News ahead of the Calgary Flames game tomorrow night against the Ottawa Senators, as head coach Ryan Huska has once again made lineup changes. The Flames lost to the Toronto Maple Leafs last night despite a valiant effort until the final minutes of the third period, and in response Huska has decided to go nuclear and make bizarre lineup changes.
It appears Matt Coronato and Zayne Parekh will be healthy for the Flames’ next game.
This decision completely contradicts what Huska said two games ago when he scratched Coronato for the first time. He clearly indicated that the scratch was a one-time thing and that Coronato would be back in the line-up. Well, he lasted the entire game and was stapled on the fourth line with undrafted forwards Justin Kirkland and Ryan Lomberg.
It’s hard to say that Coronato has been put in a position to succeed.
For a player whose agent publicly complained about the Flames’ treatment of him last season, this seems like a very risky and potentially franchise-damaging decision.
A “short-sighted” decision
This is really a head scratcher. Even members of the mainstream media are confused about what Huska is doing because it really doesn’t make any sense.
https://x.com/WesGilbertson/status/1983569440689324199?t=wb²DpGiQ9aw6X1LBlgeA&s=19
The Flames are circling the drain at 32nd in the NHL, and their response is to take their most talented scorer and best offensive defenseman by most underlying attributes from the lineup.
Coronato just signed a seven-year extension with the Flames, and the team has clearly identified him as a key member of their core moving forward. Why is he being treated like an 18 year old rookie?
And Parekh is starting to find some solace in the NHL. As of October 20, Parekh is the Flames’ team leader in shot attempts and second in expected goal share. He has been on the ice with three goals for and only one against. Yes, he plays the right side and your other options are Rasmus Andersson and Mackenzie Weegar, but this doesn’t seem justified at all.
Are Conroy and Huska on the same page?
Craig Conroy has consistently preached the importance of getting playing time for young players, but Huska’s decisions go against that idea. Are the coach and the GM on the same page? My assumption is that this is the case, and that indicates a very worrying trend among management.
What do you think of Huska’s decisions? Let us know in the comments, on social media, or perhaps send a letter to your MLA right now.
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