[PGT] Oilers 8 Flames 3 everything is fine

[Oil Stain]

Originally Posted by N-E-B

Why are people surprised that Lucic didn’t fight? Who on Edmonton is going to fight him? Kassian? Nurse? They’re two of the fakest tough guys in the league who go after guys that are clearly a step below them and beat on them, but they’d never fight someone they know could beat them.

Nurse has already fought Lucic, but that is besides the point.

I'm not sure what people are expecting Lucic to do. Many Calgary fans didn't like the Kassian take down on Tkachuk, but are kind of expecting Lucic to do the same?

It's not like the Oilers were bullying the Flames over the last couple of games. With the exception of Tkachuk vs Kassian, and Smith vs Talbot, the other fights featured Oilers that were significantly smaller than their Flame counterparts. RNH vs Monahan, Bear vs Tkachuk, Khaira vs Buddy. All those guys gave up size.

I'm sure if a Flame wants to go back after Gagner he'll be happy to oblige, but its not like they really need Lucic for that.

[OldDutch]

I don’t think a fight was needed. People wanted him to be nasty to play against. If he laid a few big hits he would have got zero flack.

Now if an expectation is Lucic would bring physicality to high stakes games is unwarranted that is one conversation. I believe many would argue that is what he is supposed to bring in lieu of points.

To see everyone getting physical except Lucic is similar to Johnny not getting points. They are effectively of little use for high pay.

[standinmotion]

Originally Posted by Oil Stain

Nurse has already fought Lucic, but that is besides the point.

I'm not sure what people are expecting Lucic to do. Many Calgary fans didn't like the Kassian take down on Tkachuk, but are kind of expecting Lucic to do the same?

I'd like to see him to be physical. I don't expect him to goon up and jump on people for no reasons.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

Well after 4 coaches some of the core players deserve their fair share of the blame.

I think coaching could be upgraded. I hope it is in fact.

I just don't think that will magically solve the biggest problem the team has had this year, the scared, soft, careless play of Gaudreau.

I mean we're arguing about two separate issues here. I originally only took issue with your suggestion that a coaching change might turn Gaudreau into a Patrick Kane or a Mitch Marner. I think that's absurd to pin the difference on those players on the coach. It's quite clear that Gaudreau is no Kane and no coach is going to change that unless Johnny himself wants to change it.

Is there room for improvement in the coaching? Sure is. I'd love to get an upgrade there. But anyone suggesting Gaudreau's poor play is on the coach is out to lunch IMO.

I don't think anyone has blamed Gaudreau's play on the coaching. He has to answer for his own bad play, no question about it.

(With one caveat: I think one reason that he is doing the same button hook at the blueline, with the same frustrating results over and over, is that he is ahead of his line-mates, and hitting the blueline on his own. Last year, he had options to move the puck. This year, he is a one-man rush as often as not. In that respect, coaching has to take some of the blame.)

But while Gaudreau needs to answer for his own play, the passive defensive scheme, and the abandonment of the transitional game, are very much coaching issues. And they are not the only coaching issues.

By no means do I blame everything on the coaching. However, it is very difficult to evaluate players under a crappy system. Get a good system in place, then we can better see which players are carrying their weight and which ones aren't.