Coach of the Flames: 2014/15 - Page 3 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Erick Estrada · 01-04-2014, 02:59 PM

Hartley's likely done at the end of the season as it's not typical that a head coach survives a new GM hiring and Hartley hasn't established himself as a coach that deserves another season with a bottom 6 and likely bottom 5 finish this season. Yes the talent is poor but he hasn't done enough to likely convince a new GM not to bring his own guy in. Playing hard is great and all but just steering a bad team to an expected bad finish IMO isn't what I would call positive or trending anywhere up.

I'm hoping that the Predators tank and Trotz becomes available. He seems like a perfect coach for a rebuild. It's probably a long shot that he would get relieved of his position but every head coach has a shelf life and it's possible that organization needs a new direction.

dissentowner · 01-04-2014, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Hartley's likely done at the end of the season as it's not typical that a head coach survives a new GM hiring and Hartley hasn't established himself as a coach that deserves another season with a bottom 6 and likely bottom 5 finish this season. Yes the talent is poor but he hasn't done enough to likely convince a new GM not to bring his own guy in. Playing hard is great and all but just steering a bad team to an expected bad finish IMO isn't what I would call positive or trending anywhere up.

I'm hoping that the Predators tank and Trotz becomes available. He seems like a perfect coach for a rebuild. It's probably a long shot that he would get relieved of his position but every head coach has a shelf life and it's possible that organization needs a new direction.

I think Hartley has done a great job, no coach would get more out of this club. As for Trotz to hell with that, I would rather have a team that is entertaining to watch than that boring defensive garbage Nashville plays. Want to kill our young offensive players, just hire Trotz.

Erick Estrada · 01-04-2014, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dissentowner

I think Hartley has done a great job, no coach would get more out of this club. As for Trotz to hell with that, I would rather have a team that is entertaining to watch than that boring defensive garbage Nashville plays. Want to kill our young offensive players, just hire Trotz.

You are worrying about our young players that have combined for 1 goal in the last 5 games being killed by a coach? I get that some of you like Hartley but he's probably going to be replaced in the offseason. Contrary to popular belief Trotz doesn't stifle offensive players. He simply hasn't had any game breakers to work with. Trotz hasn't had a lot to work with in Nashville as far as offensive players go but he gets wins and low talent teams to compete much like Tippett does. He's definitely what I consider one of the better coaches in the league. I'm all about winning personally and I don't care how it's accomplished.

Frank MetaMusil · 01-04-2014, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dissentowner

I think Hartley has done a great job, no coach would get more out of this club. As for Trotz to hell with that, I would rather have a team that is entertaining to watch than that boring defensive garbage Nashville plays. Want to kill our young offensive players, just hire Trotz.

I've wondered if Calgary should go with an associate coach system, one being more offensive and the other more defensive. Nashville seems to be a goalie factory because of the system Trotz has them playing. The Flames haven't been able to balance their offense and defensive schemes through the past 3 coaches, exactly what we are seeing again this season.

Erick Estrada · 01-04-2014, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frank MetaMusil

The Flames haven't been able to balance their offense and defensive schemes through the past 3 coaches, exactly what we are seeing again this season.

That has been an ongoing problem since Darryl Sutter was coach. When they play great defense they can't score and under Keenan and Playfair they scored more goals and played sloppy defense. Even under Brent they had a high scoring season with sloppy defense followed by the exact opposite. Right now I believe it's more a talent deficiency as they scored a lot of goals in the first few months before other teams got on track and players like Monahan with hot starts have cooled off. Outside of Hudler all of the forwards have gone ice cold since December.

Resolute 14 · 01-04-2014, 03:22 PM

Associate coach systems rarely work. Someone has to ultimately be in command.

Flames Draft Watcher · 01-04-2014, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vulcan

I'm not sold on Ward at all. His teams get off to a good start every season and than start falling. The Heat seem to be following the same pattern this season.

