[News Roundup] Flames head coach search. Friedman: Huska is the leading contender

[FlamesAddiction]

Based on the complaints about Gallant in Vegas and New York, I really don't think he is the right coach for the team. Particularly last season where he was criticized for playing Kreider down the line-up and Laf on his off wing. That, and both both times he was let go, stubbornness to change things that weren't working was alleged to have been why he was dismissed.

We just went through that sort of thing. Even if Gallant isn't as grumpy as Sutter, it just sounds like a terrible idea.

I will say this about Gallant though, his teams really do seem to spread scoring through the lines. That's not a bad thing and shows that he probably has a good feel for chemistry, but getting a stubborn coach that butted heads with the GM in his last few gigs probably isn't a great choice for a rookie GM to bring on.

[Goriders]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

Based on the complaints about Gallant in Vegas and New York, I really don't think he is the right coach for the team. Particularly last season where he was criticized for playing Kreider down the line-up and Laf on his off wing. That, and both both times he was let go, stubbornness to change things that weren't working was alleged to have been why he was dismissed.

We just went through that sort of thing. Even if Gallant isn't as grumpy as Sutter, it just sounds like a terrible idea.

I will say this about Gallant though, his teams really do seem to spread scoring through the lines. That's not a bad thing and shows that he probably has a good feel for chemistry, but getting a stubborn coach that butted heads with the GM in his last few gigs probably isn't a great choice for a rookie GM to bring on.

His teams all win too. Not sure if that still matters these days?

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Goriders

His teams all win too. Not sure if that still matters these days?

Based on the last few times he was fired, I don't think it is the only thing that matters, that is for sure. When you have a coach that wins a lot, but still gets fired, that should be a huge red flag.

[Snuffleupagus]

Originally Posted by Poe969

Or Tanguay...

Don't worry, he's in the mix

[sureLoss]

On the 32 thoughts podcast Marek reporting that the Flames have interviewed Marc Savard.

[Royle9]

I'd like an offensive minded coach whos open to letting our skilled players use their skills on the ice.

We need a lethal PP, this teams PP has been too poor for far too long.

[Saqe]

Gallant was really good in Florida and Las vegas and both jobs he lost not because of on ice performance but clashing with the management. I'm not sure about his x's and o's but he had guys playing hard at least.

[Flames1217]

Originally Posted by Snuffleupagus

Don't worry, he's in the mix

Hopefully as an associate coach or skills coach.

I'd rather have someone with some head coaching experience prior to letting them start here as the head coach.

Love Tangs and think that he has a great hockey mind, his hockey IQ was off the charts when he played but I am not sure how I feel about him being a head coach right away.

[Bingo]

Good article on Huska this morning ...

https://calgarysun.com/sports/analyz...ext-head-coach

“I think the worst thing you can do for a younger player is have them leaving the rink really not knowing what’s expected of them. You always want to have the player feel good about themselves, you want to leave them in a situation where they have lots of confidence, but they have to be held accountable. And I think over the years, you really do learn that with the younger guys. You need to have lots of good conversations with them about what you’re expecting out of them, where you see them and how you’re going to help them get there. And when they’re not doing what you need them to do, you have to make sure they’re aware of that. But you have to do it in the right way and part of that is building relationships.

“Rasmus Andersson and I, the first year in Stockton (of the AHL) when he was there, we butted heads a fair bit. Now, years down the road, I think because of the communication that we did have, we have a really good relationship where I can go to him and I can challenge him if I don’t think he’s playing well enough. And he knows it’s not coming from a position where I don’t like him. He knows that I have his best interests in mind when I’m giving him feedback. So the building of the relationship is really important because that will allow you to push them and challenge them in a way that they know you’re looking out for them.”

If the team associates him with Sutter he's not getting the job. If he was the ray of sunshine it probably works well as he seems to have the communication side of it down (plus the PK success)

[Erick Estrada]

Nothing against him but I would rather he becomes the head coach of the Leafs. I just don't see the success in the AHL and I think the Flames defense played worse than the sum of its parts as they were plagued by mental lapses.

[1_Flames_Fan]

My vote is still for Love. Even if he doesn't get the gig I think you have to make him an assistant/associate at least.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Nothing against him but I would rather he becomes the head coach of the Leafs. I just don't see the success in the AHL and I think the Flames defense played worse than the sum of its parts as they were plagued by mental lapses.

Yeah I get serious Jim Playfair and Glen Gulutzan vibes from him. Nothing wrong with that but we have seen it just doesn't work here.

We need a coach who can create relationships and communicate with the players but also have the authority to lay in to them if we are going to give them offensive freedom if the details and defensive end of the ice is not taken care of. Once you give them the leash you need to be able to pull back as well, if you can't do that its pretty much over.

Same thing with Gallant seems like a nice guy and coach, but if he is clashing with management within years well we just went through that do we really need that type of atmosphere again. Especially if the issue from management in New York was on player usage.

Also why I think Brunette may not have been the best choice either, we can't hire the player buddies to come in and coach.

Marc Savard is a intriguing name, I wonder if Tanguay can't make a lateral move due to his contract so they are going in a different direction.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Having Savard come down on a player for dogging it in practice would be bring it full circle.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Paulie Walnuts

Yeah I get serious Jim Playfair and Glen Gulutzan vibes from him. Nothing wrong with that but we have seen it just doesn't work here.

