Calgary Flames

[freeweed]

Originally Posted by Distill3d

I see no reason Keenan should have been fired. The teams first round exit this year was based solely on late season injuries from key players, and a lack of consistent back-up goaltending. Very little, if any, of that had to do with Mike Keenan.

They canned Playfair after coaching the team to pretty much the exact same result as Keenan did, TWICE. And Keenan had a far better team to work with.

I see every reason he should have been fired, unless you're really up in arms over Playfair being removed too.

[jeffwhit]

Sorry, i didn't mean to sound so dickish in my previous post, I was ever so slightly drunk.

People on the TV keep bringing up Brent Sutter, but seeing as he's under contract for another year I don't see how this is a realistic possibility. It would be the best possible option though, but I'll believe it when I see it.

[frinkprof]

Nevermind.

[NetMapel]

Originally Posted by freeweed

This is single-handedly the most awesome thing I have ever read.

And I read a lot.

Someone with more courage than me, go post this in the Vancouver section.

Wait, what ? Is that a Winnipeger trashing the Canucks ? My only question to you is, WHERE'S YOUR JET NOW ?

Anyways, to remain on topic... I expect to see some major changes to Calgary and possibly the Canucks as well. There definitely needs to be some change to our teams because we keep choking

[Riise]

Originally Posted by frinkprof

Why not make it 4 Sutters in the organization?

Because this is not 2004.

I'm probably one of the few people who think that in order for the Flames to turn the proverbial corner, we need a new leader to provide us with 'the push' that our current leader is not capable of mustering up. Don't get me wrong, I love Sutter, think he's absolutely brilliant at his job, and I'm grateful for what he's done. However, I think he has a fatal flaw; devotion to that hard-nosed and gritty Western Canadian style of play. He has the ability and talent to get us where we need to be but he has failed to commit 100% to building a team for the new NHL. With this being said, before we discuss who should coach this team we need to talk about what type of team we need to have.

A 'Sutter-Style' team cannot last the entire season as they are too tired and banged up, which begins to show around the trade deadline. Additionally, they cannot take advantage of what the new NHL offers; openness. When they needed a goal an old school Western Canadian team would try to crash and bang the puck into the net. In today's NHL the way you get that goal is by finding the open space and using your technical skill to create a goal scoring opportunity. Grit and physical strength can only take you a part of the way today and unless the Flames place an emphasis on technical skill and make it their priority they won't go very far.

Once the Flames make this crucial adjustment, the coach and GM can overcome this season's shortcomings: poor defensive play, and lack of consistency. Although moving physical strength into the background and making technical skill the priority will largely impact their offence, they also need to make changes to their defence. If 'Sutter-Style' hockey still has a place in the new NHL, it would be in the way a team commits to strong defensive play. While I'm not saying our entire D needs to be all grinding and gritty as in today's NHL you'll need quick and agile D-men, they do need to commit to the team's defensive system and turn its cogs. In my mind, Sutter or his replacement would need to make a few personnel changes to the backline to ensure the proper balance and chemistry is present, and the coach would need to install a proper team defence system. Another thing that needs to be installed is a proper work ethic.

Just like in the past few seasons, this year the Flames lacked consistency and it caused another coach his job. Playfair got demoted because he couldn't manage the player's egos, and Iron Mike failed because he was just Mike and did not bring the Iron. This summer the GM needs to ensure that is team is not spoilt and his new ball-busting coach can control the dressing room and get consist performances from the boys.

Anyway, that's just my two cents.

[freeweed]

Riise, you're not the only one who thinks that way. The game has changed, and people need to accept that.

Witness yet another upcoming Pens/Wings final. Snoozerific, but those teams know what works these days.

[Riise]

Originally Posted by freeweed

Riise, you're not the only one who thinks that way.

Apparently some of the Flames do as well!

Originally Posted by Robyn Regehr

I think it's a very good thing for the team. I think we will become a better team with this decision made. It's just my feeling. Probably the biggest issue we're dealing with right now is philosophies. (Keenan's) a coach who had most of his success in the '80s when the strategy was so much different. I think a lot of coaches from that time, the game has sort of moved past them. I think that was holding us back as a team.

Source: Calgary Sun

Originally Posted by freeweed

The game has changed, and people need to accept that.

Tell that to the guys on CP. Like others, I use them as the gauging stick for the popular opinion in Calgary hence why I said "I'm one of the few".

[frinkprof]

Nevermind.

[freeweed]

All I know is, I'll still be there in the stands next season, regardless of personnel changes. This team is still far better overall than the Jets were.

PS: OT, but the Vipers had 2300 people at the game yesterday. A fairly enthusiastic crowd, I might add. They've scheduled all Saturday games for 5:00 this season, and all Sunday games for 1:30, so that helps avoid the "cold Calgary evening" problem. It was positively HOT through the entire game.

It's a shame with all the money flowing around Calgary that someone won't step up and do something about Foothills and McMahon; we could have some pretty spectacular facilities here, and good year-round sports activities.

[Riise]

Originally Posted by frinkprof

I think Darryl Sutter, as a GM, has started to show a willingness to adapt... I would think that he has the wherewithal to recognize trends in the game and build a successful team given the resources available to him.