Well last year was a bit of a different case as they lost several of their best players after the lockout ended. Then we got a huge rash of injuries which depleted both Calgary and Abbottsford. Ward was kind of handcuffed last year by all the injuries in the organization. The farm team is affected by players getting injured in the NHL which leads to them losing their best players but also the injuries at the AHL level. So they got double hit last year

I guess we'll see how this season ends up for them. I'd expect that we trade a lot of people at the trade deadline and thus we'll be making a lot of recalls at that time. I'd expect the Heat will probably look worse after we steal their best 3-4 players. Pretty standard.

I've been impressed by Ward's work this year and last. Burke has mentioned that he likes what both Ward and Hartley have been doing.

dammage79 · 01-04-2014, 03:35 PM

The Gm search needs to play itself out first.

Personally, I'd look at a guy like Ted Nolan if he doesn't end up sticking with Buffalo.

Erick Estrada · 01-04-2014, 03:38 PM

What's Wards contract status?

dissentowner · 01-04-2014, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dammage79

The Gm search needs to play itself out first.

Personally, I'd look at a guy like Ted Nolan if he doesn't end up sticking with Buffalo.

Jesus....

dammage79 · 01-04-2014, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Jesus....

I've always thought he got a raw deal from NHL fans and the NHL alike. He is a good coach. And sounds like he has tempered with age. He won't be a bad option to look at if available in the off season.

Pierre "Monster" McGuire · 01-04-2014, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

What's Wards contract status?

I believe next year is an option year for the organization.

ShaolinFlame · 01-04-2014, 04:22 PM

Would really like to see Laviolette, but I'm not sure if the team will be mature enough for it. He has had a lot of AHL success in his past though, so maybe he could be a fit.

For what it's worth, him and Burke do have some really strong connections from the American international program.

And for good measure, sad Peter Laviolette pumps gas after being fired:
http://deadspin.com/heres-sad-peter-...gas-1442088587

indes · 01-04-2014, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Jesus

I think that would doom us to eternal 9th place finishes after we all called for his head

DuffMan · 01-04-2014, 04:45 PM

If not Hartley, Pat Quinn.

TheChief · 01-04-2014, 04:58 PM

I'm good with Hartley, gets the most out of this sad team we have here tbh.

Until he puts 5 D on the power play like sutter(gone mad) then I'm in favor of him completely.

Sandman · 01-04-2014, 05:00 PM

I know it wouldn't happen, but i wish Tippett would be fired so we could get him. I'm good with Hartley though.

Young Guns · 01-04-2014, 05:02 PM

Marc Crawford

Calgary4LIfe · 01-04-2014, 05:26 PM

I think it is very difficult to speculate on who may take over until the team hires a GM (GM's like to hire people they are familiar with usually) and who may be available at that time.

I don't think there is any coach that is available now that I would feel would be an upgrade on Hartley. I don't think Hartley is a bad coach at all, and would prefer some stability back there behind the bench for a while. If there is a huge upgrade available in the off-season, and it is someone that the new GM is really comfortable with, then sure. Otherwise, I really think Hartley has thus far been really good, and I say this as really hoping that he wouldn't have been the coach hired in the first place.

I think he has done a lot with what he has been given, and is a positive move forward in the Flames creating an identity. Too many coaching changes coupled with roster changes sometimes gets teams a bit mixed-up (like the Flames the last 10 years almost). I like what Hartley preaches. As for the Flames looking like a mess in their own zone - I would bet most rebuilding teams do. Watch a few Edmonton games, or Buffalo games, or even Florida games, and you can see a very real difference in how the players play the game, and how the team competes, especially in their own zone. You can't expect them to be like LA, or Phoenix, or Chicago in their own zones. They are going to look bad on defence, as it is the most difficult area to coach in and learn at the NHL level.

Mister Yamoto · 01-04-2014, 06:19 PM

I have never been fan of the Bob Hartley hiring. But having said that, the reason why the Flames are 28th is because they have over achieved. Bob Hartley is not the problem. I would be fine with him finishing the season. But I dunno how many more 1 goal weeks he can survive.....

Wait until the summer. Let Burke hire his mock GM. Then see who is available.

One guy who I'd like to see interviewed. Dave Lowry. Also John Stevens currently with the Kings. He got a raw deal in Philly. Might do well under Burke as he really likes tough teams.