matter how bad this season plays out.

I fear that as well, but I think you're going to see a massive revolt in the season ticket base if this team fails in the all too spectacular way it is. Make no mistake, COVID is something that could really change people's perspective on spending. When they consider the potential of spending money on season tickets of another Treliving/Ward combination, I have pretty high confidence the decision to renew will be to the negative. At that point the owners will be forced to bite the bullet. The fans will determine the fate of both of these bozos and it will start with flagging viewership on the broadcasts for the rest of the season, then be hammered home when season ticket renewals begin to be passed up or cancelled early.

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by TheSquatch

That's the unfortunate reality. Ward and staff are on the cheap and money's tight. So it is what it is, win or lose, this year. And next.

Peters on the payroll still for this year but is gone after.
Ward on the books this year and next, but it's not at an exorbitant price.
There's also some dead money in buyouts until after next season (Brouwer) but Stone's buyout is off the books after this season.

If you want a good coach you gotta pay for it - Vigneault and Quennville are getting north of $5 mill a year but look at where their teams are in their Divisions. Torts (2.5) and Sutter (2-3) are basically the best bet if ownership are still trying to save as much money as possible yet put a proven Cup winner behind the bench.

[Toonage]

I don't have any proof in front of me but if someone else is familiar with the story maybe they can fill in the blanks, but is it not true that Murray Edwards wanted Darryl Sutter back but Treliving convinced him otherwise?

[kukkudo]

Jut realized if they do go after another coach especially in the states they would have to quarantine etc. Does Sutter still live in Alberta? He could come in right away.

[JohnnyB]

Originally Posted by Toonage

I don't have any proof in front of me but if someone else is familiar with the story maybe they can fill in the blanks, but is it not true that Murray Edwards wanted Darryl Sutter back but Treliving convinced him otherwise?

If that's true, that's damning for Tre.

[mile]

Darryl Sutter would personally be my #1 choice, but there’s a few reasons why I can see Treliving not wanting to hire him.

1. Style of Play: Doesn’t think Darryl would be a great fit for the “modern game”, which is a term I believe he’s used when he hired Gulutzan and Peters. Might not want the offensive production (and trade value) of his top players to fall the same way like they did in Sutter’s last year in LA (Kopitar only put up 52 points, then 92 the following year. Brown only 36 points, then 61. Doughty 44 points, then 60).

I disagree with this, I think the Flames’ issues are motivational and psychological and not with X’s and O’s - I think the little things he did in LA to foster that “us against the world” mentality in both their cup runs is something this team really needs. I also think Sutter is smart enough to adapt to today’s game.

2. Doesn’t want a potential repeat of the Peters situation, which was really stressful for Treliving to handle. Dan Carcillo didn’t have great things to say about Sutter after the Peters and Babcock stories broke out and hinted he had more stories.

3. Doesn’t want to risk a potential power struggle with a former GM of this team, and someone who Ownership has a strong relationship with. Seems like a reach as I don’t think Treliving seems like the kind of person to put himself above others for the sake of the team, but I’ve seen other posters speculate about this.

If I had to guess it’s 1 and 2. I don’t think being employed with Anaheim would be an issue as he’s only an advisor working from home and would have no strong reason to stop him from going anywhere else. Too bad as I think the Flames would be the only team he would come out of retirement for, as I think he announced his retirement only after the Peters hire. He knew there was unfinished business in Calgary and wanted another shot.

[Ashasx]

There's almost no way that rumour is true. Why would anyone else know about that besides BT and ME?

[Ashasx]

The number of excuses the 960 guys are making for Ward is pretty unreal. The blame seems to be entirely on the players at this point.

Gotta keep the coach happy I guess.

[Psytic]

Originally Posted by Toonage

I don't have any proof in front of me but if someone else is familiar with the story maybe they can fill in the blanks, but is it not true that Murray Edwards wanted Darryl Sutter back but Treliving convinced him otherwise?

Wow. Where did you hear this? Might need to sharpen the pitchforks.

[mile]

Originally Posted by Toonage

I don't have any proof in front of me but if someone else is familiar with the story maybe they can fill in the blanks, but is it not true that Murray Edwards wanted Darryl Sutter back but Treliving convinced him otherwise?

https://twitter.com/user/status/986957275741831169

That is the story, but it came from Dreger so not sure how much truth there was into that.

https://twitter.com/user/status/986358093494681600

At the very least we know Sutter has a good relationship with Ownership and probably keep in touch.

[dissentowner]

Well wtf is ownership waiting for? Call the man up and get him back here. If Brad doesn't like it he can go too.

[Psytic]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

The number of excuses the 960 guys are making for Ward is pretty unreal. The blame seems to be entirely on the players at this point.

Gotta keep the coach happy I guess.

Best thing is to trade Bennett and any stars that arent happy Ala Marc Savard to keep our prized coach happy. It worked before right.

[Moneyhands23]

Originally Posted by mile

https://twitter.com/user/status/986957275741831169

That is the story, but it came from Dreger so not sure how much truth there was into that.

https://twitter.com/user/status/986358093494681600

At the very least we know Sutter has a good relationship with Ownership and probably keep in touch.

Hopefully ownership gives Sutter a call this weekend!

[ComixZone]

Help us Murray Edwards, you’re our only hope. Get Darryl on the f’ing phone.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Those tweets are from 2018. A lot has changed since then, especially the game. Sutter would be a bad choice.