The psychological war in the BOA
By Phil Gretzky
Brad Treliving as GM has continued a rather dubious tradition for the Flames. What is that tradition you may ask? One of inconsistency season over season. The Flames in their history have rarely been able to have consistent seasons of success. It’s always one step forward, then one step back.
Even in their two most successful seasons, 1989 (Cup win) and 2004 (Cup finals appearance) they were out in the first round in 1990 and again out in the first round in 2006 (the 2005 season was cancelled due to a lockout, if you remember).
Even if you look at the full seasons of Treliving’s tenure, here’s what you see:
2015 – out in the second round of the playoffs
2016 – didn’t make the playoffs
2017 – out in the first round of the playoffs
2018 – didn’t make the playoffs
2019 – out in the first round of the playoffs
2020 – they won the qualifying round but were out in the first round
2021 – didn’t make the playoffs
Only once in Treliving’s tenure have the Flames made the playoffs in consecutive seasons, and even then the team was out in the first round both times. Not an encouraging sign.
In fact, the Flames haven’t put together a team that was successful in consecutive seasons since the 80s. Their entire history almost has been one of make the playoffs, maybe win a round but probably not, then drop off the map again next season.
If the Flames can get at least to the third round that might save his job. Maybe. But I have to think that Treliving’s seat is feeling awfully hot these days. I don’t know how ownership of an NHL team would find it acceptable to have a GM around for eight offseasons and seven full seasons and not have the team move the needle on it’s window to win in the slightest. On most teams the Brad Trelivings of this world would have five years to prove their skills and that’s all.
Ken Holland, on the other hand, has no such pressure here. He’s been the Edmonton Oilers GM for only four offseasons and three full seasons, for one thing, and during that time his teams have made the playoffs three consecutive years and advanced to the second round (and potentially more) this season.
I don’t know about you, but I’d rather be the GM in Oil Country than Cowtown these days. Starting a tradition of winning or continuing a tradition of choking? If that were Sophie’s Choice it would’ve been a much shorter movie.