This seemed like the only way forward. As others have mentioned, a coach with an abrupt and unrelenting style is going to have a shorter shelf-life and 2 and a half seasons with only one playoff appearance is probably as long as it was going to last.
I do wish the best for Sutter as he has been a large part of some of the best Flames memories I have. Hall of Fame Coach for sure.
Looking forward, I am curious to see which direction they will go. I was leaning towards Mitch Love, but I do wonder a bit about his experience. It might change this year, but he hasn't won a championship at any level as a head coach and has only coached 3 full seasons (two were Covid shortened). Bednar and Cooper both had more experience as Head Coach and both won championships (Cooper coached 4 championship [NAHLx2, USHL, AHL] teams in the 6 seasons prior to being hired in Tampa Bay).
I am wary that a veteran team which was able to influence the organization to oust a coach will be a very challenging environment for a first time NHL coach to walk into, especially one who did not play in the NHL.
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