Blue Jackets at Flames - Does anyone care?

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Sure, but usually in the polite sense that it is not good form for an employed coach to publicly undermine another coach, and always—as in the case with Tortorella—in response to specific questions. But there have been a few instances this season where advocates have come out unprompted in support of Gulutzan.

I just get the sense that Treliving is not going to make a change just to placate fans, and there are fairly strong indications that Gulutzan is highly regarded in hockey circles.

I do get this sense occasionally as well. But in the end come back to how hard it is to really overhaul a roster and really there is not much objective evidence that GG is a great NHL coach. Upgrading the head coach spot would seem more doable than many other options. It also seems the radio guys believe he is likely to be canned and given their arrangement with the club, that’s not something they would say lightly IMO.

I’m not getting the same highly regarded vibe, but I do imagine there is a sense among many he is likely to be a fall guy for things not entirely his fault. That thought doesn’t make me too happy either as might imply player’s trade values are not great.

It would be ballsy to keep him around no doubt and Championship teams generally aren’t followers.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by tvp2003

Forgot about this -- Stajan to get his silver stick tonight:

Stajan had a pretty good interview on 770 this morning - you could sense the frustration at the season. He correctly identified the recent struggles and,
ion so many words, said they were fragile (although he obviously didn't point fingers).

[Locke]

I see why we have Glass now. It all makes sense.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by neo45

Has anybody advocated for him that isn’t one of his former colleagues? Serious question.

Friedman is the only one who comes to mind.

[868904]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Sure, but they are also what qualify as half-truths:
· 2006–07 ECHL Pacific Division Championship, Brabham Cup
· 2007–08 ECHL Pacific Division championship
· 2008 John Brophy Trophy, ECHL best coach

Gulutzan does not have a good track record as a NHL coach, but it is disingenuous to pretend that he did not get to this level on the basis of some impressive accomplishments as a professional hockey coach.

With all due respect, I think you are really stretching there with the "Pacific Division Championship". That is not the league championship and that is my point. If you aren't winning "the championship" then you are not the winner. Winning a division or winning a bracket is not winning a championship. It looks like he had some good runs in the ECHL but he never "won" the championship.

To me, GG seems like a guy who thinks the game and strategizes well, but cannot make adjustments. At the ECHL level, that can help him build a power house team, but when he faces a decent coach at the championship series, GG isn't able to make the adjustments needed to "win".

I know I am projecting a lot here, but I am basing it on what I see with how GG coaches. He doesn't make in-game adjustments or he doesn't make the right in-game adjustments. He seems stubborn to his strategy and to his system and that's what I see when I watch this team.

I'm not the type who is in love with players. I cheer for the team. I'm not the type who is always defending the players and blaming the coach for everything. I thought at the end of the Iginla era, the problem was with the players. I've sided with the coaches and management on many player issues such as the Baertschi situation and even the slow handling of Jankowski at the beginning of the season.

I've watched this team for two years and it's just my opinion that the issue is the coaching. The players played hard for most of the year. I admit they probably haven't played hard in the last little while, but that's natural given where they are. Hell, I haven't even bothered to watch lately, so I can imagine how hard it is to actually play.

I've said it before, GG is a good hockey mind, you can tell when he speaks, but there's more to strategizing and analysis in coaching. There's an element of coaching that he is missing, that feel and sense for the game. Maybe he eventually develops it and he becomes a great coach, but so far, he has not developed that and his NHL teams have suffered for it. As opposing coaches have said when commenting on the Flames, sometimes they look great, other times.....that kinda describes GG's coaching. There's just something missing.

[GioforPM]

People who say GG doesn't make in game adjustments are not looking for them. I've also seen criticism of him mixing the lineup during the game. It can't be both. In game adjustments are overrated as well, IMO.

IMO the players didn't in fact play as hard as they could as a whole. I think some of them didn't understand their precarious position in the standings because of the run last year - they probably thought they could replicate it (and the 7 game streak helped them with that assumption). I also think that there are players who struggle against GG's system, which, when it is followed, can work very well. There are some players who naturally and even unconsciously slide back to whatever they did before that, for them, was successful. This often results in them playing half GG's style and half their own/Hartley's. I think it happens more often when, as in the last month, they struggle to score - they look for an edge and "cheat" the system.

[Chr1s]

wow that line-up , not quiet what was planned for my calgary trip. I hope JG will be back for the BOA. Would be really disappointed when i cant see JG / Monahan / Chucky .

