The Next Flames Coach | News & Rumors

[shutout]

Was told today that Treliving has talked with Dave Lowry about the position

[Toonage]

Given St. Louis' apprehension in signing Hitch to anything longer than a year at a time I have to wonder if Muller isn't in the Stevens role there. The planned successor. But if the Flames miss on Boudreau then its more likely than not this hire waits until after the playoffs, so you never know.

[kukkudo]

Originally Posted by shutout

Was told today that Treliving has talked with Dave Lowry about the position

I hope this isn't true.

[pacde]

Originally Posted by shutout

Was told today that Treliving has talked with Dave Lowry about the position

Im a fan of Lowry

Not being in the business and not knowing much about the candidates except whatever history Ive stumbled on.

Id be really happy if they brought him in, think he has been outstanding at pretty much every other level

[Toonage]

I recall Lowry being very sour over his dismissal as part of Sutter's staff when they were all turned over. Different regime now, but I'm a bit surprised there might be mutual interest. Time heals all wounds I guess. As does a head coaching vacancy, money, etc

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by New Era

I'd still love to see the Flames grab Nate Leaman. Real good tactician and preps his team's well. Plays an up tempo system, but makes sure the defensive zone is covered first and foremost. Could be a game changer for the club.

I'm actually okay with anyone they hire as long as they fix they special teams and tighten up the defensive zone coverage. No more Hail Mary passes would be nice too!

Isn't Leeman a very defensive first coach and his teams typically play a low scoring style? I don't know too much about him but that is what I have heard.

[The Yen Man]

Flames are probably just covering all their bases and keeping an open mind when talking to all these coaches. I still have no idea what direction Treliving is going to go with the eventual hire, but I trust his judgement.

[Flames_F.T.W]

I trust in the Flames' management to do their research and pick a solid candidate. However I'm very leery of hiring a defensive oriented coach. I've become accustomed to high scoring Flames' teams the past few years and it's nice having someone like Gaudreau among the league's top scorers. The boring hockey of both Sutters is something I'm not eager to return to, especially with the exciting young players in our system.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Toonage

I recall Lowry being very sour over his dismissal as part of Sutter's staff when they were all turned over. Different regime now, but I'm a bit surprised there might be mutual interest. Time heals all wounds I guess. As does a head coaching vacancy, money, etc

Lowry wasn't outright dismissed. Like Brent his contract wasn't renewed but I'm pretty sure he was ready to move on like Brent as he got tired of the issue of key leaders not buying into the coaches.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Isn't Leeman a very defensive first coach and his teams typically play a low scoring style? I don't know too much about him but that is what I have heard.

Well, he is a defensive-oriented coach. However, I think he works with what he has as well. If you look through the teams he has coached (as a head coach anyways), you see that practically year after year the goal output increases under him as his teams got better.

I don't doubt that any coach (not named Brent Sutter) would come in and implement a system that fits the team Calgary has. Calgary is a team that is built for scoring on the rush, not a team that can cycle. They have puck-moving defencemen for the most part that generate a great deal of offence. I can't see any coach coming in and forcing the Flames to do a complete 180 on their existing systems. They will of course change the style of play, but and really tighten things up in areas, and I think that will go a long way. Should still be exciting hockey based on the personnel, I would think.

[activeStick]

Originally Posted by Toonage

I recall Lowry being very sour over his dismissal as part of Sutter's staff when they were all turned over. Different regime now, but I'm a bit surprised there might be mutual interest. Time heals all wounds I guess. As does a head coaching vacancy, money, etc

Like you said, time heals all wounds but also, as hard as it is for someone to become an NHL player, it's even harder to become an NHL coach.

I'm sure regardless how bitter or stubborn someone is, any opportunity will be strongly considered.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

Well, he is a defensive-oriented coach. However, I think he works with what he has as well. If you look through the teams he has coached (as a head coach anyways), you see that practically year after year the goal output increases under him as his teams got better.

I don't doubt that any coach (not named Brent Sutter) would come in and implement a system that fits the team Calgary has. Calgary is a team that is built for scoring on the rush, not a team that can cycle. They have puck-moving defencemen for the most part that generate a great deal of offence. I can't see any coach coming in and forcing the Flames to do a complete 180 on their existing systems. They will of course change the style of play, but and really tighten things up in areas, and I think that will go a long way. Should still be exciting hockey based on the personnel, I would think.

