FlamesNation has no direct affiliation to the Calgary Flames, Calgary Sports and Entertainment, NHL, or NHLPA
Friedman: Darryl Sutter move ‘considered’ previously

Photo credit: Terrence Lee/USA Today Sports
Many within the hockey world were caught a bit off-balance when the Calgary Flames announced the hiring of Darryl Sutter (again) as head coach. Sportsnet’s Jeff Marek and Elliotte Friedman had to re-record part of their 31 Thoughts podcast, which allowed Friedman to share some nuggets about Sutter’s return to the fold.
Here’s Friedman on the change:
Well, first of all, we should let everyone know this is not an interim job. Darryl Sutter has been given a three year deal, including this season, which ties him to Brad Treliving, the general manager. They now both have the same term.I think that this is something the Flames have kind of kicked around, the return to Sutter as a coach. And the reason I think that is that in the off-season there was a gap between when they were eliminated and when Geoff Ward was officially hired. And I think that the only person that was potentially going to leap-frog Ward for that job at the time was going to be Darryl Sutter.And I think also last year, when they had to decide what to do after Bill Peters was out, I think the idea of potentially going to Sutter was there, too. So I think it’s something they’ve considered at times. They didn’t do it. And now I think Treliving has looked around and said “Alright, I can’t make a move with the team, but i have to change something because it’s not going very well.” So now he’s gone to a very demanding but very good head coach in Darryl Sutter.
The Flames were eliminated from the post-season by Dallas on Aug. 20. They officially hired Ward as full-time coach on Sept. 14.
Breaking News
- Ranking the Flames’ dark jerseys: From the classic reds to the pedestals and Blasty
- Flashback Friday: Flames defeat Red Wings in six during 2004 playoff run
- 3 Flames prospects are near the top of their leagues in scoring
- Missing their captain, the Flames battled their way to big team win over the Wild
- Beyond the Boxscore: Devin Cooley the star of the show again in big win over Minnesota