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Sure, but usually in the polite sense that it is not good form for an employed coach to publicly undermine another coach, and always—as in the case with Tortorella—in response to specific questions. But there have been a few instances this season where advocates have come out unprompted in support of Gulutzan.

I just get the sense that Treliving is not going to make a change just to placate fans, and there are fairly strong indications that Gulutzan is highly regarded in hockey circles.

Whether he makes a change or not should have nothing to do with placating fans but everything to do with a largely ineffective (especially where it actually matters) game plan, and numerous individual and collective underachievements.

If he keeps him then he is the smartest guy in the room to a fault and needs to go.

More highly regarded people have been shown the door.

I am still watching, once again, just in case this same thing happens for Mike Smith

I wouldn’t put it past the Flames to let him get shelled and I wouldn’t put it past ol’ Gul to leave him in for 9

[Vinny01]

5 games left and 6 months of no Flames hockey. I am going tonight and will watch down the stretch. Hoping the boys can go out on a high note and the appropriate changes are made this summer

[mile]

Originally Posted by Toonage

Anyone hear the quotes from Torts this morning on the Fan, basically trying to save Gully's job?

Torts is a good friend.

For people wondering what he said:

http://calgarysun.com/sports/hockey/...give-up-on-him

“He’s a terrific coach,” said the Columbus Blue Jackets head coach on Wednesday, prior to their club’s skate in Calgary. “I watch it very closely. I don’t know what’s going on above him, the pressure that he’s receiving and I don’t stay in touch (in regards to) how the people are treating him. But I know it’s a really hard place to play.


“There have been some struggles and there have been some expectations here. Don’t give up on him.”

“He’s too good of a coach — he gets it, I think he understands the way out,” Tortorella said. “I think he can understand how to handle this, the pressures of Canada, Calgary, expectations, multiple owners. Everything that comes with it. He’s going to be fine.”

Tortorella also gave glowing reviews to GM Treliving.


“In a number of conversations I’ve had over the summer with Brad and getting to know him a little bit, you’ve got some good people running your hockey team,” he continued. “I don’t want to step out of bounds . . . Glen Gulutzan is one hell of a coach. Brad, and I don’t know him as well as Glen, but in talking about Glen before he was hired, you’re in good hands.”

“Patience is a very important thing when you’re trying to build a hockey club,” he stressed. “I can see it — I saw it on (Gulutzan) this morning. It wears on you. It’s wearing on Gully. It’s been hard on him because he cares . . . it’s part of the game and Gully totally understands that . . .


“But you’ve got the right man there, no question.”

If Gulutzan goes I don't think he'll have too much trouble finding work as an assistant.

[Toonage]

Thank you for that!

[Barnet Flame]

Anything better than a 7-3 loss will be a success.

[midniteowl]

Originally Posted by Toonage

Anyone hear the quotes from Torts this morning on the Fan, basically trying to save Gully's job?

Torts is a good friend.

Either he really is good friend or Tort is mad at the Flames for what Hartley to him and he is trolling the Flames trying to get them to keep an underwhelming coach.

[Barnet Flame]

I don’t give a damn what Torts says, does or thinks.

I still wish Big ‘ern let Bob at him.

[Looch City]

12-0 Jackets.

Maybe 15-0 even. I just want to see these ####ty Flames absolutely decimated.

[Barnet Flame]

Originally Posted by Iggy City

12-0 Jackets.

Maybe 15-0 even. I just want to see these ####ty Flames absolutely decimated.

There is a fair chance you got the 0 part right.

I won’t know until the morning because I have to get up early to fly to Calgary.

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

I just get the sense that Treliving is not going to make a change just to placate fans, and there are fairly strong indications that Gulutzan is highly regarded in hockey circles.

If Treliving cans Gulutzan it will be because the players have stopped responding to him, not because of anything to do with the fans. The fans just also happen to realize he's lost the room, that's all.

[zarrell]

Going to the game and I don't care one bit. Just hoping for a brawl and tortorella to lose his mind. Can someone get Bob Hartley tickets for behind the jackets bench?

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Originally Posted by Iggy City

12-0 Jackets.

Maybe 15-0 even. I just want to see these ####ty Flames absolutely decimated.

This seems very strange to me. Yes, it's been a rough year but if you're a fan what do you get out of seeing them them get shellacked tonight? If anything I want to see them go on a big roll so the draft pick isn't as good.

I don't think I'll ever understand fans that want to see their favorite team get pummeled on the scoreboard.

[Jetfire]

I care. I'm of course going in with low expectations, but am hoping they surprise me with a victory somehow.