Darryl Sutter would personally be my #1 choice, but there’s a few reasons why I can see Treliving not wanting to hire him.
1. Style of Play: Doesn’t think Darryl would be a great fit for the “modern game”, which is a term I believe he’s used when he hired Gulutzan and Peters. Might not want the offensive production (and trade value) of his top players to fall the same way like they did in Sutter’s last year in LA (Kopitar only put up 52 points, then 92 the following year. Brown only 36 points, then 61. Doughty 44 points, then 60).
I disagree with this, I think the Flames’ issues are motivational and psychological and not with X’s and O’s - I think the little things he did in LA to foster that “us against the world” mentality in both their cup runs is something this team really needs. I also think Sutter is smart enough to adapt to today’s game.
2. Doesn’t want a potential repeat of the Peters situation, which was really stressful for Treliving to handle. Dan Carcillo didn’t have great things to say about Sutter after the Peters and Babcock stories broke out and hinted he had more stories.
3. Doesn’t want to risk a potential power struggle with a former GM of this team, and someone who Ownership has a strong relationship with. Seems like a reach as I don’t think Treliving seems like the kind of person to put himself above others for the sake of the team, but I’ve seen other posters speculate about this.
If I had to guess it’s 1 and 2. I don’t think being employed with Anaheim would be an issue as he’s only an advisor working from home and would have no strong reason to stop him from going anywhere else. Too bad as I think the Flames would be the only team he would come out of retirement for, as I think he announced his retirement only after the Peters hire. He knew there was unfinished business in Calgary and wanted another shot.
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