[News] Head coach Bob Hartley fired; Associate coach Jacques Cloutier not returning

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by Magnum PEI

Theyre RFA July 1st no? Theres been negotiations since February.

You just said so yourself, RFA July 1st. Do you consider this process held up? Based on the fact they are under contract until July 1st, when they aren't they are RFA, and the fact that they are likely negotiating two long term deals of grave importance to each player and this organization, I'd say the fact the deals aren't done yet is not surprising nor any indication of any sort of hold up.

[Magnum PEI]

OK, you could be right I don't really know how long these things usually take.

[dash_pinched]

Originally Posted by Blaster86

They want defensive responsibility so they're bringing in Bruce Boudreau?

Didn't Anaheim allow the fewest goals during the regular season? *Performs a quick lookup*

Yup, they sure did with 192.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by calgaryblood

Am I missing something? That's exactly how he spelt it.

Look at Hnat's last name, now look at that users username.

[locsofblu]

Do not want Boudreau. Hasn't done anything special ever. Good luck Bob, you"all be coaching again in no time.

[JJ1532]

My thoughts on this FWIW. I liked Hartley. He was a good quote and whilst his brand of hockey was lacking in the statistical department and often in the results department, the Flames were never dull during his tenure. I found a lot of the games under him to be very enjoyable, even those where we fell down 3-0 after 40 minutes only to rally in the 3rd period. He played a high scoring and exciting game and I liked how much our defence would activate and generate offence. Whilst we all knew it wasn't sustainable, the hockey we played last season was amazing. When it clicked, we could rock even the best teams in the league, loved every minute of the season. Even this season, when we got going, we could roll over anybody.

However, there were clearly deficiencies that transcended the roster he was given. Even last season, we often found ourselves several goals down and needed a miracle come back to get back into games. Our lack of puck possession, the way we defend in our own zone, our advanced stats, all were suspect. This season, we saw those issues show up frequently. How much you pin on him and how much you pin on the other coaches(Sigalet and Gelinas being 2) and the roster, I don't know. I feel like I'd have given him another year. I don't think our main issues this year were on him, so I feel like its harsh for him to lose his job. Feels 6-12 months too early, but on the flip side, this has felt like its been coming for a while now. He is one of the few coaches that for me didn't fail at his job. Yes, his critics will say he should have made the play offs this season, but I don't think the roster in its current state(especially looking at the goalies) is a play off contender.

End of the day, I think he did his best with what he was given. Maybe another guy could have gotten more out of them this year, I dunno. Either way, he wasn't a failure with us. He can hold his head up high and be proud of what he achieved last season. I genuinely wish him the best and hope he finds work in the future. He's one ex coach I won't be sad to see back at the Dome.

As for Treliving, I like his ruthless streak. He wants to win and will do whatever it takes to do so. I admire that in him. If he gets in a coach that can get more out of these guys whilst being less sandpapery towards them(if the rumours are true), then I won't blame him for this move. Like I said, it does feel like its been coming for a while, just maybe not this soon.

He has a massive few months ahead of him. He could do with pulling off some miracles by getting some of our overpaid guys off the books during the summer. He needs to get Gaudreau and Monahan tied down to some sensible deals that won't kill us long term. He also need to negotiate a raise with Colborne, which might be tricky. The draft poses a lot of questions, as does free agency. Does he trade for a goalie? Does he go for 1-2 in free agency? The decisions he makes between now and the start of October will go a long way towards determining our long term future. I hope he has a candidate lined up and that he's made the right decision here.

As for it possibly being Boudreau, I find some of the slights on him strange. So he loses a load of game 7s? People, we have made the play offs once in the last 7 attempts. If we are even in positions where we are losing game 7s on a consistent basis, I'll take that. He is 41-37 in the post season, which is more than acceptable for a team that hasn't been a consistent play off contender in 7 years. What I will give him credit for is how he pulled the Ducks out of a tail spin this year. They were in a deep hole, but he adapted their style to grind out wins, before returning to a more offensive style. If he does get appointed, I would hope and trust that he realises what kind of roster he has and develops a style based on that. He can't implement the cycle game Anaheim used, we simply haven't got the players for it. He'll have to work out how to play with the highly activate defencemen we have, plus the softer and smaller forward core. He'll have a tough job on his hands working out a system that can see these guys compete with the Kings, Ducks and Sharks, not to mention the tough teams in the central.

