[POLL] Calgary Flames coaching change mega-thread—with poll

[midniteowl]

Originally Posted by Badgers Nose

I want Doug Gilmour to be our coach.

jk

Wouldn't that be something, Killer coaching Sammy.

[Badgers Nose]

Originally Posted by midniteowl

Wouldn't that be something, Killer coaching Sammy.

Yeah, whether it's AV or Tippet I really hope they can get a guy that turns some of the sheep into wolves.

A guy like Sam is the perfect example. He needs to want the taste of blood in his mouth. If he isn't scoring goals he can make a frakas.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Good interview with Gully regardless of desires to see him not coach the Flames any further.

Obviously a good human being who takes community and being apart of it very seriously. Tons of respect on a human level.

Yeah he's really is a great guy and I really wish it could have worked out as he's the kind of guy you want to be representing your organization. Such a shame he's not a very good NHL head coach.

[browna]

He's been mentioned before but if AV has no desire to come here, and assuming JQ decides to want to stay in Chicago, would you take a flyer on McLellan?

Playoffs in 7 of the last 10 years, including 6 series wins in that stretch, and of course an assistant with Detroit prior to that. I liked him before Edmonton, and he hasn't really ever seemed comfortable or gotten entrenched in the old boys club there, which is why he's likely on the way out because he doesn't drink the Kool aid. Having his GM throw him under the bus today, himself not part of the old guard either shows that Chia is the dink and where his loyalties lie, as he knows he may not get another GM gig soon.

McLellan has been exasperated outwardly, and am sure with the meddling and off ice pressure that the owner and Lowe advising the owner from the shadows, trotting in Gretzky to evaluate things and then this year Coffey to be a special coach, not surprised if he's fed up with the antics up there internally as well and how it prevents him from full control of the players.

We could do worse, if the second tier includes Tippet and Bill Peters, both who don't have recent playoff success like Todd does. This team needs a coach who has been to the playoffs and had recent success in the playoffs, as that sort of guidence and handling of NHL players in this era, is as key as anything.

[Erick Estrada]

I'm lukewarm on McLellan. At times he did have the Oilers playing well but 2/3 seasons as Oilers head coach have been pretty bad and it seems like a lot of his strategy revolved around playing McDavid as many minutes as possible and starting Talbot until he broke down.

[GoJetsGo]

The optics alone of bringing in a coach that just failed miserably in Edmonton make that option extremely unlikely imo.

[browna]

Originally Posted by GoJetsGo

The optics alone of bringing in a coach that just failed miserably in Edmonton make that option extremely unlikely imo.

Looking well past his time in Edm. Pat Quinn and Tom Renney got hoodwinked. Krueger has proven his character since.

Anyone stronger then the once public, now in the shadows Lowe, wanted out asap after realizing how there were unnecessary pressures and forces applied to players by an organization trying to recreate the 80s for Lowe's ego, got pushed aside or were smart enough to escape.

McLellan made the playoffs 6 straight years and his worst season in SJ where he missed, he had a better record then GG this year.

I don't care about the Oilers optics as they don't apply here. As mentioned, that first season it looked like he knew it was bad, just not as bad and dysfunctional as it was. Listen to him speak from then, he was more then clear that the team had zero confidence in itself from years of a losing environment and leadership at the executive who thought they were smarter then everyone else, as his words that year was often spun by the media a different way, and of course McDavid out early was the reason for that poor season. He like so many others got sucked into that organization and can't get out soon enough.

I think he's an above average coach to be able to make the playoffs that often, and shows that he understands the game today and the players of today.

Again not the top choice or second choice, but ahead of Peters, Ruff, Tippet as that second tier of rumored coaches.

[dammage79]

Did they fire McLellan?

[GoJetsGo]

Originally Posted by browna

I don't care about the Oilers optics as they don't apply here.

I just think the Flames would care a bit more. Regardless of the Oiler-stink I'm luke warm on McLellan, but the fact he's imploded in Edmonton makes him a very difficult choice to bring in if we are indeed cleaning house here. Can't see it happening as it would be a tough sell.

[browna]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Did they fire McLellan?

According to Chiarelli today, the coaches “didn’t perform”. Pretty blunt and quick assessment even though he backed off with the usual “I have to dig deep” speak.

Even pompom Jones said Chia isn’t shouldering enough blame.

[Inferno]

I don't think the Oilers should fire him. They overachieved big time last season. This season they came back down to earth and played how they should have last season. Chiarelli needs to look at himself.

