Glen Gulutzan-16th Flames Coach

[MAC331]

20 hours ago, cross16 said:

I don't like Versteeg on the PP either. I didn't mind Brouwer becuase I understand the role they are using but it wasn't working but they also did make the switch there too. I don't think it's easy as saying "just put a shooter" out there because who is that? Imo, this team lacks shooters so i'm not sure it's as easy a fix as you think.

 

End of the day for 60 games last year this was one of the league's best PPs. For the first 8 games this year they were at 22%, went through a bad 4 games where they didn't score and now in the last 4 games they are 23 % again. I get people are not seeing what they want and that's fine but you're reading into a very small sample size when we talk about the flames having an awful PP or the coach needing to go.

 

personally i'm not sure what the focus is on the PP. The PK is far more problematic. From a bigger picture scenario I don't think there is much wrong with the PP other than the players taking more chances and actually scoring more goals, the process on the PP Is sound IMO. PK is another story. 

I regards to our PK I see on a regular basis our defensemen going down on one knee or totalling flopping on the ice in front of Smith or to far over and NOT protecting the back door. I think for the most part the guys out front are doing a good job but outside of Backlund and Frolik I would like to see Bennett and Lazar as a pair on the PK.

[travel_dude]

1 hour ago, MAC331 said:

I regards to our PK I see on a regular basis our defensemen going down on one knee or totalling flopping on the ice in front of Smith or to far over and NOT protecting the back door. I think for the most part the guys out front are doing a good job but outside of Backlund and Frolik I would like to see Bennett and Lazar as a pair on the PK.

 

The flopping on the ice is a Russell thing.  I don't want to see that unless there no other thing that could work.  Breakaway and you are behind the guy.  The one-knee thing does work a lot of times, but that's to protect the cross-crease passes.  Other than that, you are screening Smith.

 

Bennett and Lazar as a pair might be a bit risky.  Spread the wealth.  Bennett/Frolik, Backlund/Lazar, Monahan/Tkachuk.    

[MAC331]

44 minutes ago, travel_dude said:

 

The flopping on the ice is a Russell thing.  I don't want to see that unless there no other thing that could work.  Breakaway and you are behind the guy.  The one-knee thing does work a lot of times, but that's to protect the cross-crease passes.  Other than that, you are screening Smith.

 

Bennett and Lazar as a pair might be a bit risky.  Spread the wealth.  Bennett/Frolik, Backlund/Lazar, Monahan/Tkachuk.    

I don't see the point of "spreading " the wealth, Backlund and Frolik read off each other to well. Bennett and Lazar would need to develop the same chemistry. Monahan and Tkachuk I wouldn't even consider for that role.

[travel_dude]

18 minutes ago, MAC331 said:

I don't see the point of "spreading " the wealth, Backlund and Frolik read off each other to well. Bennett and Lazar would need to develop the same chemistry. Monahan and Tkachuk I wouldn't even consider for that role.

 

Backlund and Frolik can't play every minute of the PK.  In a lot of cases, goals are scored on the back half of the PK or just after it expires.  I would rather split them up to provide one specialist per unit.  BTW, Monahan does play on the PK, usually only behind Backs and Frolik in minutes per game.  Tkachuk is one of our best two way players, so I wouldn't have an issue with him out there.  Another guy I could see using would be Janko.    

[MAC331]

54 minutes ago, travel_dude said:

 

Backlund and Frolik can't play every minute of the PK.  In a lot of cases, goals are scored on the back half of the PK or just after it expires.  I would rather split them up to provide one specialist per unit.  BTW, Monahan does play on the PK, usually only behind Backs and Frolik in minutes per game.  Tkachuk is one of our best two way players, so I wouldn't have an issue with him out there.  Another guy I could see using would be Janko.    

Two sets is all you need and you need them to know what they are doing as a unit. Could some others fit I sure but you definitely need the 2 good units.

[cross16]

15 hours ago, cccsberg said:

Before last game the bottom half of the 4 forward lines had exactly 0 5v5 goals.  How about them actually contributing on a regular basis?

 

For sure. But how is that a coach problem?

[cross16]

19 hours ago, DirtyDeeds said:

Spout out all the stats you want Cross but fact is we would not be anywhere near in the standings without the elite goaltending we are getting. 

 

Practically no one cares about corsi or fenwick stats when the team is only scoring around 2 goals per game and even a large portion of those are coming from 1 player.

