Poll: How satisfied are you with the Flames coaching

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by TrentCrimmIndependent

F it

I think the only thing the current system and coaching style is conducive towards is the development of the young d-men not named Parekh, but then again they're not even playing Bruz lately so what's the point.

Bruz can't play any of the last three games or he's ineligible to go to the AHL during the Olympics, and they want him to play.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

If Gilbert had not chased Savard out of town Huska is easily the worst coach this franchise has ever employed.

So over the top.

Have zero problem with you not liking the guy but this level of hyperbole just makes your opinion on the matter irrelevant.

[MacFlame]

Overall, I think they've done a great job with very little to work with. The Flames are playing competitively (though losing) and they've done a great job with the young players, particularly the defenseman.


I gave them them a 7, but perhaps I should have given him an 8. My only issue has been the powerplay.

For whatever reason, I think they've been somewhat reluctant to try young players on it and keep them there. Huberdeau and Weegar have not worked for quite some time now (both on the pp and 5 on 5) and I feel like Kadri at times has been pretty stale (though I think hes been one of if not the most effective on it over the long term). I think that Frost has shown more effectiveness on it in spurts, particularly on entries, though hes been very inconsistent. Hes also good on faceoffs.

I'd also like to see Klapka as a net presence on the pp a lot more often. Not sure why the flames havent tried that more often than they have. After last game, I hope they now see the reality that Zayne needs to be on the #1 pp. Hes the most creative player on the team and the pp is a good way to get him minutes, rather than having him play as a top pairing defender (which he isnt right now).

So yeah, a 7...but perhaps should have given him an 8.

[SutterBrother]

His job is to try to win games. Period. He doesn't care about what the team is going to look like in 3 years.

That's it, that's all. Win tomorrow. Then the next one. He'll use young players in limited roles until they consistently displace a veteran. If he did anything otherwise he'd lose the room.

Until Conroy trades a veteran, he's using the proven veteran. Zayne got PP time because Andersson is gone. That's the only reason.

It's year 3/~5 for Huska. At some point he'll get tuned out during the Rebiggle (see Kadri), and that'll be that.

5/10

[Hot_Flatus]

Complaining about coaching is my biggest gripe with the Flames fanbase. There have been a few worthy of intense critique over the years, but when it comes down to it the talent has rarely been of a level to be hindered or helped either way IMHO.

I think Huska has been fine. He could be a little more adaptable with the youngest roster players, but shortly he will hopefully have no choice as there will not be enough good veterans to play all the minutes available. He's at least keeping the team honest and not allowing the group to fall into oblivion.

[Erick Estrada]

Solid 8 for me and I’m one of those people that was initially underwhelmed with the hire. The team has consistently outperformed the talent level of the roster and he’s a good speaker in front of the camera. Little in the way of locker room controversy which is always a good thing. He maybe resorts to the line blender a little too often but not a lot of complaints outside of the fact he seems to be a little too good of a coach for a tanking team. A worse coach would be delivering higher draft picks which is what this organization needs.

[Burning Beard]

7 for me. The team plays hard most of the time and he is playing kids every night. Seems like a good guy to have around for a rebuild compared to someone like Eakins.

[Erick Estrada]

I feel he’s by far the best head coach the organization has had since non-unhinged Darryl Sutter. That’s not a high bar but a good mark for Conny for identifying a good coach which is something his predecessor could not.

[Super-Rye]

This is a tough one for me. I went 5 so far.

Huska seems like a strong communicator and motivator. The players have played hard for him his entire time here and even in a lost season the guys are still showing up and playing hard which is a tip of the cap to everyone in that dressing room. Some of the younger guys like Bahl and Coronato have taken big steps under him as well.

The down side is he has yet to sniff a playoff game as their head coach. I'm also not a huge fan of some of his player usage this year. He, like most coaches, has his veterans he trusts and seemingly gives those vets long leashes even when they're playing like poop, but pulls the plug on some of the younger guys super quick which I think will eventually get some players tuning him out a bit.

