Gillis for sure.
Sutter did go up and down, one season the team could score, but not keep it out of the net (especially come playoff time)...changes made, and then they couldn't score but had solid defense. Rinse/repeat. The Phaneuf trade was to add scoring to a lineup that had injury issues and were missing that extra goal a game, to get into the playoffs.
But Sutter brought complete credibility back to the organization on and off the ice after years of being the joke of the league. He was able to make deals with guys due to his reputation as a straight shooter and protecting his players. Made bold moves under the radar like Jokinen (1st round) Bouwmeester, Tanguay, etc, as well as other solid low profile moves that turned into something more (Nilson, Simon, Yelle, Kipper, Hamrlik, Bourque, tough love for Giordano). He did what he needed to try and make the playoffs each year.
The lack of playoffs success was his downfall and having a coach that didn't get him into the playoffs and past round 1. I think the owners (one of them anyways) thought the grass might be greener on the other side and got tired of the Sutter show...but said owner got hoodwinked into hiring JF full time and since reverted back to a straight shooter in Burke.
If Sutter came back as coach after Playfair as he wished to do instead of getting Keenan, I think the late 2000's Flames story turns out a bit different and the Flames are in a different spot today as well.
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