LouCifer

Whoa! I missed a lot... passed out putting my kids to bed, missed the game, took a peek here to see a flames win and a coaching change?! Wow... 2 for 2 on the unexpected. I agree with most that this has ownership’s fingerprints all over it, however, I’ve been done with Wardo for a while now and I’m glad we have someone else behind the bench. I like what DS brings, and he also has cup pedigree now. It’s time to get this ship sailing right, and let any passengers walk the plank. PS> thanks snowbear for breaking the news!

I came here to say exactly this.

I think this is foreshadowing our off-season.

I’m sure at practice our offense looks much more threatening against the passive defense we’ve implemented. Our forwards just don’t know what to do if the opposition doesn’t let us just waltz into their zone!

If that's the case, I worry about the negative impact he'll have on the development and growth of players like Andersson, Valimaki, Dube, etc. in that time. Hopefully we can reverse the damage done...

First off, I’d like to say I like Nesto, and I like the signing by BT. Smart. Secondly, I wanted to point out that the last few games where Nesto and Valimaki were scored on, it was Valimaki with the error in judgement that caused the goals against. (Ie leaving front of our net coverage to assist on Nestorov’s side, inexplicably resulting in a goal against). Oddly, I haven’t seen Valimaki make similar mistakes when partnered with Mackey or Kyller to this point. Lastly, Valimaki does need to stay in the lineup to grow his game at the NHL level (mistakes and all) so I agree he should remain in, but I’m confused about why Kyller is being replaced by Nesto. I like Nesto, but Kyller played relatively well last night and nobody is going to get into any kind of groove with the in and out nature of this coach. Give Kyller a few games man! Lines get shuffled, lineups get shuffled, and we’re all left wondering:

I just posted in the blow it up thread that you can only interview or acquire coaches/players that have a desire to be in Calgary. Perhaps there were slim pickings, or, available coaches weren’t willing to commit to us beyond this year with the Kraken opportunity up and coming. Many factors at play here.

Hey JJ. The way you present it does look pretty bad on the GM. However, I’d go an additional “who’s fault is that?” Level and point the finger at those that give Treliving his marching orders and parameters to work with. I’ve read and heard from multiple media sources countless times that BT is one of the most active GMs in the league. I think LeBrun mentioned it in an article recently as well, saying something along the lines that he calls every GM every 10 days or so to check in. For me, that’s what I want in a GM for the flames as opposed to someone who sits on his laurels and enjoys the status quo. The interesting thing with BT however is that it appears that he’s done just that - maintain the status quo - but, I said it in a past post and I’ll say it again, I don’t think Calgary is an attractive destination for coaches and players alike. BT has to work within the confines handed to him by ownership, and against players and coaches that have no desire to come to Calgary. However, it’s not all doom and gloom. Look at our neighbours to the north. They got a McDavid, and suddenly Edmonton was an attractive destination to play in. My evident desire to land Eichel is two-fold: 1. To finally have a bonafide #1 C, and 2. to draw additional talent to Calgary (coaches as well as players). And this idea does also apply to your preference to build the team from the ground up. 1st overall picks aren’t always generational players, but they do typically turn into impact players. If the flames tanked and were able to get a player of McDavid or Matthews talent, that would go a long way to acquiring additional talent in my mind. I think I just prefer to try to do so by acquiring an Eichel at this point in time, as opposed to blowing it up. Just my personal preference.

Well said cross.

Captain obvious would point out that Ward was passed over for Gully years ago. But now he's right for the job? Clearly there's something else at play here ($)

Just in case it hasn't been mentioned on here before, Bruce Boudreau did express a desire in being the Kraken's first head coach (I'm sure every available coach would say that) but he went on about how he was the first coach for many franchises and that fresh start is something he's very interested in. I'm sure any coaching gig would be desirable to a non-working coach, but for us I think any chance of Boudreau would require the contract only be for this year. Not sure that would be good for the group having only a temp. Just thinking out loud here. Regarding Julien, I was wondering if he and Ward could rekindle the bruins cup magic here. I guess I'm grasping at straws because there aren't many available, and as much as I want to like Ward, I don't think he's right for this team. He also reminds me of Liam Nieson, but without the execution.