 

Depends on what your benchmark is. How many wins do the Flames have that Smith stole And how many less wins would they have if they had league average goaltending? I'm not taking anything away from smith he's been great but I don't agree with this notion that without smith they are the Oilers. Unless you replace smith with the Elliott of last season then sure. Replace smith with average goaltending and it's maybe 2 less wins I'd say. He's kept them closer than they should be in a lot of losses but I think most of the Flames wins they've earned. 

 

And what team high in the standing right now doesn't have their goalie to thank? You can ignore stats if you want but they point out that the Flames are playing fairly well right now 5on5. Their special teams need work though as does their ability to finish but I have a tough time blaming Gulutzan for the lack offense. That's a player issue imo. 

[DirtyDeeds]

1 hour ago, cross16 said:

 

Depends on what your benchmark is. How many wins do the Flames have that Smith stole And how many less wins would they have if they had league average goaltending? I'm not taking anything away from smith he's been great but I don't agree with this notion that without smith they are the Oilers. Unless you replace smith with the Elliott of last season then sure. Replace smith with average goaltending and it's maybe 2 less wins I'd say. He's kept them closer than they should be in a lot of losses but I think most of the Flames wins they've earned. 

 

And what team high in the standing right now doesn't have their goalie to thank? You can ignore stats if you want but they point out that the Flames are playing fairly well right now 5on5. Their special teams need work though as does their ability to finish but I have a tough time blaming Gulutzan for the lack offense. That's a player issue imo. 

You can't be serious.. The Flames averaged around 40 shots per game against and you are trying to tell me it is not a coaching problem. That Smith earned maybe 2 wins? Smith has been a 1st star for almost all our games.... Give your head a shake Cross.. 2 less wins.. Pfft...

[420since1974]

As of today, I feel that the most needed improvements are in:

- Bottom 6 Scoring.

- Penalty Killing.

 

To my eyes, most everything else is league average or above.

[cross16]

16 minutes ago, DirtyDeeds said:

You can't be serious.. The Flames averaged around 40 shots per game against and you are trying to tell me it is not a coaching problem. That Smith earned maybe 2 wins? Smith has been a 1st star for almost all our games.... Give your head a shake Cross.. 2 less wins.. Pfft...

 

They are 18th in the league in shots against and they do not give up 40 in a game but ok. Never mind the fact that shot volume really doesn't tell you much. 

 

Difference between the flames save % and a league avg team is about 1%. If you think that would equate to more than 2 max 3 losses fine. So yes if we assume that the replacement for smith is a terrible goalie, like Elliott at the start of last year, then yes the flames would be much lower in the standings but so would any team. 

[DirtyDeeds]

 

They are 18th in the league in shots against and they do not give up 40 in a game but ok

 

 16 games into the season and almost 1/3 of them Flames allowed over 40 shots. 

[MAC331]

17 hours ago, DirtyDeeds said:

 

 

 

 

 16 games into the season and almost 1/3 of them Flames allowed over 40 shots. 

We lost a number of games last season it seemed by untimely soft goals which Smith this season is saving us from. Isn't this what we wanted ? We have primarily the same team in front of Smith with a few additions however I think we can improve in some areas such as PK and in our 3rd D pairing to boost a better overall performance.

[redfire11]

Great emotion GG on the bench Weds night against Det. While the refs are bending the team over the boards you stand there seemingly disinterested. I was waiting for him to pull up those miniature binoculars on a stick to check the penalty board.

YA I know everyone "What could GG have done"!!!

 

He could have showed his team he gives a s@#$ about them.

 

 

[MAC331]

36 minutes ago, redfire11 said:

Great emotion GG on the bench Weds night against Det. While the refs are bending the team over the boards you stand there seemingly disinterested. I was waiting for him to pull up those miniature binoculars on a stick to check the penalty board.

YA I know everyone "What could GG have done"!!!

 

He could have showed his team he gives a s@#$ about them.

 

 

How ?

[redfire11]

1 hour ago, redfire11 said:

Great emotion GG on the bench Weds night against Det. While the refs are bending the team over the boards you stand there seemingly disinterested. I was waiting for him to pull up those miniature binoculars on a stick to check the penalty board.

YA I know everyone "What could GG have done"!!!

 

He could have showed his team he gives a s@#$ about them.

 

 

 

43 minutes ago, MAC331 said:

How ?

