[Erick Estrada]

I guess my main issue with the entire process was that Treliving says missing the playoffs isn't good enough and they expect to make the playoffs. A coach at that time is available that has a top 5 all-time winning percentage and if there's any coach out there that is nearly guaranteed to get you into the playoffs every season it's him and not even a phone call. Brad knows better? Hiring Boudreau would be too easy and he wants to do it his way? He doesn't want a coach that commands respect and won't be easily manipulated? I simply don't understand why he couldn't have at least called the guy and chatted as he may have been surprised how much he fits the team's vision.

He conducts this extensive search to unearth this coach that's going to be tasked with improving the teams special teams and puck possession while taking this team to the playoffs next season and building a continual contender. I guess you could say he was looking for the next Bruce Boudreau despite the fact that Bruce was right there for hire. Instead he brings in a guy that wasn't on any team's radar, who's only previous NHL head coach experience was a failure. At least with Ottawa they can say Boucher had some success making the playoffs and winning a few playoff series.

What this essentially boils down to is that this big search and expected improvement over Bob Hartley boils down to a guy that is basically a coin flip. Heads he's the guy Treliving thinks he is and we never look back. Tails and he's the guy that wasn't a very good coach in Dallas and the endless cycle of Flames never having a long term head coach continues and Treliving will have to hope he gets the opportunity to make amends for a bad hire. Of all the head coach hirings this offseason I think even the most optimistic Flames fan has to agree that the Flames hire is the one that's the biggest question mark as Carlyle will probably have a good season with the Ducks, the Wild will challenge for their division title, and the Senators will improve and be in the playoff mix. The Flames? Last season was abysmal so I do expect some improvement for sure but how much is a huge question mark at this time as Gulutzan may have sold Treliving but his biggest challenge will be selling himself to the locker room and getting them to buy into a more responsible team game. I think he may be able to do this but that's just me being optimistic because he doesn't have a track record to fall back on.

Time will tell but officially the clock is now ticking on this regime as this team in its current state can ill afford any major setbacks.