The trials and tribulations of Glen Gulutzan

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by IgiTang

GG has a system other than transition? I dont see it

Most coaches' systems are about transition, at least on even strength. Most have varying philosophies about defensive zone play, but the same basic defensive layout.

[Beninho]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

At this point it would be a blessing if GG was let go just so I don't have to scroll through the endless whining in every thread. GDT? Endless whining. GT? Winning or losing still endless complaining and whining. Every thread in the FOI forum turns into a whine fest about GG, it is so tiresome.

Would help if he had this team prepared for the big games, you know the games we all care about and the games the Flames CONSITENTLY lose under GG.

[kukkudo]

If the Flames lose tonight is GG fired into the sun? That would make them 7-8 at home.

[Beninho]

Originally Posted by kukkudo

If the Flames lose tonight is GG fired into the sun? That would make them 7-8 at home.

0-6 vs the Oil, that should really be enough.

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by mikephoen

Ok, I'm desperate for a poll now!

Is this a very vocal minority that wants GG fired? Or is it now a very vocal minority that wants to stick things out? Are we at 50/50?

Come on mods, give us a poll!

Heck we probably need a poll before tonights game, and another tomorrow morning, just to see what sort of swing a single game has on the results! Let's get some science on this situation!

Should start a poll after every game. Fire him, keep him for now, or hangin on the edge. Repeat until either team is playing on a championship calibre level or he gets fired.

[IgiTang]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Most coaches' systems are about transition, at least on even strength. Most have varying philosophies about defensive zone play, but the same basic defensive layout.

It was tongue and cheek... But if you wanna get into it more, explain to me what system GG has implemented in any zone other than transition?

Out of the backend, Dmen forcing the puck from below faceoff dot to the neutral zone regardless of the opponent forecheck is NOT a system.. Its hail marry/river hockey. In the Ozone, cross seam pass/lateral pass, pass, pass, pass is not a system.

So explain to me the system being used by GG, please.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by IgiTang

It was tongue and cheek... But if you wanna get into it more, explain to me what system GG has implemented in any zone other than transition?

Out of the backend, Dmen forcing the puck from below faceoff dot to the neutral zone regardless of the opponent forecheck is NOT a system.. Its hail marry/river hockey. In the Ozone, cross seam pass/lateral pass, pass, pass, pass is not a system.

So explain to me the system being used by GG, please.

The first paragraph is my point - GG's system is mainly about transition because that's what coaches' systems are about - getting the puck up ice so the office can get control in the offensive zone and look for chances.

Your second paragraph describes something like Hartley's breakout system. I have no idea where your description of offensive chances comes from. But neither are GG "systems". He prefers a 5 man breakout with a defenceman pass to a low forward or second defenceman, who then transitions through a skateout or pass to a forward down the middle. When they try what you describe - that's a breakdown, not a properly executed breakout.

[Jacks]

I haven't been on the "fire him" bandwagon so far but his player usage, 4th line overusage, refusal to change his game plan and refusal to call a time out is pushing me in that direction.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by kevman

Man, when did Flash Walken become the voice of reason? This place has gone bat #### crazy over the last few weeks. Next thing you know I'm going to start agreeing with Tinordi...

I did it recently. It's not as bad as you would think.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Table 5

So who are all the available coaching options right now? It seems like a bit of a thin list at the moment.

Sutter is the closest fit I can think of in terms of what I think this team needs (ie an actual leader), but am not sure this current team is build for a guy like him.

Johnny! Triple-Deke!

Ferland, lead the Flying V!

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

I know it's tough when surrounded by all the insults you throw around, but your actual words were that the coach wants "a slow, patient game".

The coach wants the team to play slow are you actual words. The coach wants the team to not play fast in favour of playing slow. That is the meaning those words convey.

Which is ####ing stupid. There isn't a coach at any level of hockey that wants their team to be slow.

I notice that you still cannot articulate a rebuttal.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by Wild GM

I'm suggesting that both are contributing factors and I'm the one being binary?
Switching the coach is definitely a possible way to go, but I'm surprised fans are willing to look past the fact that perhaps this team isn't as ready to challenge as we hoped, or doesn't have the right combination of players to challenge.

I get the notion that "well its easier to fire the coach" but what happens if you bring in a guy and nothing changes?

Then you move on to the much more difficult task of trying to move out core players for other core players without getting fleeced while your team is underachieving.

However I do completely agree with your idea of shipping out Brodie or Hamilton one for one for another core piece, independently of whether we move on from Gulutzen or not. We're stacked with puck moving defensemen and not moving the puck well, nor defending well, you simply can't spend as much as we are in cap space on you defense if they're not a top five core in the league.

