According to Renaud Lavoie of RDS, the Flames have hired former Avs and Thrasher head coach Bob Hartley to take over for Brent Sutter.

If the team confirms, I have to admit I’m somewhat disappointed by the move. Im not sure any bench boss is going to do much for Calgary next season, but this sort of decision seems on it’s face to be a lateral move at best. Hartley won a cup with an all-star cast in Colorado, but didn’t do anything special in Atlanta and hasn’t even been in the league for 5 years.

For now, it looks a bit like Feaster hiring a buddy of his, when what the team really needs is someone with some new ideas and a more progressive view of the game.

More later.

UPDATE – Flames confirm the hire.