Do you think Babcock, Quenneville, Tortorella, Trotz would have stood there like a deer in headlights.  Half or all of them would have been kicked out of the game with fines coming later. Not only would this send a message to your team "you have their back"  but league wide the refs decisions would be dissected. It would not have helped this game but I guarantee next time that ref plays against that coach the ref is going to go out of his way to make sure he gets his calls correct. 

[Heartbreaker]

20 minutes ago, redfire11 said:

Do you think Babcock, Quenneville, Tortorella, Trotz would have stood there like a deer in headlights.  Half or all of them would have been kicked out of the game with fines coming later. 

Maybe he's saving up for something... 

Love. 

[redfire11]

9 minutes ago, Heartbreaker said:

Maybe he's saving up for something... 

Love. 

LOL yes

Maybe a home in CAR, FLA or ARI???

[MAC331]

1 hour ago, redfire11 said:

 

Do you think Babcock, Quenneville, Tortorella, Trotz would have stood there like a deer in headlights.  Half or all of them would have been kicked out of the game with fines coming later. Not only would this send a message to your team "you have their back"  but league wide the refs decisions would be dissected. It would not have helped this game but I guarantee next time that ref plays against that coach the ref is going to go out of his way to make sure he gets his calls correct. 

I don't think the refs today give two hoots what these coaches or players think or say. Look where it got Backlund. There were players jumping all over the bech, not sure where GG was going to push everyone aside in that melee. By the time the penalties are sorted out and announced it's to late. If his feelings was like mine it was "let's finish this f-ing game and get out of here." I'm not sure what kind of relationship GG has with this group, hispost game comments were not very team friendly regarding the players effort.

[DirtyDeeds]

On 11/16/2017 at 9:26 AM, redfire11 said:

Great emotion GG on the bench Weds night against Det. While the refs are bending the team over the boards you stand there seemingly disinterested. I was waiting for him to pull up those miniature binoculars on a stick to check the penalty board.

YA I know everyone "What could GG have done"!!!

 

He could have showed his team he gives a s@#$ about them.

 

 

While I don't disagree I have to think the head coach has to save such emotions for spots where it will make a difference maybe with the outcome of the game. Dave Cameron was doing enough yelling and berating the on goings for all the coaches on the Flames anyway.

[stubblejumper1]

1 hour ago, DirtyDeeds said:

While I don't disagree I have to think the head coach has to save such emotions for spots where it will make a difference maybe with the outcome of the game. Dave Cameron was doing enough yelling and berating the on goings for all the coaches on the Flames anyway.

 

Was Dave Cameron yelling at the penalty killers?  Or is he happy with their performance?  

[DirtyDeeds]

7 minutes ago, stubblejumper1 said:

 

Was Dave Cameron yelling at the penalty killers?  Or is he happy with their performance?  

He was yelling at everybody during the fighting.. including the refs and the other coaches.....

[LouCifer]

Jagr likes GG. Said it was one of the reasons he chose Calgary - familiarity. 

 

I, however, am not so secretly hoping the entire coaching staff gets axed. If not all at once, I'll accept replacing the assistants first and keeping GG on a short leash. Who's available?

/rantwarning

There was a time not so long ago that this team played until the last buzzer. I was happy with the team's effort regardless of outcome, game in and out. This year, a handful of players are putting in effort, and the others are going through the motions. I hate the Canucks. But I watched some of their game against St. Louis tonight... you know what I saw? Complete effort. Playing hard for each other. Trying to keep their lead. But where Vancouver lacks in talent (the blues eventually tied it), they try to make up for it with effort. I guess we're talented then, because I'm not seeing consistent effort from the flames. Sure, we have a winning record... but I don't think it's deserved. Some of our players should start being charged for a ticket to watch the Johnny Hockey and Mike Smith show too.  I love this team, I want them to do well, but it's painful to see them not playing anywhere close to their potential. They're developing poor habits, which will lead to poor results. 

/endrant

I seem to recall Lou Lamorello (sp?) when GM of the devils axing coaches near the end of the season and getting a boost from the team going into the playoffs. I'm sure he did it a few times. Here's hoping. 

[AlbertaBoy12]

7 hours ago, lou44291 said:

Jagr likes GG. Said it was one of the reasons he chose Calgary - familiarity. 

