Quote:
Originally Posted by TOfan
Let’s also not lose sight that Sutter had retired. He, and his wife and his son,were probably happy living his life on the farm. He had some work with the Ducks, but probably safe to say his commitment level was far less than that of an NHL coach. Sutter was probably pretty comfortable. So, when the Flames approached him, he probably did want to take some time to mull it over with his family and ask himself if that is what he really wanted to do. Did he really want to come out of retirement and spend X many days on the road and X many 12-16 hour days in the office/on the ice. Did he want to do it?
Fast forward teo-three months and we’re in a global pandemic. Probably another reason why he didn’t take the job during the following offseason. The Flames, not knowing what next year looks like, were probably okay to go back to Ward as plan B. He did a decent job to that point, he would be cheap and on a two year deal. Simply put, he was hired to be fired.
Treliving knew it, the owners knew it, and Ward himself probably knew it. Short of knocking it out of the park, the Flames would be moving on in short order. They were just waiting for Sutter’s commitment. He was plan A all along.
|
Ding ding ding!!
Sutter was persued before Ward was hired full time, of that there is no doubt.
Think back a year and you can see why it wasn't going to happen. IMO.
Pandemic was gearing up for a major wave at a time that vaccines were not yet on the horizon.
Sutter had retired to the farm to live with wife Wanda and son/best buddy Chris. With Chris suffering from Downs syndrome and with Covid being fatal for many with that particular genetic disorder, i have zero doubt that a hard bubble was created to protect all of them. No way was he going to risk contracting and passing on the virus to them.
Fast forward to 6 months later and vaccines are already being distributed to the most vulnerable and those in Daryls age group and the circumstances have changed completely. Sutter let's them know he is now available, the team is a floundering mess on the ice, and boom.....he is named coach again.
No conspiracy theory necessary. Just a complete change of the situation is the simplest explanation.