CALGARY — The Calgary Flames have fired head coach Darryl Sutter after a disappointing season, failing to make the playoffs.
“On behalf of the ownership group and all Calgary Flames fans, we would like to thank Darryl for his cumulative years of service with the Calgary Flames and in the community,” said Flames President John Bean, in a press release.
A press conference was scheduled for later on Monday.
Sutter’s departure comes two weeks after general manager Brad Treliving turned down an offer for a contract extension and mutually agreed to leave the job.
Flames president of hockey operations and interim general manager Don Maloney said that all aspects of the team would be reviewed, including Sutter’s future.
“I’ve interviewed 25 players, coaches, staff, coaching staff, spoken to prominent agents who represent key players on our team, and it’s become clear to me that we need ‘a new voice to guide us into the future,’ Maloney said at a news conference.
Sutter had signed a multi-season contract extension before the start of the 2021-22 campaign. Under his guidance, the team had compiled a 50-21-11 record and won a playoff round the previous spring.
However, the Flames made some major changes over the summer. Johnny Gaudreau took advantage of full autonomy and decided to continue his career with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Matthew Tkachuk was traded to the Florida Panthers.
The Flames invested US$133 million over 15 years in signing Jonathan Huberdeau, acquired in the Tkachuk trade, and Nazem Kadri, who was an unrestricted free agent. The duo were unable to replace the offensive contribution of Gaudreau and Tkachuk and the team went 38-27-17 over the winter.
Maloney wants to give more importance to the opinion of the players of the team.
“Today’s players want their voice heard, they have a voice, and you need to listen to it. Don’t think the inmates are running the asylum, so to speak, but they have made some real observations about how we should move forward. ”
“The players were very, very frustrated with the season,” added Maloney. They really believe we had a good enough team to make the playoffs. ”
Sutter had replaced Geoff Ward during the shortened 2020-2021 season. Monday’s decision ends his second stint with the Flames.
He had replaced Greg Gilbert behind the bench for the Flames on December 28, 2002 before also inheriting general manager responsibilities at the end of the 2002-03 season. Sutter led the Flames to the Stanley Cup Finals in the spring of 2004, when the team lost in seven games to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Sutter had given up his role as head coach after the 2005–06 campaign, preferring to focus on his responsibilities as general manager. He had resigned from this position on December 28, 2010.
He went on to win the Stanley Cup twice as head coach of the Los Angeles Kings, in 2012 and 2014.
