The Future for Jim Playfair - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

CofR · 03-31-2011, 09:26 PM

http://www.abbotsfordtimes.com/sport...854/story.html

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For instance, head coach Jim Playfair's contract is up at the end of the season, which could make these next four games - beginning tonight against Grand Rapids - his last behind the bench of the Heat.
It could. That doesn't mean it is.

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Calgary Flames interim general manager Jay Feaster, who, oddly enough is living in Playfair's house in Calgary, could decide that the farm team needs a new direction. He could also choose to stick with Playfair.
Will that be the case though if this team doesn't scrape into the Calder Cup playoffs? It seems a little hasty to can someone with a half decent winning percentage achieved in the face of more than 600 man games lost to injury over two seasons and the ECHL as the main source for spare parts, if that's the road Feaster decides to travel.

Reading this article I began to wonder what Feaster has planned for Playfair. As someone that only gets to watch the Heat games on CBC, and is quite removed from the market my impression is that Playfair has done a good job with the team and helping to implement a system that has made them competitive.

I would like for Playfair to stay on with the Heat, What do you think of his future, and would you like to have him re-signed?

jeremywilhelm · 03-31-2011, 09:30 PM

Im not a Playfair hater, but I think it's someone news time. Playfair is alot like Sutter. Too much so actually.

I think some new blood and some new ideas need to be brought in ASAP.

D_J · 03-31-2011, 11:40 PM

I think Playfair has been a good coach, I hope he stays. Any issues the Heat have had were player related, not coaching. I live in Abby and everyone I know who has had dealings with him and his family has nothing but respect for what they have brought to our community.

But, however, from an outsider perspective the Flames Org is in need of a major shake up and that might include the whole system from the Minors on up...

nik- · 04-01-2011, 07:04 AM

I dunno, I think it's time to move on. We keep hearing how great Playfair is with defensive side of the game, and I know that's not limited to defensemen only, but there's a reason that we keep getting these waiver D men. We need to see some results and not just assume he's teaching the kids how to play defensively just because they can't score.

joe_mullen · 04-01-2011, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CofR

http://www.abbotsfordtimes.com/sport...854/story.html

Reading this article I began to wonder what Feaster has planned for Playfair. As someone that only gets to watch the Heat games on CBC, and is quite removed from the market my impression is that Playfair has done a good job with the team and helping to implement a system that has made them competitive.

I would like for Playfair to stay on with the Heat, What do you think of his future, and would you like to have him re-signed?

first i should acknowledge that i haven't watched many Heat games this year, but, is Playfair's job to make the farm team competitive or to develop NHLers? i would argue it's the latter and from that standpoint, Playfair's record is pretty pedestrian. this organization has been very poor at bringing along new blood, with that in mind i would like to see a big change in our development system/personnel.

madmike · 04-01-2011, 09:00 AM

Given what Playfair has to work with and the injuries Abbotsford has had the last two years, I think he has done a remarkable job.

Abbotsford is starved for offensive players (I think the leader has 30-some-odd points) yet Playfair somehow kept them in the playoff hunt. And they had a decent playoff run last year despite a lack of high-end talent.

It will be interesting to see what he can do with some of the more talented players the Heat should be getting soon (Howse, healthy Wahl hopefully, Bennett).

Johnny Rotten · 04-01-2011, 07:42 PM

I think Playfair has done a good job this year despite injuries and also having a really young team for much of the season (I think they had the youngest team in the AHL at the start of the year.).

Earlier this year, Duhatschek compared Playfair with Guy Boucher saying he could be an NHL coach shortly. Maybe he's a little crusty, but I think the Flames would be hard pressed to replace him.

Then again, there are some good, young coaches in the WHL who could be chomping at the bit to coach in the pros.

Calgary4LIfe · 04-01-2011, 09:20 PM

I think Playfair moves on this season as a Coach somewhere. If there is no coaching spots available, I bet he stays with the Heat.

Very well respected, and he seems to squeeze out a lot from a very young and injury prone squad every year. Can't fault him for that, and I think the Flames have started the most rookies this year in the NHL (perhaps Edmonton with all their injuries as well).

Sutter, Bouma, Backlund, Meyers, Nemisz and Brodie (though he didn't have a hand with Brodie at the time).

Great track record? With what he has to work with, and the amount of 'bad luck' with injuries, he has a great record with the Farm team. I hope he gets a coaching position this year in the NHL, and if not, I really hope he stays. Let's see what he can do with a bit more talent next season, and hopefully the injuries will be kept down somewhat.

