The Flames dropped some pretty huge and mildly unexpected news this afternoon, firing head coach Glen Gulutzan, and assistants Dave Cameron and Paul Jerrard. The news comes following weeks of speculation regarding the coaching staff’s future and on the heels of a disappointing 2017-18 season.
The #Flames have relieved Glen Gulutzan, Dave Cameron and Paul Jerrard of their coaching duties. https://t.co/e11hRxsN0w
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) April 17, 2018
In two seasons with the #Flames, Gulutzan went 82-68-14.
— Aaron Vickers (@AAVickers) April 17, 2018
On this site, we have discussed at some length how the season went for the Flames and whether or not it made sense to move on from Gulutzan. Just this morning, Pat outlined how Gulutzan’s future weighed heavily on the off-season for the Flames. Earlier this month, Ryan detailed how the Flames managed difficult situations throughout the season and, in another story, why the staff might get fired.
Earlier this month, Flames GM Brad Treliving reflected on the 2017-18 season and, perhaps tellingly, did not give an unequivocal vote of confidence for the coaching staff.
During a dour and subdued press conference, Treliving mentioned that blame for the past season was not solely placed on the coaching staff. Essentially, Treliving said that though continuity was an important consideration, ultimately he decided that a move had to be made.
Treliving has repeated a few times, in some form or another: “We needed to do this to get to the level we expect.” #Flames
— Pat Steinberg (@Fan960Steinberg) April 17, 2018
It was confirmed during the conference that Gulutzan had signed a three-year contract and was indeed fired.
The press conference also confirmed that assistant coach Martin Gelinas, video coach Jamie Pringle, and goaltending coach Jordan Sigalet will all remain with the team.
Many names have begun to swirl around the Flames’ now-vacant spot, including Darryl Sutter and Bill Peters (who has until Friday to opt-out of his deal with the Carolina Hurricanes). Treliving did not indicate if another coach has been selected, though he has a “profile” of his next coach in mind.
Although, Treliving did note that he believed that having experience was “critical” for success in the league. Do with that information what you will.
So Treliving very much gives me the sense that Peters (or a coach still in the postseason) is the target, but that the next Flames coach is 100% going to have coached in the NHL before.
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) April 17, 2018
With regards to the powerplay, Treliving noted that the onus falls mostly on the players and did not specifically mention any concerns with any of the coaching staff in particular, only that the team under-performed all season.
Repeatedly, Treliving indicated that he believed this decision signalled the “beginning” of the offseason in earnest. So with that, let the offseason begin.
Unusual for BT to act this quickly – makes me wonder if this is positioning so that Peters doesn’t re-up by Friday
Also – why the heck not fire Sigalet – the goalie killer
agree, sigalet should be gone too. along with everyone down in stockton.
As much as I liked Sutter as a coach, I am not sure he is the right fit for this team. This team is not big and tough enough to play Sutter’s style. On the other hand, he would demand a consistent effort from every player and would probably love Bennett. I bet he could get the most out of Sam.
count me among those who would be OK with Daryl Sutter
I as well, although Sheldon Keefe or Todd Nelson have had great success in the minors if we go down the unproven path again
Flames need an experienced NHL not a minor league success. D Sutter fits the bill…doesn’t let players lollygag around the ice. Bob Hartley not in the running??? 🙂
Given the options, I’m OK with that too. I wasn’t too fond of the idea initially, but I’ve come around.
D Sutter took the Flames deeper into the playoffs than any Flames coach except for Terry Crisp. The current period of mediocrity began with D Sutter being replaced behind the bench with Jim Playfair.
@ doctor – the late great Badger Bob took us to the finals too…
Mad respect for Badger Bob from Oil Town.
That was a boneheaded decision to let Sutter go… who made that decision?
Sutter himself as GM? Anyway I hated the decision at the time and still hate it. Never understood it, though if it truly was Sutter’s decision maybe it was just a personal workload or travel thing.
Sutter learned it is hard to be the coach and the GM I’m sure. GM – Player and Coach – Player relationships can be very different and I’m sure it is hard to manage both. Once he decided he couldn’t do both, GM Is more appealing because if you become just the coach then you are stuck underneath a new GM who controls your job, not ideal
I’d be really interested in talking to AV.
Man am I ever happy I don’t have to bear witness to any more bone headed decisions by GG over and over again that were incredibly frustrating to watch.
