The trials and tribulations of Glen Gulutzan

[Enoch Root]

Remember when Klimchuk started last season at a crazy hot pace?

You don't make roster changes based on a couple of weeks worth of sample.

[Psytic]

How would Alain Vigneault look behind the Flames bench if he gets let go I wonder. I know he has the Rangers playing like hot garbage right now but historically I thought he was pretty good.

[bubbsy]

Originally Posted by Psytic

How would Alain Vigneault look behind the Flames bench if he gets let go I wonder. I know he has the Rangers playing like hot garbage right now but historically I thought he was pretty good.

When he had that Canuck team going their d's ability to transition from their zone quickly up the ice to the forwards was second to none. Could make sense with the make up of this team.

[868904]

I'm not sold on GG but it is still early, having said that, Tre has to identify the drop dead date on GG. With no first round pick, the flames have to make the playoffs. I think the drop dead date is 25 games, if the flames still haven't turned it around, GG has to go, and Tre has to hire Darryl Sutter. There would be no other option, best coach available period.

I think it would be interesting to see as I think everyone's favourites might not be Sutters favourites. Guys like Gaudreau and Hamilton might struggle under Sutter but guys like Ferland and Bennett might flourish.

[joejoe3]

If sutter comes back, you have a good chance iggy will be back too. There's your possible coaching and RW resolution.

[camm13]

Originally Posted by joejoe3

If sutter comes back, you have a good chance iggy will be back too. There's your possible coaching and RW resolution.

No.

No to both.

[Calgary4LIfe]

I still think that it is too early to really consider firing Gulutzan. I am neither fond of him, nor do I hate him. I think another 10 or so games will be a more fair sample size for us to see where this team is at and how they are executing.

I will say this, however. I have felt for a long time that a team's captain and his leadership is not even a quarter as important as that of a coach. The coach is (and imo, always has been) the de facto leader of any team. Darryl was a great leader, and his teams always seem to work cohesively. Hartley was a good leader I felt, and that is why for ~2 seasons or so, this team worked cohesively. I still haven't seen the same representative sample out of Gulutzan for any significant length of time. I didn't see it under Playfair, or Keenan, or Brent Sutter. I wouldn't say that at this point, Gulutzan isn't capable of becoming that leader, but I haven't seen a Calgary Flames team that goes on a long stretch playing with the same mindset.

I do think that if there is a coaching change, I would bet that a task master will be taking over. If I am a player on the Flames' squad, I would be doing all that I could do to support Gulutzan at the moment. Their effort level this past game wasn't up to snuff. It was not a team that played with energy or urgency as you might well expect after being called out by their head coach, and I think that was a significant statement (intended or not).

When a coach calls out a team, and said team continues to play exactly the same (or worse), that usually does signify a lame-duck coach. If they had lost, but the effort was there, it would say to me that they are simply not executing. I am not exactly saying that the players are intentionally tuning-out Gulutzan, but I do find it very interesting that the came out with little to no energy.

It will be interesting to see who Treliving brings on board IF a change happens. Maybe they keep Cameron on as an interim, but I find that with the lack of draft picks, Treliving will probably be more inclined to for a push. Darryl Sutter would be the most interesting replacement, as I do think that he fits-in quite well with what both Burke and Treliving have been saying for a few seasons now - black and blue hockey, speed, possession hockey, etc. He does seem to check-off all the required categories, and to me that makes it really interesting. He may really not be interested at all in joining the Flames after what happened here at the end of his tenure as GM, but he does make for quite an interesting candidate.

If I am Eric Francis, I would be writing the most positive and complimentary articles about Gulutzan right now.

Hopefully the Flames just go on a really nice winning streak and get their mojo back. If they are still hovering around 500 at the 20 game mark, and they are still looking so inconsistent and giving what appears to be half-assed efforts, I know I will be swayed to hop onto the 'fire Gulutzan' bandwagon. For now, sitting here on the fence is looking pretty good. I am always ok with a coaching upgrade unless a team is knocking it out of the park.

