[PGT] Coyotes 5 Flames ZERO

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

Common place for young players to struggle with the pressures of a new heavy contract. Although I believe it's unfair to single out Gaudreau - literally everyone outside of Hamilton, Tkachuk, Backlund and Frolek are having seasons well below expectations. That speaks to a bigger issue than just any one single player having an off year.

It sure doesn't make a lot of sense when your coach benches your star player for a turnover, when Wideman makes mistakes all game, every game, and gets more minutes than Hamilton (almost 4 more minutes ES).

This is seriously bad coaching.

[Vinny01]

I though Johnny looked dangerous in the first. The demotion made little sense and I just feel we have a horrible coach that should be a head coach in the minors or assistant in the NHL. Flames should hire Julien and save the season but it won't happen

[Huntingwhale]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

It sure doesn't make a lot of sense when your coach benches your star player for a turnover, when Wideman makes mistakes all game, every game, and gets more minutes than Hamilton (almost 4 more minutes ES).

This is seriously bad coaching.

I think by benching/demoting young players like Gaudreau and Bennett, you hope they can actually learn a lesson and become a better player for it. What is Wideman going to learn? Sweet #### all. To GG, he's a veteran player who has earned his right to play big minutes because he's paid his dues in the league. He knows he's in a contract season and he's doing what he can to 'help him out'.

Probably a crappy/unrealistic reason, but that's the only thing I can think he's getting gifted those minutes. The poster who showed Hamilton's TOI vs Wideman's, with Wideman coming out ahead, makes me sad.

[nixon45]

nvm

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

I think by benching/demoting young players like Gaudreau and Bennett, you hope they can actually learn a lesson and become a better player for it. What is Wideman going to learn? Sweet #### all. To GG, he's a veteran player who has earned his right to play big minutes because he's paid his dues in the league. He knows he's in a contract season and he's doing what he can to 'help him out'.

Probably a crappy/unrealistic reason, but that's the only thing I can think he's getting gifted those minutes. The poster who showed Hamilton's TOI vs Wideman's, with Wideman coming out ahead, makes me sad.

Whatever his approach. I don't think it's right.

I thought Gaudreau looked good in the 1st. Nothing to show for it, but it wasn't without opportunities. One mistake and he's on the 4th line for the rest of the game? No surprise he was no where to be seen after that.

And Bennett's game has been completely neutered. He looks afraid to be aggressive now. Either the wrong messages are being sent to the players, or all of our star players are interpreting the messages incorrectly.

[Toonage]

At the risk of sparking a tired debate, Bennett needs to be moved away from the responsibilities of being a centre if they want to see his points increase.

[Hockeyguy15]

Gaudreau has been curling just after the opposition blue line far too much lately. It's become predictable and the other team is jumping on it, creating an easy turn over and breaking the other way.

He needs to start driving the puck in deeper and either curl down past the hash marks or continuing down behind the net. He doesn't have to do it every time, but he needs to start trying something different.

[smiggy77]

Originally Posted by Gaskal

I dunno man... the NJ game at home and losing all 4 games to the Oilers is gonna be my scapegoat for sure. Even though this game tonight was IMO the very worst one of all this whole season. Definitely the NJ and the Oilers games for me.

Totally agree. That NJ game for me and the last two oilers games.

[Puppet Guy]

it bears re-posting:

Spoiler!

[N-E-B]

Originally Posted by Machiavelli

They're a better team for sure, and yes it's hard to be super critical when they're still in the mix. It's helped that the Kings and Preds have been very meh, compared to expectations.

However, I don't see an identity at all, and that annoys me. The Flames are like a box of chocolates...

Giordano is my favorite, and he's been a rock defensively, but if Iggy faced criticism for a "country club" locker room, there should be questions about this guy too. Gulutzan doesn't talk to them after games, so I sure as hell hope Gio is doing something other than providing the same sound bytes to the Calgary Herald.

And on the topic of leadership, again I must question Brouwer. Did he even play last night? Chiasson (yes, that Chiasson) has been more impressive and tenacious. I notice him on the forecheck, along the boards, and often in scrums. He seems like he cares, most of the time. Brouwer cared the one time that meanie bumped him into the net.

Generally I don't get much joy or entertainment out of watching this season's Flames (I'm fascinated by many OOT games, however). I'm still hopeful for the playoffs, but disappointed at how often they've seemed to just give up.

Those are completely fair criticisms. My post was more directed to the people (who shall remain nameless but they know who they are) calling out Treliving because he hasn't built a contender yet. I don't think that's fair to do quite yet. If they progress again next year they're in the playoffs. Rebuilds are long and painful. If we're still in this position in two seasons then I think it would be okay to panic.

