News ahead of the Calgary Flames game tomorrow night against the Ottawa Senators as head coach Ryan Huska has made lineup changes yet again. The Flames lost to the Toronto Maple Leafs last night despite a valiant effort until the dying minutes of the third period, and in response Huska has decided to go nuclear and make bizzare lineup changes.

It appears that Matt Coronato and Zayne Parekh will be healthy scratched for the Flames’ next game.

This decision is a complete and utter contradiction to 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 lineup. Well, he lasted all of one game, and was stapled to the fourth line with unskilled grinder forwards Justin Kirkland and Ryan Lomberg.

It’s hard to say Coronato was put in a position to succeed.

For a player who’s agent publicly complained about the Flames’ handling of him last season, this seems like a very risky, and potentially franchise-damaging decision.

A “shortsighted” decision

This is truly a head scratcher. Even members of the mainstream media are befuddled at what Huska is doing, as it truly makes no sense.

https://x.com/WesGilbertson/status/1983569440689324199?t=wbsqmDpGiQ9aw6X1LBlgeA&s=19

The Flames are circling the drain in 32nd spot in the NHL, and their response is to take their most talented goal scorer and best offensive defenceman by most underlying metrics out of 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 going forward. Why is he being treated like an 18-year-old rookie?

And Parekh is starting to find some comfort in the NHL. Since October 20th, Parekh is the Flames’ team leader in shot attempts and second in expected goals share. He’s been on the ice for three goals for and just one against. Yes, he plays the right side and your other options are Rasmus Andersson and Mackenzie Weegar, but this just doesn’t seem warranted at all.

Are Conroy and Huska on the same page?

Craig Conroy has constantly preached the importance of getting young players minutes, yet Huska’s decisions fly in the face of that notion. Are the coach and GM on the same page? My assumption is that they are, and that points to a very concerning trend from management.

What do you think about Huska’s decisions? Let us know in the comments, social media, or, at this point, maybe send a letter to your MLA.

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