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.
Shocker
Absolutely grand but they still missed Siglet…
He’s not been let go yet. They’ll likely let the next coach make that decision.
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.
Well, I guess I don’t have to ask if he’s been fired anymore!
I was loving the bit, though, dude. For real. 😀
Ralph Kruger? Tippet? Bill Peters? Tim Hunter? Ruff?
Timing suggests Bill Peters to me
Is Peters really an upgrade though?
I think so. Ron Francis gave Peters absolutely nothing to work with, Peters would have a way better roster here.
Way better here? As much of a Flames fan as I am, sounds like you are wearing those home town rose colored glasses. Darling/Ward or Smith/Rittich..hmmm no brainer, advantage Carolina. Gio, Brodie, Hamilton, Hamonic, Kulak and Stone or Faulk, van Riemsdyk, Pesce, Hannifan, Slavin and Nordstrom. This one is even easier than goaltending..advantage Hurricanes. Monahan, Gaudreau, Tkchuck, Ferland, Backlund and Frolik or Aho, Terravainen, Williams, Skinner, Staal and Rask, advantage Flames. Bennet, Janko, Hathaway, Stajan, Brouwer and Verateeg or Lindholm, Ryan, McGinn, Sfempniank and Di Guisseppe, well niether bpttom 6 looks great advantage Hurricanes. The Flames roster is not that strong outside of 4 of the top 6 and 2 d.
Wouldn’t say no brainer flames on goaltending man. Darling was awful this year man. Hurricanes blue line may have a better future for sure, but rn Flames roster is better
I haven’t watched much of carolinas hockey this last year but when they played Calgary they played a very fast paced and aggressive forecheck from what i remember. Is this how most of the games went for them or was it only against Calgary they played this way?
Didn’t care how Billy Peters last season and tis season tossed players under the bus in public. That is not how it is done in the NHL these days. No way to Peters.
Yahoo! Finally, now something to look forward to over summer…
have you looked at Darling’s and Ward’s numbers this year? Darling well under .900 save %. Ward not too much better. Smith and Rittich had better combined numbers
I am studying for finals at Uni, this just gave me the hope I need to pass my finals. Best news in a while.
How could he not make this move? Hartley had a better record and he was let go.
Honestly the last 20 games the team looked like a gangrenous limb. My sense was that the players were done with him. He had to go.
If Vegas sweeps LA, will Darryl Sutter be available?
Sutter was fired from LA last season.
Humor?
Nope just exhausted lmao. Totally forgot it’s John Stevens now.
Darryl Sutter will be available regardless of the outcome of the Vegas/LA series!
Right. My bad totally forgot.
Patrick Roy please.
I’m happier about Dave Cameron being fired than anything else
Would be amazing to have the greatest goalie to ever play be our coach, although not realistic. He is waiting to coach the Habs or if and when the great Nordiques are given anpther shot (which they should get as places like Atlanta, Winnipeg, Minnesota got second chances)
Don’t you remember what happened with Roy and the Habs? He pointed to the owner and said, “I have just played my last game here”. I’m thinking that he doesn’t want to coach there either lol
I’m sorry, but Brodeur is the greatest goalie to ever play, and then it’s a tie between Roy and Hasek
He’ll probably be their next coach once they got moved to Quebec.
yeah baby…………..put that in the win column!
Regardless who they hire, they better be given a Mike Babcock kind of contract the gives them 6-8 years to make it clear to the players that the coach will not be fired anytime soon.
I really hope hunter gets a chance Or sutter
The last 2 coaches were fired early. What makes you think that the owners are willing to spend money on a long term coaching contract?
Couldn’t have happened to a more deserving guy. 😉
And the price of hair gel just went on sale due to surplus supplies.
Fire Fire Fire more people plz, all the AHL Staff right to the top to King…Then Rebuild 2.5 starts
The Stockton staff did a great job with player development this year. Take your uneducated and uniformed comments else where guy.
About time! Fired in Dallas, Vancouver and now Calgary missed the playoffs three times.
wrong not fired in Van
Ok ok so sue me not fired in Van!
And the canucks couldn’t have been happier to let him go to the Flames…
He wasn’t fired from Vancouver. He got promoted to Calgary and left, and we made the playoffs once in the two seasons he was here.
But I am darn happy we never have to see Gel boy and crew again. Good Bye Brouwer play (hopefully)!
Results based business, and the results were not there. We move on and I’m glad the Flames are doing so.
This should signal the end of the #1 Brouwer-play!
Now Tanner Glass will have to wait and see if Glenn catches on somewhere for next year to know whether he’ll play next year or not.
Let’s not forget Nicholas Grossman.
Grossmann.
He sucked so hard he needed an extra “n” .
AV will get work Glass doesn’t have to worry
Even if they had made the playoffs, I had no faith in him out-coaching the opposition’s coach (no matter who that was).
Easier than firing the guy who put an incomplete team together I guess.
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..
Rocky Thompson? Bill Peters?
The easy move has been made. Can only hope coaching was really a big part of the problem. Significant player changes will be a lot harder make.. Not there, so could never claim that I know what has been going on.
I’m not sure I’m sold on Peters, but hopefully Tre will do a thorough search before hiring what could be his last coach
Look what the last thorough search brought us. I don’t trust Tre’s judgement on this but GG had to go
Willie Desjardins is on the short list.
Flames already have an agreement in principle with Willie, according to the regulars at the Last Chance Café in rural southern Saskatchewan. Announcement coming before the end of the month as Willie is attending to some family and business matters at this time.
Christ I think a Willie hire would not be well received by the media or fans.
Willie was seen in Edmonton last week…
Last coaching search was all about taking care of a drinking buddy who was down on his luck.