All I know is I don’t care if the next head coach is a great guy, good person, family man of the year or whatever. I want a coach that gets the team to produce results on a consistent basis. One that gives us an opportunity as fans to watch the home team in the playoffs year after year. I know there is more to it than coaching but this team is good enough to make the playoffs and given our prospect pool should continue to get better.
What concerns me is that this team just spent 168 games trying to make Backlund and Frolik into second line scorers, and we all, including BT, have the audacity to say that the bottom 6 was a mess.
The problem was that we NEVER tried to create a second line that could score. Bennett and Janko, along with whatever plug they were given on any night, were always dismantled and sabotaged by the coaching staff on a consistent and constant basis. When did they ever try to find a linemate that could score to create a great second line. Did Tkachuk even play one minute on a line with Bennett and Janko?
Tkachuk was used on a third line all of the last 2 seasons, many just called it the 2nd line, including the coaches. The Backs line is a third line. They are role players. And the fourth line played darn good at the end of the season. The problem is not the bottom 6. It is the second line, and the lack of foresight in finding Bennett and Janko the guy that could help them fly.
I watched every game this year, from the summer on. I seem to recall one game (for whatever reason) that the Bennett – Janko – Tkachuk trio had one game with about 5 shifts together, and another game with 3 shifts together. They looked great when they were out there at the same time.
But to me, Tkachuk has graduated. He needs another line. His talents are wasted on the 3M line, even though it is one of the best shut-down lines in hockey. His hockey IQ for someone his age is off the charts. Stick him on RW on the top line. Someone had a good point about JG getting mugged in scrums that Byng initiates though. But I’m sure that Tkachuk would tone it down, as he did for the last half of the season. No matter what, he needs to be the guy tipping passes on the 1st powerplay unit.
I still remember that move he put on Crosby in overtime, like it was yesterday.
Yes! This! All of this!!
For the last 6 years on FN, I have been saying who cares about Corsi. All those stats are made up and counted by homers in the rinks. Useless stat by itself
I have also been saying for many years that Backlund is no more than a very good 3C while being browbeaten by the FN advanced stat bullies.
Well now the verdict is out.
Whenever there were posts about lines, even last summer, I always put Backs and Frolik on the third line, and often explained why. He is one of the worst 2nd line centres in the NHL. He may be the best third line centre. Roles…
Treliving’s 2 biggest mistakes have been not trading Gio 3 years ago and not cashing in on Backlund at the deadline this year.
There were two games where they played Tkachuk, Jankowski and Bennett for several shifts. Each of those shifts the game was played entirely in the opponents end of the ice with plenty of good scoring opportunities but no goals. It was quite interesting because they seemed to fit into areas of the ice and control those sections, the defense were obviously confident in the support they would get so were free to pinch.
Unfortunately without goals after a couple of shifts it was time to revert to the old way not producing goals, reminding me of the trial Ferland and Jankowski got on the power play early in the season. A couple of tries and then get Brouwer back out there because those other guys did not score.
We should expect that this is a second scoring line that a new coach will try and it would not surprise if it is a success. However there are other candidates for the third with Bennett and Jankowski, Mangiapane, Dube, Phillips and Gawdin all have shown offensive ability.
Maybe Brodie won’t need to be traded now. The next coach may realize that TJ is a RD regardless of his left handedness. TJ the round peg, has never fit in the square hole of the LD position.
yeah, changes the entire personnel conversation. Only hope they fill this vacancy ASAP.
Thats because Brodie was a flash in the pan, has nothing to do with what side he plays, not like he sets up pn the right circle to unleash that cannon he has..
Well the nerds got their analytics wizard in Gulutzan. How’d that work out? Yeah corsi was great, team blew. Let’s get someone in that knows about HOCKEY this time…let’s get back to that.
Good talk, see ya out there
I would love to see Hunter as our next coach . I know that he is unproven at the NHL level but has had a lot of success in the minors. As a player he played with his heart on his sleeve. That’s what this team needs
If he wants to move up he should probably start as an assistant. He may be happy where he is though.
Absolutely grand but they still missed Siglet…
He’s not been let go yet. They’ll likely let the next coach make that decision.
Experience as an NHL coach is a must here, as BT said. But make no mistake, they need a coach with a ton of experience, and success in getting and excelling in the playoffs. There are very few candidates out there that meet that criteria. I believe that narrows it down to 2 that are currently available, Sutter and AV.
