It’s just past the midway markup the 2015-2016 NHL season and the Calgary Flames hover around bottom bottom of the league. Nobody is expecting them to make this year’s playoffs although they might make a late push. Although the players could be blamed for the slow start that didn’t really pick up steam until December, nowadays it seems as though the coaching is hurting the team. Here are three reasons why.
- After benching 2/3 of the top line and the team’s top two goal scorers, most people praised the coach. It might make sense but ultimately they could’ve cost the team to much needed points.
- The powerplay is the worst and only and the system comes from the coach.
- Speaking of player management, how the coaching staff has handled the seventh defenseman is atrocious. Jakub Nakladal is the please clear yet snowball by Hartley’s refusal to play younger D-Men. This is causing over reliance on subpar D-men like Engelland and most recently Smid, seemed to be on the ice for every single San Jose goal.
Specifically in the San Jose game, momentum turned when the Sharks got a lengthy 5v3 powerplay thanks to a bench minor. This is a direct action from coach and it had immediate consequences which cost the team their starting goalie and nearly two points.
The trouble right now is that for every good at hard decision the coach makes, he’s also making to head scratchers.
What are your thoughts on the current coaching regime?
It was a whack of a game, more like a penalty killing affair than a hockey duo. Tribute to Sam Bennett, Mark Giordano, Sean Monahan, Mikael Backlund and Kris Russell for targeting the net ….what a way to start the game….Karri Ramo’s injury is disturbing but recognition is in place for the 5 on 3 penalty killers….awesome effort. Hiller stood on top of the hill to earn the two mighty points…Lest we forget the shootout contributors, Joe Colborne and Jiri Hudler need standing ovation for their perfect targets.
Sitting out three players against the Maple Leafs gave the rest of the team an opportunity to take the upper hand and the players proved themselves worthy. Flames have been targeted to finger pointing of late, and this is totally unfair.
If you want further evidence that management and coaching have phoned it in, look no further than the Anaheim game. Bollig on the TOP LINE? The insistence of playing Hiller? Overall, this is showcasing players for the deadline and nothing more.
I have no reason to complain about the Flames-Anaheim game tonight. What I witnessed was this.
1. Sam Bennett had been penalized but the defective replay showed bum whacking between Perron and Giordano? Faulty equipment?
2. The high stick on Joe Colborne’s cheek that had been disregarded but David Jones had been penalized without a replay. Faulty equipment?
3. Lance Bouma had just fallen down and the play should have been whistled and it wasn’t. Maroon had scored a goal!
Impressive officials!
Did anyone notice the irony in the game.
Kessler, Cogliano, Bieksa and Shawn Horcoff had all played for Canadian teams. Surprise??
Hartley with two forwards on the ice with 30 seconds left against NYI. Another bone headed move.
The continuation of sitting Josh Jooris, bone headed.