[Calgary4LIfe]

I wouldn't want McLellan. What answers has he come up with in Edmonton? He SEEMED to have that team turned around last season, but here we are again.

Does he have Edmonton playing well defensively? Nope.

Does he have Edmonton doing anything at all except 'McDavid'? Nope.

McLellan was coaching a very strong San Jose team for years - that's why he made the playoffs often. What happened during his time there? The Sharks got the rep of being one of the perennial playoff chokers. Finally they miss the playoffs altogether, people start saying that the team needs to be rebuilt, McLellan moves to Edmonton, and.. voila! A Finals appearance. The first in franchise history.

For me, McLellan is a lot like Boudreau - always coaches good teams but seems to always underachieve/disappoint. One turn-around season in Edmonton (though the building and scheduling maybe had a lot to do with it), and it is back to disappointing.

Get the Flames a Stanley Cup winning coach, or at least one that has led different organizations all the way to the finals. Someone with an actual track record of turning around an organization.

Sutter, Vigneault, Ruff (though perhaps the Rangers keep him and promote him to head coach), Tippett (though with Treliving and Maloney here, won't happen) - these are the available ones that in my mind make sense and have a somewhat proven record, or have at least shown to make a team better than expected. Let's see who else turns up as available.

Sutter and Vigneault so far.

[midniteowl]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

Sutter and Vigneault so far.

I want Sutter.

[GullFoss]

I assume if they let Gully go, it will be in the next couple weeks before season ticket renewal forms go out. The last thing the organisation wants is the optics of weak renewals pressuring them to fire the coach. That would make the team look real Mickey Mouse.

[theslymonkey]

Originally Posted by GullFoss

I assume if they let Gully go, it will be in the next couple weeks before season ticket renewal forms go out. The last thing the organisation wants is the optics of weak renewals pressuring them to fire the coach. That would make the team look real Mickey Mouse.

I really can't see them feeling any pressure to fire a coach based on ticket renewals. Team performance, sure.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by theslymonkey

I really can't see them feeling any pressure to fire a coach based on ticket renewals. Team performance, sure.

I think there's been more than a few of us (STH) in contact with our account reps more or less saying we need to see a plan, or some actions to show that next year won't be such an incredible disaster.

My account rep made it sound like there will be some town hall events prior to the renewal deadline. If it's more of the same from Tree as far as "we need to do a deep dive blah blah blah" stuff, I think they'll see a decent uptick in cancellations.

With the arena, the terrible season...it has not been a banner year for this organization by any stretch. On and off the ice, it's just been a complete disaster.

[Cheese]

Hate to say it again...Gully aint goin nowhere. He will be provided with an extra length of rope.

[Hot_Flatus]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

I think there's been more than a few of us (STH) in contact with our account reps more or less saying we need to see a plan, or some actions to show that next year won't be such an incredible disaster.

My account rep made it sound like there will be some town hall events prior to the renewal deadline. If it's more of the same from Tree as far as "we need to do a deep dive blah blah blah" stuff, I think they'll see a decent uptick in cancellations.

With the arena, the terrible season...it has not been a banner year for this organization by any stretch. On and off the ice, it's just been a complete disaster.

This post applies to much of the the last decade or so.

[theslymonkey]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

I think there's been more than a few of us (STH) in contact with our account reps more or less saying we need to see a plan, or some actions to show that next year won't be such an incredible disaster.

My account rep made it sound like there will be some town hall events prior to the renewal deadline. If it's more of the same from Tree as far as "we need to do a deep dive blah blah blah" stuff, I think they'll see a decent uptick in cancellations.

With the arena, the terrible season...it has not been a banner year for this organization by any stretch. On and off the ice, it's just been a complete disaster.

I can't say I agree.

First of all, I wouldn't give back my seats regardless of performance. It's taken me too long to get my seats where I like them and are easily re-sellable, especially for a small profit above my cost.

Second, I can't see them having their decision swayed from a mob mentality.

Don't get me wrong, I want GG fired ASAP, but the Flames are still my team and I will continue with my seats regardless. I like the NHL as a form of entertainment will keep spending my money in that area.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by Cheese

Hate to say it again...Gully aint goin nowhere. He will be provided with an extra length of rope.

Starting to think this too. He will be given one more crack at it, and if the team falters in the first half he will be canned then.

Maybe they can hire AV as a "pro scout" for now, just in case haha.