[taxbuster]

Originally Posted by Dion

The Flames got away from the game plan in the second period and it cost them. They need to learn to be patient when facing teams that employ the trap.

The Flames don't have - and as far as I can tell - never have had, a game plan to deal with the trap.

Every time they've played a trap team in the past zillion years it seems they fall on their faces. (I'm sure someone can dig up stats to show that it's not true, but it sure seems that way.)

All the players just try to "do it on their own".

And Gio, just STFU. Tell the press "I'm too pissed to talk. I need to pass that on to the team, so get outta here." But we get the same blabber each time, and a coach who doesn't talk to his team after games.

He should've had them out there right after the game for a good ol' bag skate....

Just incompetence at every level right now.

[tvp2003]

How many glove saves did Mike Smith make last night? In the first period alone?

Must be nice to have a goalie that can actually make a save on his glove side

Johnson's GAA in his last 5 games is 4.74. A far cry from the Vezina calibre goaltending we saw back in November/December.

/rant

[cannon7]

I had to step away from this one after the first period. The Flames were badly out shooting the Coyotes after 20 minutes. I come back mid-way through the third to a 5-0 score. WTF?

Gaudreau still looked completely lost in the first period, though. Can't help but wonder if Gulutzan is doing irreparable damage to our young stars.

[TheAlpineOracle]

Everything Johnny does now is quite predictable. Teams have caught on to his bag of tricks, especially the zone entry, and it's not hard to focus on Johnny when he's got a plug like Brouwer on the other side. More and more he's being kept to the perimeter, and he shoots the puck like a 13 year old. He clearly has the skill to change it up and get it back on track, but what he did in the past is no longer working and he needs to adjust. His idea of adjusting this year is diving or laying on his back mouthing off at the ref. To me that is on the coach and the veteran leadership of this team.

[Tbull8]

Originally Posted by cannon7

I had to step away from this one after the first period. The Flames were badly out shooting the Coyotes after 20 minutes. I come back mid-way through the third to a 5-0 score. WTF?

Gaudreau still looked completely lost in the first period, though. Can't help but wonder if Gulutzan is doing irreparable damage to our young stars.

0-100 real quick

[cannon7]

Originally Posted by TheAlpineOracle

Everything Johnny does now is quite predictable. Teams have caught on to his bag of tricks, especially the zone entry, and it's not hard to focus on Johnny when he's got a plug like Brouwer on the other side. More and more he's being kept to the perimeter, and he shoots the puck like a 13 year old. He clearly has the skill to change it up and get it back on track, but what he did in the past is no longer working and he needs to adjust. His idea of adjusting this year is diving or laying on his back mouthing off at the ref. To me that is on the coach and the veteran leadership of this team.

Considering Gaudreau has been the most creative player the Flames have had in over a decade I find this very distressing. His passion and vision have been drained from him as his confidence continues to plummet. To be a fly on the wall in the Flames upper management offices right now...

[VilleN]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

Whatever his approach. I don't think it's right.

I thought Gaudreau looked good in the 1st. Nothing to show for it, but it wasn't without opportunities. One mistake and he's on the 4th line for the rest of the game? No surprise he was no where to be seen after that.

And Bennett's game has been completely neutered. He looks afraid to be aggressive now. Either the wrong messages are being sent to the players, or all of our star players are interpreting the messages incorrectly.

I think Gaudreau has been pretty bad most of this season (relatively speaking). GG was trying to light a fire under his ass and I don't blame him for doing it.

Bennett is trying to figure out the defensive side of the game, he's being developed. His play appears "neutered", in my view, because he is still uncomfortable with this new style. I believe it will payoff in the end, much as it did with Backlund... Likely sooner as Bennett has much more raw talent.

[KingMoo]

first period looked great. If some of those shots actually went in they could have taken control of the game. But it doesn't help when you go down 3-0 in about 13 shots and then put up about 6 shots (2nd period) in retaliation.

EDIT: If some of those shots actually went in on net

[TheAlpineOracle]

As I've said before, it all comes back to the goaltending. I thought the team started the game off great. The difference was that Smith made some saves to keep the Coyotes in it. Our goalie let's in two goals that while not terrible, were definitely stoppable. As soon as the first borderline goal goes in, our guys just fall apart. Should it be happening that they fall apart? No, but it must be pretty taxing on the team when they know every mistake they make is likely going to end up in the back of the net. This team has zero confidence in our goaltending.

[TheAlpineOracle]

It's pretty sad when a 18/19 year old rookie shows more jam than the entire team night in and night out. Speaks volumes as to the veteran leadership of this team as well.