cross16

That wasn’t really Ferlands game and even if that is true committing that much cap space and term to that is a horrible idea.

Holland drove the Wings into cap hell with bad contracts to players with “intangibles”. Seems to be well on his way to doing it in Edmonton now too. pretty bad contract IMO. Overpaid based on the fact he’s put up some numbers alongside McDavid. Guy has yet to crack 30 pts in a season (although likely will this season but again... McDavid). edit: it’s also a 4 year deal not 3.

he missed the playoffs his last 2 years with the Bruins. They fired him mid season and Bruce Cassidy took them to 18-8 and back to one of the top teams in the NHL without any major additions. I don’t disagree in regards to the separation between coaching and team talent, especially his Montreal teams. Judging coaching is imo next to impossible for fans but I’m just saying there is very little for me to suggest Julien is worth targeting given how Boston took off after he left and he’s never done anything in Montreal.

Has missed the playoffs in 4 of his last 5 seasons and the Bruins took off after he left. I see no reason to target him.

I certainly wouldn’t complain about Laviolette I just like Gallant more.

Treliving had a chance to hire Ward as his coach and instead hire Gulutzan. If he felt he made a mistake he had a chance to rectify it he would have named Ward the coach the rest of the season. He has yet to do that. I personally don’t see anything in the job Ward has done that would make me disagree with Treliving. He isn’t a long term fit,nor do I think the job he’s done is reflected in the record. I would move on Gallant if I were Treliving. If he doesn’t want to come then wait till the offseason and do a full search but I’m not really seeing Ward as a good head coach. Looks like he’s one of those really good assistant but not great head coach types.

ya I figured but like you say that roster is a mess. From a far it’s hard to get a good gauge on Blashill as a coach.

Blashill still have a good rep as a coach around Detroit? I've always liked him as a coach. Honestly i was thinking Detroit may let him go just so Yzerman can get his own guy and he's someone I would have interest in.

I don't want this to come across as an anti Geoff Ward post. I do like some of he stuff that he has done, but I also think the record has been a mirage. Under Peters at 5 on 5: 8th in League in CF% 13th in FF% 18th in Shots against 17th in expected goals % 14 in Scoring chance % 22nd in High danger chance % (25th in generating. 12th best in Preventing) Dead last in shooting %. 20th in Save % PP ranked 20th based on GF/60 Under Ward at 5 on 5: 20th in CF% 21st in FF% 27th in Shots against/60 17th in Expected goals for% 20th in Scoring Chance% 10th in High danger chance % (19th in generating. 8th best in preventing) 20th in Shooting%. 3rd best in Save % PP ranked 10th based on GF/60 so to give Ward credit, and I see this reflected on the ice, he has prioritized high danger chances. They give up less quality under him and generate more and I think it's fair to attribute this to Ward. However, most all other metrics have actually gotten worse under Ward not better and the defensive trend in their game is worrisome IMO. Their record since the change has more to do with goaltending and the PP then it does the team actually getting better IMO. Now at the same time I want to be clear that is not laying nay blame on Ward and in fact should generate some credit. Many who follow the team have commented how the team felt much more relaxed with the change and that they like playing for Ward. I do think it is fair to give credit for Ward for allowing players to be themselves and I think he definitely made improvements to the way the team handles their goaltending. so while there are some worrisome trends there are also things not necessary reflected in numbers I thikn he deserves credit for. as i said earlier all of this analysis isn't exactly fair as this is a very tough situation for any coach to walk into nor do I think the primary issues with the Flames are coaching related. I just think it's way too early to give Ward much credit, nor do I think he should be considered a long term fit.

I think the Flames do this. Their 2nd unit plays around with multiple formations and rotates 1-3-1 with the more traditional 2d and they use Anderson all over the place. Personally I like the 2nd unit and I think the last if effectiveness stems from limited opportunities and the lack of a shooter. All good PPs imo need a triggerman and flames don't have one on the 2nd unit. I personally think Ward is a very good pp coach. I get the results don't look like it in terms of the overal pp but imo when you look deeper there is lots to like. I think the criticism is just misguided that's all.