Doesn't seem like an awful coach, doesn't seem like a great coach. Maybe he grows into more? Or maybe he gets fired when this team is ready to compete. Tough to say at this point. Hopefully we see him give younger players more of an opportunity now that the season is very clearly in the bag.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by TrentCrimmIndependent

Pretty sure my thoughts would hurt the feelings of the local Huska/Flames apologists.

I'm not falling for this trap lol.

But yeah, between about a 3 and 5.

This isn't a trap. As mentioned this was a poll requested by gvitaly, and I asked him what approach and wording he wanted. He voted Huska a 4 so certainly not an apologist

But at least you are predictable. I even told him that "I want to make sure I use your preferred wording as some view me as a Huska homer and will accuse me of biasing the poll"

Ding ding.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

I feel he’s by far the best head coach the organization has had since non-unhinged Darryl Sutter. That’s not a high bar but a good mark for Conny for identifying a good coach which is something his predecessor could not.

I always thought Playfair deserved more than one season.

[Bingo]

I went with an 8, and I'm not a huge Huska fan.

I think he's getting more out of this group than expected (last year and this year honestly).

I'm not sure he's the guy to lead this team when the Flames are on a solid footing again, but lets see how the bottoming out and build up goes.

[Vinny01]

He has this team working hard every night which is commendable but I also think this team has been incredibly boring to watch for the last 3 years. I have no issue with Huska and am fine with him continuing on beyond this season but also wouldn’t be sad if they pulled the plug.

Solid 5 for me

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

He has this team working hard every night which is commendable but I also think this team has been incredibly boring to watch for the last 3 years. I have no issue with Huska and am fine with him continuing on beyond this season but also wouldn’t be sad if they pulled the plug.

Solid 5 for me

Boring roster or boring coach?

Whitecloud said he adapted quickly because Vegas and Calgary play the exact same system.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Boring roster or boring coach?

Whitecloud said he adapted quickly because Vegas and Calgary play the exact same system.

Maybe a bit of both? When I think of Vegas and Bruce Cassidy I do not think of exciting teams either.

[Fighting Banana Slug]

I think 7/8 is about right for me. They are generally the less talented team, but play hard and never give up. When they aren't going, lines are in the blender and player get benched for stretches. I am not sure what else can be expected.

It is tough to scale though. For me, anything less than a 5 should be fireable, as I think 5 should be replacement level. I think Huska is deserving to stay on, but I don't think he would necessarily be in high demand if he were canned. 7ish feels about right.

[taxbuster]

I went with 7, but am really more of a 6.5.

PK has been outstanding.

Goaltending has been excellent at times, and inconsistent at others, but I suspect that’s less on coaching than situational.

PP…mostly not good, occasional flashes of brilliance and fast movement.

Some of the above falls/attributes to Huska.

His system is rigid as to defence…it HAS to be with a lack of proven scorers.
Motivation appears top notch.
Player deployment…meh, mostly and puzzling in the few OT games. Still a bit inconsistent with young guys, but they DO get their chances, if they play the right way.

Doubt anyone could do significantly better with the talent available.


Edit: thanks for posting this poll…should be interesting overall.

[TheIronMaiden]

I am not sure what more you could ask from Huska.

[VilleN]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

If Gilbert had not chased Savard out of town Huska is easily the worst coach this franchise has ever employed.

How do you explain the team missing the playoffs by a point last season? A team that doesn't have a single first line forward, a true number one D-man and a rookie goaltender. Your weird hatred for Huska makes no sense to me.

[Locke]

I have been dissatisfied with coaches in the past, but usually as a result of what I feel are their actions and/or inactions and mistakes.

I cant point to any direct mistakes Huska has made. He doesnt have tendencies that glaringly annoy me, I like his Professionalism, I think he is very polished in his interviews, I've not seen any 'red flags' there.

I really like his post-game locker-room banter with the team. That usually brings a smile to my face.

I would say that my only real major issue with Huska is that I have this undeniable urge to stuff his head into a bowling-ball polishing machine.

Oh and he's never played 5 defencemen on the powerplay....so he's got that going for him...which is nice.