This team needs a new coach. I'm not trying to throw Gulutzan under the bus here, but there's just too much that doesn't work with how we approach games.
- The defense don't play an attacking, aggressive style when that's exactly what we need from them.
- Too much stock is put into shot totals. And I think shot attempt differentials are important, but they should come organically through this team's high talent level, not by grinding and cycling for shots right into a positioned and set goaltender.
- There just isn't a good feel for goaltending decisions. Smith should not have played tonight. Rittich should have been right back in net after the Colorado game where he was the only Flame that actually showed up.
- Our powerplays are bad. Even when they score, it feels like we just got a fortunate bounce rather than took advantage of having an extra person on the ice.
- Sam Bennett is completely misused and underused. It's pretty clear he's the most talented center on roster, and should be playing with talent, speed, ice time, and a commitment to getting the most out of him, rather than an afterthought to grind around in corners every game.
- Lines get too stagnant without any fix until it's far too late and the damage has been done. Same applies to defense pairs.
- Late game situations are just inept. That's the only way I can describe it. We must lead the league in empty netters against.
- The penalty kill personnel usage is atrocious. The only reason we don't have a bottom 3rd PK is because of goaltending.
The list really goes on. This team is a cup contending roster being piddled around wasting half their games playing hopeless grinder hockey with the Garnet Hathaways and Troy Brouwers. All teams have their bottom-of-roster grinders but most of them cycle them around when they're playing awful. Hathaway hasn't had an especially memorable game since December. Lazar's been better, yet got scratched for Tanner Glass. It's just nonsensical.