I know it's cool and all to crap on Brent Sutter but the guy is a very good coach and his record of winning speaks for itself. He did a fantastic job in New Jersey and in Calgary he simply ran into an issue that he had never faced before in a leadership core that wouldn't buy into his system. Despite never having support from the teams leader he still managed three straight 90+ point seasons out of that team. Bob Hartley ran into the same issue in his first season as Flames head coach which is why the team finally came to their realization that it was time to part ways with #12 rather than continually trying to build around him.

[Freeway]

Lowry spent time at the 'Dome this season well before Victoria's game in Calgary. I don't doubt that there's probably ties there - he played with Conroy and has been involved in U18/U20 coaching so he knows Pascall as well.

[oldschoolcalgary]

not sold on Leaman to be honest... doesn't seem to have an extensive track record... the NCAA championship is nice, but arguable Gilles carried them to that title.

compared to some like Hakstol for UND, he lead that team to the Frozen Four 7 times in 11 years and was National coach of the year finalist 8 years prior to getting the Philly job
not saying Leaman isn't a good coach, just not sure why people are so high on him?

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by oldschoolcalgary

not sold on Leaman to be honest... doesn't seem to have an extensive track record... the NCAA championship is nice, but arguable Gilles carried them to that title.

compared to some like Hakstol for UND, he lead that team to the Frozen Four 7 times in 11 years and was National coach of the year finalist 8 years prior to getting the Philly job
not saying Leaman isn't a good coach, just not sure why people are so high on him?

Sigh. Leaman built up two of college hockey's newest powerhouse programs.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nate_Leaman

I like Hakstol as well, but he did have benefit of coaching at one of the traditional hockey schools that drew a constant stream of talent. Big advantage to work with. Leaman has taken smaller schools without a track record of attracting talent and turned them into quality programs. Quite an accomplishment in my eyes.

[dammage79]

Leaman would be a good asst hire I think. He's done some great things that's been posted already.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by shutout

Was told today that Treliving has talked with Dave Lowry about the position

Blech. I thought his coaching performance at the World Juniors this year was one of the worst I've seen for Canada at that tournament. Thought the goalie decisions were terrible, the players all played like individuals. Doesn't give me any confidence in his abilities especially when that is with kids and he'd have to work with millionaires in the NHL.

[curves2000]

Whoever the actual coach ends up being I really hope they nail it correctly and that person stays for an actual long term contract. It seems in the NHL and sports in general these days its the same old fired/hired coaching and some other suit/executive/manager sitting at a press conference convincing fans "this" is the leader who's going to put them over the hump.

It seems like the perennial losers in sports are always changing things up for the sake of change and end up with the same piss poor results while the constant winners stay with a consistent formula . Think teams like the Detriot Red Wings, Blackhawks, New England Patriots, San Antonio Spurs, Lakers from years ago etc

With every new hire everybody always claims they are going to turn it around and they just need patience to get it right but rarely does anybody get it done. The majority of sports fans in North America see plenty of press conferences and not a lot of winning when it matters.

It's the exact same scenario in the money management business where everybody talks about "long term investing" until most get the crap scared out of them for fear they are looking complacent and change for the sake of change.

I just hope the next whiz kid we hire ends up coming as advertised because I for one am sick of hearing the same old from (insert sports "professional") talk the same game.


Rant over, sorry about long post

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

Blech. I thought his coaching performance at the World Juniors this year was one of the worst I've seen for Canada at that tournament. Thought the goalie decisions were terrible, the players all played like individuals. Doesn't give me any confidence in his abilities especially when that is with kids and he'd have to work with millionaires in the NHL.

Completely agree. Lowry did a terrible job. I'd stand clear of him unless he wanted to come in and coach in a minor league or assistant role to prove himself.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by oldschoolcalgary

not sold on Leaman to be honest... doesn't seem to have an extensive track record...

Other than leaving Union in a perfect situation to win the championship right after he left, and then taking a bottom feeder to the top.

the NCAA championship is nice, but arguable Gilles carried them to that title.

That would be a terrible argument. Gillies let in 5 goals in the first round of the tourney that year, and won. Then he let in 3 goals in the championship game, and won. The Friars also outshot Nebraska-Omaha 48-26 in a 4-1 win in the semi-final. The shots were more even vs Denver but the final score was 4-1 there too.

Also the Friars got BETTER after Gillies left, not worse.

The only reason to be wary of Leaman is that in college he is the GM and coach, which is different from being only the coach. But he's still implemented strong systems and high attention to detail, and he's developed prospects like Jankowski, Gilmour, Walman, Acciari, and Jooris.