We need a coach who can create relationships and communicate with the players but also have the authority to lay in to them if we are going to give them offensive freedom if the details and defensive end of the ice is not taken care of. Once you give them the leash you need to be able to pull back as well, if you can't do that its pretty much over.

Same thing with Gallant seems like a nice guy and coach, but if he is clashing with management within years well we just went through that do we really need that type of atmosphere again. Especially if the issue from management in New York was on player usage.

Also why I think Brunette may not have been the best choice either, we can't hire the player buddies to come in and coach.

Marc Savard is a intriguing name, I wonder if Tanguay can't make a lateral move due to his contract so they are going in a different direction.

You have knowledge of his inability to do the bolded above?

[bluejays]

Loved Savard when he was a player. But is there a more aggregating person to listen to? Cliche machine. I’ll take anyone but Marc Savard, from that list.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Originally Posted by Bingo

You have knowledge of his inability to do the bolded above?

I didn't say that.

I am sure he would be a good coach probably assistant. I just said I get vibes of Glen and Jim.

I wasn't trashing Huska.

That was just my description of what I think we need.

[ben voyonsdonc]

I’m warming up to Huska as a choice especially in comparison to a guy like Gallant.

- First choice would be Love as HC and Tanguay as Associate. If somehow they could keep Huska in the fold for experience and continuity that would be a big win.
- Second choice would be Boudreau as HC and Love as Associate.
- Third choice would be Huska as HC and Love as Associate.
- Fourth choice would be Muller as HC and Love as Associate.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

I suspect even Hartley was hired cheap. he was desperate for a job.

IIRC, Hartley didn't come cheap. I vaguely remember him being in the top 1/3rd of the league in salary, somewhere between 2.5 and 3 million per sesaon? I spent 5 minutes searching without result (only salary I found came from an archaic site that ended with his salary from Colorado). I also don't think he was desperate, as there were a couple of other teams interested. Montreal called Hartley that same off-season:
https://globalnews.ca/news/251154/bo...l-canadiens-2/


As for the Gallant talk - I wouldn't necessarily say that he isn't good with young kids. He was the first head coach for Vegas, and you can't argue with Karlsson (24), Marchessault (26), Tuch (21 - rookie season), Theodore (22), all 'taking off' under him. Then you look at Kakko and Lafrenierre, and the opposite argument is made. At any rate, I don't think that Conroy would seriously consider Gallant, especially considering that it was not only the players, but the staff around him that found Sutter unbearable, and Gallant seemingly has a similar reputation. I can't imagine Conroy would replace one problem for another (potentially at least). I would bet the hire is a more 'modern' coach who is also a player's coach. If Conroy is thinking about bringing in another 'hard coach', just bring back Sutter, throw him in a harness and lower him from the rafters on Game 1 of the season to cheers and jeers. Or bring back Hartley who at least works well with the staff. For all the flack Hartley got, he is still a coach that has won a title at every single level that he has ever coached in. I wish his demeanour was more laid-back, as I can only imagine what 'could have been' if he spent another season here in Calgary coaching Bennett, rather than Gulutzan who didn't seem to have the patience. Maybe the entire Bennett story would have turned out different, and Tkachuk would still be a Flame too! (yeah, right - and anyway, Hartley wouldn't ever be a consideration I would say, especially after so many players were 'grumpy' with Sutter and probably need a 'break' from a hard-ass).



If I was a betting man, I would put money on it being one of Love, Tanguay or Savard. Huska was considered a great 'up and comer', and even Sutter spoke about how he wanted Huska in Anaheim from what I remember. Muller was being groomed to eventually replace Sutter, but either with firsthand knowledge of him or simply with a change in the GM position, perhaps that's not the plan any longer.



i would bet on "someone I have never heard about" over Gallant. With my betting history.. it's Gallant, and I will be shocked.



As an aside, I am curious to know what kind of a coach Tanguay becomes. One thing that I do remember is that before Hartley was hired, it was Tanguay that wanted Hartley hired, saying something like: "I had him in Colorado, and I found him very tough. However, when I look back, I think he really helped me more than any other coach, and I really appreciate it now." or something similar. He apparently kept in touch with Hartley regularly, event though Hartley was particularly hard on Tanguay in Colorado. I wonder if Tanguay would try to mould himself around Hartley in a way. Roy was very tough, and he thought the same way as Hartley did and would frequently speak with Hartley as well.



Tanguay (and Savard, actually) is the most intriguing name on the list for me at the moment. A line of Tanguay - Conroy - Iginla (next season) would probably be the best line in management right now (especially factoring age).

[NewFan]

Hope they find a coach with talent to implement best system that suites our players and who can maximize the players skills and talent.
For me, older or experienced coaches usually comes with his philosophy and system and tries to fit players into it.
I'm not sure how much Wolf's MVP seasons impacted Love's success. I hope Love stays with Flames as assistant coach and someone else get HC.

[CliffFletcher]

Yeah, Tanguay checks a lot of boxes.

* Young and forward-thinking.
* Offense-minded Xs and Os coach.
* French-Canadian could help build bridges with Huberdeau.
* NHL coaching experience (even if only as an assistant).
* Trust and relationship with Conroy.
* Respected, long-time NHL player (this can be important to today’s players).