The Flames identified their fall guy for a disappointing 2017-18 season, firing coach Glen Gulutzan and his top assistants Tuesday in a reboot just two years into their tenure.
Calgary entered the season with high expectations on the heels of a promising 2016-17, but took a step back in Gulutzan's second year, finishing 11 points out of a playoff spot. The fiery coach failed to make the most of a talented but imperfect roster, which seemed to lack for emotional investment despite Gulutzan's best efforts to fuel it , leading to an organizational decision to move on.
“(Gulutzan) didn’t get our team to the point that I thought we needed to get to," Flames general manager Brad Treliving said , adding that "there is lots of blame to go around."
"I thought we underperformed and we had players that underperformed."
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All told, Treliving, hired in 2014, bears responsibility for roster construction, but his job is safe for the time being. He'll lead the franchise's fifth coaching search in 10 years, which Treliving said will carry a preference for those with NHL experience.
The Flames have gone the retread route in back-to-back coaching hires under Treliving. Given their status as a team on the fringe of playoff contention, helmed by a veteran incumbent GM, look for the team to opt for a safer, established hire or someone with deep familiarity of the players already on the roster, which is bound to look vastly different next season outside the core of Johnny Gaudreau, Sean Monahan and Co.
“I think having experience in this league is critical. I think knowing the league is an important aspect,” Treliving said. “There’s candidates that have coached in the league. There’s lots of candidates, some that may still be working.”
Let's take a look at five candidates who could be a fit, listed in no particular order.
Dave Tippett
Current job: Free agent
Age: 56
NHL record: 553-413-120 (.563)
Tippett's name will be the one most commonly associated with the Flames opening. He has a relationship with Treliving, who was assistant general manager for the Coyotes in 2009 when the team hired Tippett as head coach. Tippett won the Jack Adams that year, guiding the Coyotes to a 28-point improvement and a berth in the Western Conference finals. He's been biding his time since his ouster from Arizona last year, waiting for the right situation, and is considered one of the more esteemed options on the market. There may not be a more perfect fit for the Flames.
Bill Peters
Current job: Hurricanes head coach
Age: 51
NHL record: 137-138-53 (.498)
Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon often waxes poetic about Peters' coaching philosophies and a belief he can be the answer to Carolina's turnaround, but it isn't clear if the feeling is mutual. Dundon is having trouble filling the vacant general manager position, a search that turned ugly when word got out about apparent well-below-market offers . Peters' contract includes an out clause which allows him to speak to other teams, and he has been taking advantage.
Interesting game of cat and mouse going on in CAR with head coach Bill Peters and owner Tom Dundon. Peters, for now, has option to leave CAR. Sense is Peters’ strong preference is to NOT return. He is a candidate in CGY/DAL and belief is the Albertan’s preference is to go home.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) April 19, 2018
Meanwhile, the sense is Dundon also has a strong preference for Peters to NOT come back. If Peters exercises his option to leave, Dundon is off the hook for Peters’ contract and would be free to name a new head coach. Perhaps Rod Brind’Amour.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) April 19, 2018
But if Peters doesn’t use option to leave, if timing and/or prospects of CGY/DAL job don’t materialize during window, Peters may not be eager to walk away from CAR with $ (one year) still on table. May prefer to be fired, but Dundon doesn’t like firing, prefers reassigning.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) April 19, 2018
So even though it appears Peters would strongly prefer to leave CAR and Dundon would strongly prefer him to leave, the circumstances of a potential departure have financial implications for both, so it all could get a little sticky. Unless Peters gets hired quickly elsewhere.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) April 19, 2018
The tie to Treliving is there: Peters was the GM's pick to coach Team Canada at the 2016 world championships. Peters hasn't made the playoffs in four seasons in Raleigh, but he's respected in NHL circles for his emphasis on possession analytics, something Treliving wanted to become an organizational priority when hiring Gulutzan.
Ryan Huska
Current job: Stockton Heat (AHL) head coach
Age: 42
NHL record: 0-0-0
Huska is already highly regarded within the Flames organization for his work at the AHL level, leading the Heat (and Adirondack Flames) to a 135-118-27 record in four seasons, including consecutive Calder Cup playoff berths. Along the way, he's worked with a number of players on the Flames' young roster, and that roster may be younger still a year from now. Huska's experience could make him an exception to the veteran look.
Darryl Sutter
Current job: Free agent
Age: 59
NHL record: 634-467-83 (.565)
A Sutter reunion might be the remedy the Flames don't know they need. Everyone's favorite Alberta curmudgeon spent eight years in Calgary beginning in 2002, including three on the bench (107-73-15-15), holding the title of both coach and general manager during the Flames' run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2004. In 2006, Sutter removed himself from coaching duties, then went on to oversee six seasons of relative mediocrity from the front office (with three different coaches) until stepping down in 2010. He took the Kings job a year later and won a pair of Stanley Cups, but eventually the act grew stale in Los Angeles, too.
Flames fans were thankful eight years ago to rid the organization of Sutter's stuffiness, so his return may not inspire much enthusiasm. Still, he's a proven, steady force who's built up enough good will to be considered for another job with a team looking to apply a coarse, veteran touch.
Todd Reirden
Current job: Capitals assistant coach
Age: 46
NHL record: 0-0-0
Reirden is renowned for his ability to develop young talent. Every year, his name surfaces in coaching rumors, but Capitals have blocked him from interviewing for open jobs in recent seasons. His availability could be in doubt again should Barry Trotz become the fall guy after another failed playoff run, in which case Reirden would be a top option to slide into that job. But it's just a matter of time until his gets a head-coaching shot. Before Washington, Reirden was an assistant with the Penguins under Dan Bylsma.