Jaybird · 04-02-2011, 12:30 AM

I have watched all the games and I say it is time for Playfair to go. I don't see enough development in his players and that is what I believe a coach at the AHL level should be doing. Neimetz and Bouma have gone up to the Flames but I don't believe Playfair even brought them up to their potential. He can't seem to develop the players' offensive game. Guys come to Abbotsford with lots of talent....do well for a few games and then nothing......? He seems to take their "natural talent" and kick it to the curb! I think he "brow beats" the players thinking that this is necessary to get them to compete. For the most part I think he has "lost the room" and when that happens the coach needs to go!
It is nice to see Brodie taking it in his own direction and doing well...for which Playfair critized him at one time. A good coach looks at the individual talents and creates something. Some people think he has nothing to work with but I don't believe that is the case. I say time for somebody new with some innovative ideas. It is a business after all and what business survives these days without forward thinking!

CofR · 04-11-2011, 04:53 PM

http://www.bclocalnews.com/fraser_va...119634784.html

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It figures to be a fascinating off-season for the Heat. The list of free-agents-to-be includes Playfair, whose two-year contract is set to expire.
In the past, the Heat bench boss has stated his focus is on landing an NHL head coaching job, as opposed to an assistant coaching gig.
"There's some things out there," he said, alluding to openings with Ottawa, Minnesota, New Jersey and Florida. "It's a matter of earning the right to have someone talk to you about coaching their team. I think when you watch our team play, my style of coaching has to fit with what the general manager and the owners want to see in their team game.
"That's certainly something I'll be exploring, but I'll also be talking to Calgary about their future plans and what they want to do in Abbotsford in the future."

Johnny Rotten · 04-11-2011, 05:16 PM

I'd like Playfair to stay, but if not there are some good candidates out there who would be good replacements.

IamNotKenKing · 04-11-2011, 05:51 PM

Prediction:
Head Coach of Devils.

ballin · 04-11-2011, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IamNotKenKing

Prediction:
Head Coach of Devils.

prediction:

your prediction comes true

Pierre "Monster" McGuire · 04-11-2011, 06:44 PM

I would love to see Cory Clouston become the coach of the Heat. I remember him taking the Ice to Memorial Cup back in the day. It was the highest offensive team the Ice have ever had. Mind you, that year they had the likes of Stoll, Comrie, Svatos, Dawes, etc.

I personally think Clouston could do wonders with our offensively-minded players.

kirant · 04-11-2011, 07:28 PM

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Originally Posted by Pierre "Monster" McGuire

I would love to see Cory Clouston become the coach of the Heat. I remember him taking the Ice to Memorial Cup back in the day. It was the highest offensive team the Ice have ever had. Mind you, that year they had the likes of Stoll, Comrie, Svatos, Dawes, etc.

I personally think Clouston could do wonders with our offensively-minded players.

I think it'd be a great direction to head the team. The Flames have some nice offensive players coming up (Howse, Reinhart, and a good number of offensive and two-way D) and Clouston could really help them develop.

Windstorm · 04-14-2011, 06:35 PM

I think Playfair did a good job with a mostly defensive team, but I also believe Abbotsford could have scored more goals than they actually did. Irving and the defense could hold opponents to one or two goals, but it doesn't mean anything if forwards can't find the back of the net. I wouldn't mind seeing a more offensive minded coach. Guys like Nemisz and Bouma could be even better.

Pierre "Monster" McGuire · 04-14-2011, 06:56 PM

Actually, one thing to consider for those of you, like me, who may find appeal in having Clouston as the coach of the Heat:

He coached the Binghamton Senators (an AHL team) in 2007-08 after 6 years with the Kootenay Ice. His record in Binghamton was 34-32, which is a little worrisome. Mind you, Ottawa probably didn't have the greatest prospects back then. Maybe with some offensively talented players, Clouston could do some good.

If the Heat are going to go with a youth centered approach to building the team, then I think his time in Kootenay may be a good indicator of how he'll do with a youthful Heat team. His average win percentage with the Kootenay Ice (through 6 years) was .616. In an 80 game season, that translates to approximately 49-31. With a record like that, the Heat would have been 2nd best in the entire league last season behind WB-Scranton Penguins!

Food for thought.

kirant · 04-17-2011, 12:55 AM

What type of Ice teams did he work with? I'm not entirely familiar with the depth of players to walk through the team at the time, but I know some NHL players like Dawes, Comrie, and Polak have played with the team.

Pierre "Monster" McGuire · 04-17-2011, 01:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kirant

What type of Ice teams did he work with? I'm not entirely familiar with the depth of players to walk through the team at the time, but I know some NHL players like Dawes, Comrie, and Polak have played with the team.

Here's some notable names who played under Clouston in Kootenay:

Dawes, Svatos, Stoll, Comrie, Cracknell, Ben Maxwell, Polak, Brett Sutter, and John Negrin.

Da_Chief · 04-17-2011, 07:56 AM

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Originally Posted by jeremywilhelm

Im not a Playfair hater, but I think it's someone news time. Playfair is alot like Sutter. Too much so actually.

I think some new blood and some new ideas need to be brought in ASAP.

Thats not exactly a bad thing. Both Darryl and Brent had tons of success wherever they've coached. Jimmy did an amazing job with this team last year, if he doesn't get an NHL gig I hope he comes back to the Heat.