[gargamel]

Originally Posted by Wild GM

I'm suggesting that both are contributing factors and I'm the one being binary?
Switching the coach is definitely a possible way to go, but I'm surprised fans are willing to look past the fact that perhaps this team isn't as ready to challenge as we hoped, or doesn't have the right combination of players to challenge.
I get the notion that "well its easier to fire the coach" but what happens if you bring in a guy and nothing changes?

If that's the case, then we need to fire the GM. If he misjudged the talent on the team and the talent he brought in so badly that he went into win-now mode (as evidenced by trading so many draft picks), he needs to go. I still believe that he assembled a team that should be challenging to win the division and go on a run in the playoffs, but it's hard to see that happening with this coach. Even if we do somehow sneak into the playoffs with Gulutzan, do we really expect to do any damage considering his track record of losing big games?

I think Gulutzan needs to go and Treliving should stay, but I don't see how anyone can support both of them at this point.

[CliffFletcher]

I'm curious about whether the off-season decision to shift into Win Now gear was strictly a hockey decision, or if the direction came from on high in the hopes a playoff run would drive up support for publicly funding a new arena. Teams don't typically trade away multiple firsts and seconds in a short span unless they're on the cusp of really contending for the Cup, or owners are meddling in hockey decisions.

If Treliving genuinely felt that this team is a Cup contender, then yeah, sputtering in mediocrity is failure. If the team is out of a play-off spot after Christmas, he may need to replace GG to try to salvage the season.

[Kipper_3434]

If he got fired today, would another team hire GG as head coach?

[Moneyhands23]

Originally Posted by Kipper_3434

If he got fired today, would another team hire GG as head coach?

Who knows. Niemi was claimed twice this year

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by Kipper_3434

If he got fired today, would another team hire GG as head coach?

I could see Ottawa hiring him.

It's not about whether Gulutzan is a terrible coach or just a mediocre one.

It's about the fact that he's not the right coach for the Calgary Flames.

[Infinit47]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

The first paragraph is my point - GG's system is mainly about transition because that's what coaches' systems are about - getting the puck up ice so the office can get control in the offensive zone and look for chances.

Your second paragraph describes something like Hartley's breakout system. I have no idea where your description of offensive chances comes from. But neither are GG "systems". He prefers a 5 man breakout with a defenceman pass to a low forward or second defenceman, who then transitions through a skateout or pass to a forward down the middle. When they try what you describe - that's a breakdown, not a properly executed breakout.

I disagree on the 5 man breakout. I think he prefers to keep one player high to allow for a stretch pass. This puts all the pressure on the D to make a perfect pass or skate the puck out. Other teams have adapted to our breakout with a hard forecheck and GG has done nothing to counter adapt. As it goes now if there is any pressure on our D man we are screwed.

The other team pressures our Dman and we have 3 options:

1. Stretch pass/tip in;
2. Up the boards on the near wing to a player the other teams have learned to cover;
3. Skate the puck past the forechecker.

With and aggressive forecheck and the other team keeping the puck away from Smith our Dman are under pressure and can't skate the puck out, our winger is covered and gets into a board battle just to move the puck out of the zone and our tip ins either result in a loss of possession or icing.

So the question is what's the problem. I think it's our neutral zone play. This iteration of the Flames is the softest I have ever seen a team defend the neutral zone. We either let the other team dump the puck in from our side of half - thereby easily establishing a forecheck and keeping the puck away from Smith (corner dump) or we let them skate the puck into our zone with no pressure (dear god our D back up against a rush) which easily establishes zone pressure.

GG's refusal to change his system to increase neutral zone pressure to puts our D into high pressure situations with the puck, which leads to more turnovers. That's why most dmen seem to be having extra brainfarts this year.

So why doesn't GG adjust? I think he clings to see mythical belief that should all 6 of our D men suddenly channel Bobby Orr our counter attack will be unstoppable. I get that clogging up the neutral zone and bringing forwards deeper will slow out counter attack, but clearly this counter attack is not happening.

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by Kipper_3434

If he got fired today, would another team hire GG as head coach?

Doubt it.
Like any of the candidates currently available... nobody wants them either.
I no longer have any problem with change but am not yet an advocate of change for change sake.

[memphusk]

Originally Posted by bubbsy

Frankly, neither Treliving or Gulutzan will be safe should the Flames have a ball in the draft lottery the day after the season ends (ie. flames don't make the playoffs).

Either the GM takes the hit for mismanaging the team and the assets in/out, or, the coach takes the hit for failing to use a roster the decision makers feel is better than the result, or both are booted.

Lot's of season left, i'm sure this team sticks in the realm of mediocrity, and squeaks into the playoffs in a lower, Away team seeding, against division leading team and gets booted first round in typical Calgary flames fashion over the last 25 years.

Agreed. If that happens you clean house.