What do you do with the coaching position?

[TheScorpion]

There have been a ton of coach firings this year with plenty of big names on the sideline.

- Bruce Boudreau
- Peter Laviolette
- Gerard Gallant
- Mike Babcock

The Flames have also seen a coaching change this year with Geoff Ward taking over for the much-maligned Bill Peters in November.

But Ward has no previous NHL HC history and has shown some signs of his inexperience at times this year. With other names like Darryl Sutter, Guy Boucher, Dan Bylsma, and Lindy Ruff currently without NHL head coaching duties, I think it's a reasonable question to ask whether the Flames need new blood behind the bench. Ward is an interim coach for a reason, after all.

So what do you do? Do you make a change? If so, when? And who do you pick?

[jmac98]

Make a change in the offseason. Focus on a proven coach and not an up and comer or hidden gem or whatever. Plenty of talent to choose from this go round, no excuses to get it wrong.

[JurassicTunga12]

I'd hire any of the top 3 right now if they want to come here. Why not.
If they miss the playoffs, whatever, at least the coach has an idea of his players and how they play, and the players who remain know what to expect etc. If they make the playoffs? well, excellent, and they now have some extra practice time before game 1 to get used to the system.

[Aarongavey]

Probably go with an unknown guy who shows some promise or with a guy who just needs a second chance like Jeff Blashill

[scobel]

We missed a opportunity at the all star break to make the coaching change in my opinion, there was some great coaches available and would have been an upgrade on Ward.
It has really become apparent why he his a career assistant coach as he continues to make questionable decisions in key moments of the game. He has built great relationships with the players and this has served him well being a key person between the head coach and the players, but this seems to be the extent of his ability’s.
I know it is unheard of to make a change this late in the season, but if there is a coach out there that looks to be the coach of the future this maybe the time to make the change.
Overall I thought Treliving handled the Peters situation great but I have been disappointed with the follow up as it was a great opportunity to make a change a turn it into a positive even if that change was at the all star break.

[midniteowl]

At this point in time, might as well wait till the off season. I don't think any of those coaches would be willing to come now. But if the would, I'd love to have GG.

[mile]

The time to make a change was during the All-Star break or during the 3-day break after Family Day, I doubt they will make a change from now to the end of the season but would welcome any of Gallant, Laviolette, or Sutter right now if they wanted it.

[djsFlames]

The good GG.



Do it already you bozos.

[Manhattanboy]

Damage is done, too late season is likely lost.

But start interviewing candidates NOW.

[CaptainCrunch]

Wait til the off season.


the coaches listed, its not like we can snap our fingers and hope real hard and they'll come here. They're waiting for opportunities that they can use of expansion franchises that they can choose. They'll all getting paid, they're not coming to Calgary, sorry.

[Nsd1]

I don’t let Treliving hire another coach. Retool the management office and let them retool the coaching staff. Let the new management and coach retool the roster.

[Roof-Daddy]

I'm not sure which is worse, the Flames not contacting Laviolette or the Flames contacting Laviolette and getting turned down.

One of those two things is true.

[midniteowl]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

The good GG.



Do it already you bozos.

Oh yes, pardon me, the good GG!

[OldSam]

I would wait until the off season...I think. I expect if we continue to see the coaching errors continue, those exit interviews with the players should be very interesting, and not in a good way.

I would also not trade anyone of the perceived core until an experienced coach comes in.

I was astounded when Johnny had to try and get a timeout. You dance with the ones that got you there and apparently Ward didn't think the guys who just scored and were controlling the play were "his guys."

[Fire]

Gallant would be my vote as well.

[Dion]

I expect there will be a coaching change in the off season. I just hope Tre and Connie don't eff it up.

[Willi Plett]

I would call a time out so we could take a breath, focus and have a good strategy.

Then I would immediately hire one of those top 3 coaches. Personally my favorite would be Gallant. But either of the other two also get a big green check mark.

[Joborule]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

I'm not sure which is worse, the Flames not contacting Laviolette or the Flames contacting Laviolette and getting turned down.

One of those two things is true.

The thing is though, these coaches that have been fired haven't been hired by any other organization that have relieved their coaches.

Bruce Boudreau
Peter Laviolette
Mike Babcock
Gerard Gallant

That's a list of coaches that have had success, and based on resume are prime candidates. Yet they haven't found a new team yet. For Mike Babcock, it's debatable if he's really that great of a coach. And with the allegations against him in how he treats players, may be considered a toxic add.

Only Peter DeBoer is a coach who's been fired this season, but found a new team.

These coaches likely are patiently waiting for the off season to come before deciding which team they are going to coach next. With the Seattle team in the horizon also, there's a lot of money for them to make, on top of the one they're already getting paycheques for. There's no need for them to rush when the season is now in the final stages.

Flames not getting a new coach yet I feel is a reflection of the market being unavailable currently.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Originally Posted by Nsd1

I don’t let Treliving hire another coach. Retool the management office and let them retool the coaching staff. Let the new management and coach retool the roster.

The last coach he hired led the team to 1st in the West last season and was 4th in coach of the year voting.

I don't have any problem with Treliving making the next choice. Which will happen this summer.

[zamler]

We need a coach with playoff experience and success.