Bob the Builder Is The Right Man For the Job – For Now

The timing of the announcement couldn’t have been more perfect.

If ever there was a time to make a statement as to the absolute
certainty of the Calgary Flames’ feeling they have the right man for the
job, it’s to extend the head coach of a rebuilding franchise during a
six-game losing streak.

It serves as a reminder to the fans that the team’s brass knows there
will be plenty of growing pains to come and that the early-season
exceeding of all expectations did nothing to change their short or
long-term plans.

It serves as a distraction to those outside the locker-room who are
sulking over the recent losses. More importantly, it’s a welcome change
of topic for those who are inside the locker-room — many also seen
moping or quietly raging after the loss to the New York Rangers the
previous evening.

It serves as notice to those who point to the statistics like shooting
percentage and Corsi as reasons Hartley should not have been re-signed
that things like work ethic and culture are at least as important to a
team at this stage of the rebuilding process as the strong underlying
numbers they’re sure will eventually come when the likes of Johnny
Gaudreau, Markus Granlund, Josh Jooris and Michael Ferland reach their
prime.

“I’ve been nothing but impressed with Bob, his work ethic, his energy
level, the time he puts in to get this team to the place we all want to
get it to,” GM Brad Treliving said during Wednesday’s press conference. “There’s a consistency to him that I admire.”

The team, veterans and youngsters alike, mirror that effort more often
than not. The culture Bob is building is what sets the Flames apart from
a team like the Edmonton Oilers, which continues to make constant
coaching changes while leaving the contentedly underachieving roster
safe.

Hartley’s support is evident in the locker-room. Less than 24 hours
before the Hartley extension was announced, I spoke with Flames captain
Mark Giordano about the coach’s skills and feel for the pulse of the
young team.

“Especially for young guys, and even older guys coming in, he came in
and what he put into our team is details. Bottom line is we all have
good body position and stick position now. We’ve learned a lot
defensively, not only in our zone but defensively in the offensive zone,
being on the right side of guys,” said Giordano, who has continued to
grow as a two-way defenceman who is now considered a candidate for the
Norris Trophy.

“It’s a hard way to play but I think for young guys coming into the
league, to be able to learn like that in their first few years in the
league, it’s going to go a long way and make them good two-way players.
They learn the right way right off the hop. I think for their careers it
will go a long way.”

With at least a couple more years under Hartley, the kids should
continue to grow. Another aspect of his ability to do the right thing
for his players at the right time is allowing the veterans, like
Giordano, to make some of the lectures when they’re needed.

“Yeah. It’s on us as leaders, older guys and stuff to know that line,
too. When things need to be said in here as players, we do,” Giordano
says. “But coaches hold us accountable.”

Hired by the former general manager, Jay Feaster, the odds might have
been stacked against Hartley returning to continue his work with an
expiring contract looming this summer. Similarly, the odds the Flames
face to take this roster to the playoffs are not entirely favourable.

Maybe that’s another message from Treliving for his team. Nothing is
impossible. And management has the patience and vision to make sure the
process is done the right way.