 

I, however, am not so secretly hoping the entire coaching staff gets axed. If not all at once, I'll accept replacing the assistants first and keeping GG on a short leash. Who's available?

/rantwarning

There was a time not so long ago that this team played until the last buzzer. I was happy with the team's effort regardless of outcome, game in and out. This year, a handful of players are putting in effort, and the others are going through the motions. I hate the Canucks. But I watched some of their game against St. Louis tonight... you know what I saw? Complete effort. Playing hard for each other. Trying to keep their lead. But where Vancouver lacks in talent (the blues eventually tied it), they try to make up for it with effort. I guess we're talented then, because I'm not seeing consistent effort from the flames. Sure, we have a winning record... but I don't think it's deserved. Some of our players should start being charged for a ticket to watch the Johnny Hockey and Mike Smith show too.  I love this team, I want them to do well, but it's painful to see them not playing anywhere close to their potential. They're developing poor habits, which will lead to poor results. 

/endrant

I seem to recall Lou Lamorello (sp?) when GM of the devils axing coaches near the end of the season and getting a boost from the team going into the playoffs. I'm sure he did it a few times. Here's hoping. 

Which players dont you think are making a complete effort or are trying?

 

I also dont agree that this is a coaching thing, the coaching of this team is the best its been in years, and personally on a night by night basis ive been pretty happy with alot of players efforts, but at the same time when youre winning the puck possession battle, it might not look like the flames are trying "hard"? I guess. When I watch the flames play this season except for a couple games, I see them winning a ton of battles along the wall, clean break outs(thanks to mike smith sometimes), and really good sticks at times, they havent been consistent, but I dont think this team has been lacking in effort on the whole.

[MAC331]

9 hours ago, lou44291 said:

Jagr likes GG. Said it was one of the reasons he chose Calgary - familiarity. 

 

I, however, am not so secretly hoping the entire coaching staff gets axed. If not all at once, I'll accept replacing the assistants first and keeping GG on a short leash. Who's available?

/rantwarning

There was a time not so long ago that this team played until the last buzzer. I was happy with the team's effort regardless of outcome, game in and out. This year, a handful of players are putting in effort, and the others are going through the motions. I hate the Canucks. But I watched some of their game against St. Louis tonight... you know what I saw? Complete effort. Playing hard for each other. Trying to keep their lead. But where Vancouver lacks in talent (the blues eventually tied it), they try to make up for it with effort. I guess we're talented then, because I'm not seeing consistent effort from the flames. Sure, we have a winning record... but I don't think it's deserved. Some of our players should start being charged for a ticket to watch the Johnny Hockey and Mike Smith show too.  I love this team, I want them to do well, but it's painful to see them not playing anywhere close to their potential. They're developing poor habits, which will lead to poor results. 

/endrant

I seem to recall Lou Lamorello (sp?) when GM of the devils axing coaches near the end of the season and getting a boost from the team going into the playoffs. I'm sure he did it a few times. Here's hoping. 

I think you are barking up the wrong tree. Can this team play better, sure. Have they been terrible, no. GG and staff were hired to usher in a more structured game and for the most part have done just that. You bring up VAN as a comparison and I would say to you they are having the success this group had under BH 4 years ago. Why ? because they are young full of P and V and are sneaking up on teams. They won't be there at the end.

Who specifically are you accusing of being spectators ?

Here is my take so far: Smith - Fantastic, Lack - lacklustre. Defense: Kulak good and growing, Girodano - topnotch, All of Brodie, Hamonic and Stone need to be better.

Forwards: Gaudreau, Monahan, Ferland playing well together.Tkachuk, Backlund, Frolik good but need to do more. Bennett, Jankowski, Jagr good start since formed but need more from Bennett and Jagr. Versteeg, Lazar, Brouwer some good individual play in spots but so far a real non factor. Stajan has added nothing.

What poor habits are you referring to ?

I have seen some bad decision making at times but would be curious to what you mean.

[redfire11]

1 hour ago, MAC331 said:

 Can this team play better, sure. Have they been terrible, no. GG and staff were hired to usher in a more structured game

 

I think this is the Flames biggest problem We are NOT playing a sound structured game.

We are not defending our Blue line allowing easy zone access for our opponents and when we play a team that defends their blue line our forwards can't  GAIN O access.

This falling back to a defensive square in front of Smith mentality has to stop. We have played the majority of the season in OUR zone. Is this really the Structure that can more our team forward?