I will say this though, if the Flames are going to have a losing season, it better be just as fun to watch as those seasons under Hartley. I want to see development in the young players, especially development in young players that seemed like they have stalled in development, or who haven't been afforded much of an opportunity. I want to see the same culture be re-implemented as it was - high work ethic and a relentless team. I also want to see a quick youth movement. As much as I think Stajan is a great guy, and I am actually glad that he is on the team to help the youth adjust, I am not very interested in watching a losing team give Stajan a season long farwell tour, or any of the other aging and/or arguably replacement level vets on the team like Brouwer and Glass. I want 4 scoring lines. If Glass and Brouwer are still taking up a spot, I want to see them fighting and sticking up for this team the instant that something happens. I understand why they are in the lineup most nights. I believe in depth. Depth is only great when you are trying to contend. If this team is going to have another disappointing 'rebuild' year (which will be very painful given the lack of draft picks), then I will start viewing that depth as an impediment to graduating replacement-level players into the lineup. Heck, I think Freddie Hamilton is a much more important future piece of this team than Brouwer will be, or Glass, or probably Stajan (depending on how much stock you put into having high-character vets help to establish a culture and help young players become professionals).

Such an up and down season to start already, all eleven games in. Let's see what the next 11 gives us.

[JohnnyB]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

...

I will say this, however. I have felt for a long time that a team's captain and his leadership is not even a quarter as important as that of a coach. The coach is (and imo, always has been) the de facto leader of any team. Darryl was a great leader, and his teams always seem to work cohesively. Hartley was a good leader I felt, and that is why for ~2 seasons or so, this team worked cohesively. I still haven't seen the same representative sample out of Gulutzan for any significant length of time. I didn't see it under Playfair, or Keenan, or Brent Sutter. I wouldn't say that at this point, Gulutzan isn't capable of becoming that leader, but I haven't seen a Calgary Flames team that goes on a long stretch playing with the same mindset.

...

Agreed on this. I find it hard to see the coaching as working when the team was playing great to end the season last year but looks so uninspired and out-of-joint this year. I really enjoyed watching them on their winning streak, as they played beautiful possession hockey, but they are painfully boring to watch now. Taking time to learn the system is one thing, but learning it and then not performing it is a problem.

The story of the beers on the train could also be much more a story of player leadership than coaching leadership. If that's what it takes to get a team to play together, the coach may not be doing a great job of managing the team's emotions. Emotion and inspiration is largely the domain of leadership.

I can't say I dislike the system itself, because the system looked great end of last year, but I hate the lack of emotion.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by JohnnyB

Agreed on this. I find it hard to see the coaching as working when the team was playing great to end the season last year but looks so uninspired and out-of-joint this year. I really enjoyed watching them on their winning streak, as they played beautiful possession hockey, but they are painfully boring to watch now. Taking time to learn the system is one thing, but learning it and then not performing it is a problem.

The story of the beers on the train could also be much more a story of player leadership than coaching leadership. If that's what it takes to get a team to play together, the coach may not be doing a great job of managing the team's emotions. Emotion and inspiration is largely the domain of leadership.

I can't say I dislike the system itself, because the system looked great end of last year, but I hate the lack of emotion.

Actually after the 10 game winning streak they went 5-6 to finish the regular season and then swept in the playoffs so essentially 5-10 once the winning streak expired. If you carry it into this season they are 10-16 following the winning streak. It seems to me once the winning streak ended they reverted back to their uninspired, mediocre play that has simply carried over into this season. I realize some fans will steadfast remain positive but I really don't know how any fan cannot accept the truth that outside the two winning streaks, this team has not really played well under Gulutzan. There's mounting evidence that it's simply not working out as good teams don't rely on long winning streaks to keep their heads above water. If anything the winning streaks are the aberration and sub .500 hockey is the norm.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by Sandman

I'll say it yet again-we were arguably the best team in the league in the second half of last season, and we for sure were the best for a stretch of almost 2 months. That certainly is not due to Elliott playing well.

What???? Johnson playing incredible for a stretch and then Elliot all of a sudden catching fire was a HUGE part of that second half record, especially during the win streak.

[ForeverFlameFan]

I think basically all I ask from GG is consistency. We’re not getting that at all.

[Da_Chief]

Originally Posted by BlackWallStreet

What the hell is going on with Sam Bennett? 0 points so far? Ur the highest drafted flame ever. step your game up kid ... what the f is wrong with u

Dude has had 4 goal game once already in his illustrious career. What is wrong with you? Don't ever question Bennett and his ability again. Your post is almost ban worthy.

[TheFlamesVan]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Remember when Klimchuk started last season at a crazy hot pace?

You don't make roster changes based on a couple of weeks worth of sample.

I could understand someone's argument that GG sticks with a line combo too long when they are struggling.

But do you know what I absolutley couldn't stand? Hartley blending the lines 3 minutes in, and every 3 shifts after that. You need to give players time to learn how to play together. GG gives them time, and has shown that he will make a change after continued failure. I prefer GG's style here over Hartleys.