I just don’t think In the cap world your going to get 2 very good units. Tough to have that type of depth. I also think pp units need chemistry and anticipation so I’ve never been a big fan of switching it up much. just my philosophy on it

maybe for sure i an understand the merits of trying it. I think the debate is what is better 2 good units or 1 great one. Personally I take the 1 great one because if I need a big play or a goal in a key moment i'm going with my best guys anyway, not a 2nd unit. but the other side has merit too. Don't think there is a right or wrong answer here.

I will add that the PP critique on Ward is IMO unfair and misguided. The Flames top PP unit ranks 5th in the NHL in terms of goals scored and i believe was top 6 last year too. Their 2nd unit ranks on the lower end which i think speaks more to talent than coaching. for me, give me a top end unit over 2 avg ones any day of the week.

I don't have anything against Ward. I haven't been super impressed by him either and I have major concerns about the Flames 5 on 5 game under him and their d zone game. But everything he does this season has to be evaluated through a different lens because he took over such a really tough situation. I'ts not fair to jduge him through the lens you judge most coaches IMO. I'm actually with Peeps on this that Plan A should be give ward the full season and do a proper search evaluation. However, it's tricky because Gallant is the type of coach who doesn't come available often and Calgary is not exactly a Grade A desitation. Flames best pitch is that they can offere work now IMO and are a pretty good team on paper but get into the off-season and have to compete with other teams i'm not sure they stack up well. So it may not be the best decision or best route to take but for me I really think it's the only way your going to get a coach of Gallant's calibre. Tough decision though for sure as I don't think you can hold Ward accountable for very much of what has gone on even if I do see things I don't like.

I think this is fair to ask. But imo good organizations don’t have this happen as frequent as it does for the flames. I could be wrong but that’s my feeling on it

I think you can count on 1 hand how many coaches I would drop whatever I was doing to hire if I could get the chance. Gallant is one of those coaches.

While true, how many franchises have 4 coaches in 5 years say the same thing on a fairly frequent basis?

Pretty pointed comments from Ward last night. 4th coach now in a row to basically have the same quote.....

One of my worries when they signed Talbot was he is weak on the high glove side and I thought teams were exploiting it. Gamble was worth it, but I think the fit has been really good here as the Flames are one of the top teams in the league at preventing inner slot shots (the home plate area) that tend to target that glove side. I don't recall many teams/player even being able to target Talbot on the glove side this year. Not to take away from Talbot for getting himself back on track but i do think the fit has been really good here too. Didn't see it working this well even if I was ok with the gamble they took.

Cam Talbot is your NHL 3rd star of the Week

No problem with this. Talbot is playing well and I think Rittich is going through a slump because the Flames and Peters over played him. Nice to see that finally the Flames figured this out and use their backup to help someone through a slump rather than just keep throwing that guy back out there again.

100%. I hated it too and did not agree with the direction Peters had them going. I just don't think it's a viable execution for the lack of execution that's all and don't think its reasonable to expect that to improve due to a system change. I think it has more to do with the focus/buy in of the players then it does the system or a "stink"

And this doesn't help. I don't disagree I just don't think Calgary can compete with Dallas/SJ if all is equal so they will either need to bid up (are the owners going to do this?) or they need to get him in sooner. I'm not that convinced they NEED to do this or need to get him but if Treliving and co think so I think they have to move as fast as possible. For me, waiting until the off-season for a full search (and a full assessment of Geoff Ward) is the route I would go. but if they are committed to this core and winning with it in the next 2-3 years then I don't think you can pass on Laviolette. That's the decision they need to make IMO.

I think if the Flames want Laviolette they need to talk to him right away and get him before the end of the season. Don't like their chances if they are going up against San Jose/Dallas, plus probably others, in the off-season. Interestingly enough it's the same scenario that landed them Darryl Sutter. He was their 3rd coach that season and they hired him mid season after SJ let him go.

I think that's an unfair term. While I didn't agree with the direction Peters was taking the team I also don't think it's a viable excuse for the lack of execution that has been there for most of the season. Ward has made a few subtle changes but IMO nothing drastic enough that would be a viable excuse that you could attribute to the coaching change.