Sutter has definitely taken strides and I'd call what he is doing 'experimenting'. He is trying to figure out the right balance between grit and skill but my frustration is that he keeps using formulas that place more of an emphasis on grit. To me it seems blatantly evident that technical skills needs to be the major component in the winning formula. For those familiar with English football, he's like Arsene Wegner; so damn close but is making a mountain out of a molehill.

Originally Posted by freeweed

PS: OT, but the Vipers had 2300 people at the game yesterday. A fairly enthusiastic crowd, I might add. They've scheduled all Saturday games for 5:00 this season, and all Sunday games for 1:30, so that helps avoid the "cold Calgary evening" problem. It was positively HOT through the entire game.

Interesting. When I finally win one of these $30 Million + lottos and get a footy club I'll ensure that games have a traditional 3pm kick-off. If evening games have to be played, I'd make sure they weren't competing against the Stamps.

[jeffwhit]

Originally Posted by Riise

Sutter has definitely taken strides and I'd call what he is doing 'experimenting'. He is trying to figure out the right balance between grit and skill but my frustration is that he keeps using formulas that place more of an emphasis on grit. To me it seems blatantly evident that technical skills needs to be the major component in the winning formula. For those familiar with English football, he's like Arsene Wegner; so damn close but is making a mountain out of a molehill.

Oh you had to bring Arsenal into it didn't you? Why must every team I love be a disappointment yearly?

[frinkprof]

Nevermind.

[You Need A Thneed]

Originally Posted by frinkprof

Not surprising. I wonder who the 3 coaches currently under contract elsewhere are. Likely Brent Sutter is one, but not sure about the other two.

CP Thread

From the tone of the people who listened to the interview, the headline of the above article is misleading at best.

[Distill3d]

Quinn, Renney to coach Oilers


BY JOANNE IRELAND, EDMONTONJOURNAL.COMMAY 26, 2009 3:48 PM

EDMONTON — Not only did Steve Tambellini want a head coach who had the necessary expertise to guide his revamped Edmonton Oilers through the National Hockey League, he wanted a leader who could work in a hockey-savvy market. The general manager ended up with two such hires: Pat Quinn and Tom Renney.

Quinn, with more than 1,300 regulation games and 92 playoff games on his resume, becomes the ninth head coach in franchise history, taking over for Craig MacTavish, who stepped down after the team stumbled through the 2008-09 season.

Tom Renney, after five seasons as the head coach of the New York Rangers, has been hired as associate coach, while Kelly Buchberger stays on as the lone holdover from the previous staff. Neither Charlie Huddy nor Bill Moores will remain on the staff. Video coach Brian Ross has also been let go.

“They’ve worked with star players,” Tambellini said of his new hires following Tuesday's announcement. "They’ve worked under intense media scrutiny in New York and Toronto and Vancouver. I don’t have to worry about that."

Quinn was hired first, then Renney agreed to come on board rather than pursue other head coaching opportunities.

“It spoke volumes to me about Tom Renney, who is a head coach, to accept the associate coaching role here,” continued Tambellini. “He will have lots of authority, lots of input, and is extremely excited about the chance to work with Pat Quinn.”

Renney said he felt no hesitation when it came to accepting the job.

“This was honestly a no-brainer,” said Renney.

Quinn, 66, coached his last NHL game in the 2005-06 season. After that stint as the head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs, his most recent coaching gig was as the tutor for the gold-winning Canadian team at the 2008 world junior championships.

Renney had been hired by Quinn back in 1996 when he was managing the Vancouver Canucks. Tambellini too was a part of that staff, and says both men can be motivators, both can be tacticians.

“We’re here to help this team win,” said Quinn. “We expect to be a good team at the coaching level. We think there’s talent. Perhaps it didn’t get to be a good team in the past two or three years but we’re here to hopefully make that next step.

“It’s a thrill and a joy to be able to come to the rink and I’m glad to have that opportunity again.”

[email protected]

Read the Oilers news release

© Copyright (c) The Edmonton Journal

(source)

Well than...I suppose that puts the Flames out of the running of having an elite coach (Quinn) next season. Thanks Sutter for not jumping on either of them when you had the chance. We Flames fans certainly appreciate that.

[Yume-sama]

Originally Posted by Distill3d

(source)

Well than...I suppose that puts the Flames out of the running of having an elite coach (Quinn) next season. Thanks Sutter for not jumping on either of them when you had the chance. We Flames fans certainly appreciate that.

This probably wasn't something that was just decided on yesterday by a phone call.

It was most likely in the works since MacT was fired.

[Distill3d]

Originally Posted by Yume-sama

This probably wasn't something that was just decided on yesterday by a phone call.

It was most likely in the works since MacT was fired.

I'm aware of this, but a phone call or email after Keenan got the sack to Pat Quinn's people could've helped.

[BFHeadstone]

I believe that the coaches under contract have them expire at the end of the season like the players contracts do. There was some speculation on 960 today that Craig McT may in fact be one of the three...

[Distill3d]

^everything is speculation at this point. hell, I could be the next coach of the Flames. though, I doubt that rumor would get very far.

As is, I would bank on Daryl Sutter being both coach and GM next season.

[Calgarian]

I think we need a younger coach who preaches more of a skating game than a crash and bang style. The Flames should still be a very difficult team to play against, but we should focus a little more on skill.

[freeweed]

Quinn would have been just as bad a mistake as Keenan was.