However Brouwer on the PP makes zero sense to me. Or on the top 6. He's played a lot better as of late, when he's battling on the boards and in front he's at his best.

[Teroy]

If they're going to replace GG then go out and find someone new. I'm tired of the retreads.

[jayswin]

Darryl Sutter would be considered a retread to you?

[JJFlash]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Are you suggesting no fans understand how dynamic the game of hockey is? None?

I will be the first to admit that I don't understand GG's strategic thinking. I think GG tries to show everyone how smart he is and looks like a dumbass in the process. There are 2 basic principles in team sports. The first is make everyone feel like they have a role on the team. If Lack is your back up goalie...show that you believe in him. Secondly, build a platform for younger player to progress and secure a job on the team. If GG limits a young players playing time it should only be because they can't perform at the same level as the rest of the players or they continue to make the same mistakes.

It is really easy to limit a players playing time making it very difficult to be productive, just so you can show people that you are smart and was right about the prospect all along. On the contrary, it is far more difficult to slowly build up the confidence of a player with a balance of sheltering and encouragement. It serves little purpose for a coach to get into the head of a young prospect by rotating him in and out of the line ups or up and down the line up. GG needs to know that it's ok to not be the smartest player in the room.

[Classic_Sniper]

There’s a lot of overthinking and overreacting in this thread. Fact is, this team played phenomenal hockey last season after the first month onwards despite having extremely suspect goaltending throughout the season. Brian Elliott barely stole the team games last season and gave up a lot of weak goals that lost this team games they should have won and ultimately his performance crushed this team in the playoffs. If it was Mike Smith in net last season we might have actually been contending for the Pacific division title or even possibly the President’s trophy.

We’re losing close games right now. So it’s not like the team is unprepared for the matchup. It’s the lack of execution and lack of discipline that’s the main culprit and that’s on the players.

The 3 biggest reasons why we’ve lost 6 games so far:

1) Too many bad penalties taken from the same players = this is an individual problem from players who are trigger happy with their sticks
2) Special teams = once again the PP and PK is struggling just like last season = They turned it around before, let’s see if they can do it again. If not, these ones are on Paul Gerrard and Dave Cameron)
3) No positive contribution or production from the bottom six = I’ve already said my piece about this in the Treliving thread, so I won’t go over it again. But fact is, the first 2 lines can’t score every game so they need help from the other 6-8 forwards and they haven’t done anything remotely positive. 1 goal between 8 guys is not going to cut it. If these guys can’t find a way to contribute at least to the same level they did last season, we’re not going to win these close games. That’s just the way it is, if the top 2 lines in a game cancel eachother out, what chance do we have to win with bottom guys. I wouldn’t be betting on them right now that’s for sure. That’s on Treliving.

Gulutzan certainly isn't impervious to part of the blame right now, but he certainly isn’t doing a poor enough job to be considered as this team’s sacrificial scapegoat.

[Psytic]

I really feel we don’t have the horses for a Sutter style team. I think someone like Vignault would be better suited if he gets let go by the Rangers. We have a similar makeup to the Canucks the year they went to the cup. We have a puck moving goalie who stands on his head, excellent offensive d man, two pests that can actually play hockey, the 3M can cycle as well the Sedins used to. We should be working the transition game with this group not playing black and blue hockey they really aren’t that good a fit for Sutters style imo. We would be better being more aggressive and forcing turnovers 5v5 and on the PK.

[GeoRock]

Just reflecting in last season and how GG placed Chaisson on the top line for the bulk of the season... It really is confusing. We have a team with bottom six guys like Bennett and Lazar, who have demonstrated they are capable of much more, yet they are given little ice time and rare opportunities to play with the top guys. No one here is going to say Chaisson is better than Bennett, so why the f does he get a season with Johnny and Mony while Bennett is relegated to the bottom 6 and less than 10 mins per game? It's the same with Ferland this year, I love the guy, but he's not a top line winger. The bulk of the line structuring really doesn't make sense.

This armchair coach thinks Treliving has put together an excellent collection of players and there's really no reason we should be struggling like this.

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[Vinny01]

Gotta think Tippet would be on the short list of replacements if the Flames Go that way.

Taking a bottom 5 team to the playoffs probably gives GG at least some breathing room. I doubt he is fired unless this team has a brutal November.

I don’t think the Flames want to risk having that pick going to the Islanders being top 10