Damage has been done to some of our young prospects, it may be irreparable. This firing came 140 games too late. The last 2 seasons have been a setback.
On that note, the coach must be someone that has a proven record of developing players. Tippett is out. His handling of Duclair and Domi is exactly what we do not need.
The hire must understand roles on a team. That points to Sutter, a role player himself. But AV also understand roles. He knew how to use guys like Kesler and Bieksa, and when and how to play the Twins, and who to put with them. AV has learned what it takes to win in the playoffs, and how to get there. Sutter has rings. Either would be a good choice.
Peters lack of success should disqualify him. Same with Willie. Neither have enough NHL experience.
I don’t like recycling. My choice would be AV at the moment, barring the emergence of a new candidate.
Sutter has quite a history here and it’s hard to judge looking from the outside what appetite the organization would have to bring him back. At this point I am the thinking that AV has to be the front runner – fresh start and no history with the club.
BT cannot screw this up and if he has been given the ok to pony up and bring in a winner he has to go big.
Absolutely grand but they still missed Siglet…could have been a clean sweep!
Totally, name one goalie who has done well under him?
Yea maybe it’s bout the kiprusoff curse it’s the sigalet curse
He hopefully will be gone soon once new coach sees how useless he is…
you have no idea anything about the man
Could be worse, as per usual the Oilers missed completely and retained everyone as per usual. More forensic audits, more it is a process speeches, more press conferences that raise more questions than they answer, more evaluation is underway. PK and PP coaches may get skidded, but they were the worst in the league, in fact broke a record with one of them. I can understand why that would take so long to make a decision.
Katz) Are Kevin, Craig & Scott still employed? CHECK
Chiarelli) Yes, why do I have to answer to this door knob, or the other two for that matter?
Katz) Because I am a brilliant businessman and I know what’s best, my son is in training to take your job.
Chiarelli) Why am I here then?
Katz) You would have to ask Bob (Bobby Nicks Burgers) Nicholson. I really don’t have a clue.
Chiarelli) Thought I answered to you?
Katz) I know, keeps everyone confused, things are great in California (Except the Bakersfield Condors). I may own that too, I will have to get back you.
Chiarelli ) Again why am I here?
Katz) Just wanted to confirm the 3 Amigos are still there. They are, so lets have another 80’S party.
Chiarelli) Ok, talk to you next year I guess?
Katz) Incorrect, you haven’t figured out your just keeping the seat warm for Gretzky? Not to worry, I employ lots of failed executives. We will find a spot for you.
Nicholson is a consultant.
He is dragging out this “evaluation” period as long as he can do he can keep collecting a paycheck.
That’s what consultants try to do. Strange that Katz has not caught onto this….
WW
Nicholson is an overrated windbag, Just another a** kissing sycophant. We have many to choose from.
Yeah, Nicholson leaves Hockey Canada and we start winning World Championships left and right…. need I say more.
I am studying for finals at Uni, this just gave me the hope I need to pass my finals. Best news in a while.
This should signal the end of the #1 Brouwer-play!
Best notification on my phone all year. Good bye and good riddance. Worst NHL coach. Take your cosi and retrieve your stick from the 13th row and don’t let the door hit you on the way out!!!
In another thread I’d predicted they would keep GG. I am here to say I was wrong.
We gleefully accept your admission. Being openly contrite is an admirable quality to have and share.
It was inevitable that BT wasn’t going to go down with the ship with GG and the rest of the coaching staff. Gulutzan was never the man for the job, but three guys did just get fired. More like a time for some sombre reflection than giddy exuberance – some of you critters seem to be enjoying this a bit too much. Tough gig being an NHL coach where he are hired to be fired. Then again I suppose none of them are working for peanuts.
You liked the idea of talking to Ruff. I do to. Curious how you feel about Daryl, or Timmy Hunter… Or, my outside-the-box candidate, Rocky Thompson?
I like Ruff. The next coach will have a ton of experience though. I was typing up some thoughts on Peters down the blog. Thinking that Bill Peters being the next Flames’ coach is almost a done deal.
Bill Peters hasn’t made the playoffs in 4 straight years with Carolina as Head Coach… Not a great choice IMO.
really? where do you get that information on almost a done deal? you and Eric Francis WhatsApp buddies?
And Sigalet? Give me a break.