Or, if it isn't Boudreau and another guy comes in, they'll have a tough job on their hands. This roster is built to play a certain way and I'm not sure a more defensive system suits them. They clearly enjoyed a lot of freedom under Hartley, so how do they adapt to a possibly more defence minded coach? The pressure will be on them to deliver results from the off next season. Good luck to whoever it may be. I wouldn't mind them looking to the AHL(not Huska) to find a coach. John Hynes did a good job with the Devils, so maybe that route is working looking at. Colour me uninspired if the guys currently on the coaching merry-go-round are the candidates. Don't want Carlyle, Crawford, Yeo etc. If Boudreau isn't our guy, maybe go off the board?

I like the move and don't like the move in equal measure. Treliving is going all in to win and I like that about him. This decision may or may not be the right one, but he's made a major decision to try and improve the team. He has at least a dozen more coming up in the next few months. Over to you Brad.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by locsofblu

Do not want Boudreau. Hasn't done anything special ever. Good luck Bob, you"all be coaching again in no time.

8 division titles in his 8 full seasons as head coach is pretty special.

[Soccergirl1987]

Originally Posted by Magnum PEI

Second hand from a player relative after the all-star break.

I heard the same thing (also from a player's relative), going all the way back to last year. It really surprised me at the time because he's got that friendly media persona, and what was described to me (personality wise, treatment of players, etc.) was not at all what I would have expected.

I have mixed feelings about his firing. 2014-2015 was one hell of a ride, and something I'll never forget, but some of the coaching decision this season, were really frustrating.

Here's to hoping he gets a coaching gig with some other team in the NHL so we won't be deprived of those great quotes :P

[locsofblu]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

8 division titles in his 8 full seasons as head coach is pretty special.

With the teams he's coached anyone could have. Look at his playoff success or lack there of and you'll see what I mean. I'm just not a fan thats all. I believe he leads all coaches with game 7 losses on home ice. I could be wrong though

[OffsideSpecialist]

Despite having good regular seasons, it looks like Quenneville was never great in the playoffs until he went to Chicago. I wouldn't write off Boudreau if we can get him.

[FBI]

That's two swing and a misses for Blaster86, one more for the strikeout!

[dino7c]

this move is getting absolutely ripped on social media so it was probably the right move lol...the lack of knowledge from the average fan is just insane.

"not Bob's fault the team had no offence" was my fav. comment

[Stay Golden]

Treliving did everything but say I am about to throw Bob Hartley under the bus. Thought he came across as a dirt bag.

[getbak]

One year ago today was Game 2 of the Second Round of the playoffs between Anaheim and Calgary. Today, neither of the coaches in that game are employed.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Beauty response by Mony just now on the Fan to Eric asking him if he and Johnny pushed for this move given their contract negotiations.

[handgroen]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

Beauty response by Mony just now on the Fan to Eric asking him if he and Johnny pushed for this move given their contract negotiations.

....

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

Beauty response by Mony just now on the Fan to Eric asking him if he and Johnny pushed for this move given their contract negotiations.

Which was?

[bax]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

Beauty response by Mony just now on the Fan to Eric asking him if he and Johnny pushed for this move given their contract negotiations.

Elaborate please!

[1qqaaz]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

8 division titles in his 8 full seasons as head coach is pretty special.

I would say that averaging 3rd/30 in the NHL over his coaching career is even more special. His most special accomplishment is the fact that he has the highest winning percentage ever (over 300 games coached). In the modern-parity NHL, this is just crazy.

Nevermind his AHL resume, of course.

[domenichelly]

Originally Posted by Alberta_Beef

Look at Hnat's last name, now look at that users username.

Too much attention for my person. Just a guy from far land who dreams to visit Flames game live once. Hope it will be soon.

My oppinion is the same as it was. We all like to see skilled players. Such players can pass and create plays. So was Hudler 2 years ago. He made today's Monahan career. He got most point with him. Now we have Jonny alone. Impossible to demand same style without players.

Lets dream. GM and coach how it should be:
GM - i gave you skilled players with creativity. Why you play such simple game? You are fired.

Our situation.
GM - I gave you hard-working players with limited puck skills. I also took out most creative player in deadline. Why do not you play posession games? You are fired.

If you think that if we will have better style coach it will help to play posession and win? Take a look at Toronto. They have best coach in hockey for today. But finished last. Coaching means a lot when you have skilled players.