Claude Julien is available. Canadiens fire Julien, appoint Ducharme interim head coach https://www.tsn.ca/1.1598262.1614179858 Maybe Ward will stick around and step back for his former coach if we bring him in.

Great post Pikey! I also just read a great article that I think sums up everything that needs to be said about the Calgary flames. I was never a fan of Jeremy Franklin, but new Flames correspondent Salim Valji with TSN is quickly becoming my favorite flames read. I love that his writing approach isn’t vindictive or negative, but truthful and honest - despite if it’s detailing positives or negatives. Please have a read. https://www.tsn.ca/1.1596915.1614007446

I applaud him for stepping up, speaking his mind, showing he cares. Sure, his play hasn’t been great this year thus far - he’s also playing with a new line mate in Lindy so maybe chemistry is slow brewing there, but I don’t hear anyone else willing to put the team on their back. Gio is a good leader. Does the right thing, says the right thing - protects the team when they play poorly by looking at the positives and saying “they’re getting there”. But you also need people who call a spade a spade, and call people out when they’re holding the team back. I know hockey has changed from the past, but all of these stories of Messier in the dressing room and promising the media they were going to win the next game when they went down in the SCF, leaders that raise the bar of expectation for the room, leaders that drag their team into the battle (Iggy with “the shift”) - those are good things. Tkachuk may or may not be ready to be captain, but he’s seemingly stepping up to the plate when everyone else seems to be stepping back. For that, he gets my respect and applause. Good on you Chucky. I’d follow you into battle.

Well, the coach goes first. To me, some of our players appear to be going through the motions - perhaps they disagree with the coach, but there’s a lack of emotion and drive. Whatever is making them “give up” or “give in” or say “whoa is me” needs to change. Start with the coach, bring in a bonafide one (I say Gallant), and if the players are still underperforming address that thereafter. Ward IMO has made many questionable decisions, in fact, that’s probably been the most consistent thing for the flames this season.

I like that he put himself in the guillotine as well. Said it starts from the top. GM builds the roster, hires the coach... I’m hoping this was some insight into how he’s thinking - reevaluating some of his decisions and hopefully considering changes.

Can’t wait to start the Flames 19th coach thread... 😓 And I’m not giving a pass to the players here. That next coach has to run the show, because right now it’s being run by the inmates...

To answer the forum topic question at this point in the season: Soft. Fragile. Disjointed. Divided. Lost.

Agreed.

Consider me wired differently as well then. I agree with everything you’ve written here JT.

Looking forward to hearing it TBC. Thanks in advance for the share!

Hey Tmac, I felt just as lost as you when the forum went down. Living near Toronto, this place is my only outlet for Flames talk. I, like you, appreciate everyone's contributions here - regardless if their opinions are in-line or opposed to my own. That's what makes the conversation good. Right or wrong, it feels like we're all having the same or similar opinion lately. Doesn't make for good forum discussion, due to what we're seeing on the ice. I don't blame you - I got fed up a few times this season and turned the games off and left the conversation, but I do hope to see you return when this team gets their Satoshi Nakamoto together. You'll be missed, but we do hope to see you again soon.

Amen. Good. Thank you for those audio clips. And thank you to the broadcasters for calling it out like it is. I will still add that the flames play is on them, but there’s no excuse for the coach’s lineup decisions, lack of in game adjustments, and goalie decisions. Call Gerard Gallant already. Don’t waste this once in a lifetime season on buffoonery.

So Bennett was given 2 games with JH and Mony, pots a goal no less, then gets reunited with the playoff line Lucic and Dube when backlund gets sidelined, that line is responsible for 2 goals for, and now Backlund comes back and Bennett is on the fourth line!???!?!??!?!??!?!?!? I'm done with Wardo. This guy is a joke. Prediction: Gasoline poured on the Bennett wanting a trade fire, and Brian Burke is going to manage to get Bennett from us for Pittsburgh - watch.