A friend of mine has a client who is friends with a person in the Flames org, who claims that Backlund in particular, despises Sutter, and most of the staff (trainers, therapists, equipment, etc) do as well.
That is consistent with him asking for a trade the previous two seasons.
Perhaps now he'll agree to a reasonable extension to stay for 3 years?
And you could also look at them being rewarded for their loyalty, rolled out a lot when the game was on the line, losing more 1 goal games than any team ever
And not getting it done
And missing the playoffs
100%, my point being, we can spin this whatever way you want, and the narrative will fit.
When are we going to stop hiring dinosaurs and start hiring proven, fresh perspectives? Boudreau is a great coach but I do think it's time we got some young blood into the coach's seat. If it means a season of struggles while the team adjusts, so be it.
This team needs to be more forward-thinking.
Bednar, Cooper, Brind'Amour, Woodcroft, Keefe...
It really feels like the best way to have success now is to have a GM, Coach, and team that grow together over time.
That seems to be what Colorado, Tampa, Carolina, Edmonton, and Toronto have all done.
Personally I have no issue with the team going with Conroy and Love and having patience as an organization for them to grow and build a team together.
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Interestingly, IF the rumors are true that Edwards brought in Sutter and went around the GM...is there a lesson learned here? If nothing else, in the form of $8M of dead money.
Perhaps a come to Jesus and further evidence to let the hockey people make the hockey decisions.
We can only hope.
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Stop with what ####? Love is a good coach who has been developing his craft in the organization
His players seem to really like playing for him as well. He helped develop Ruzicka and Duehr into NHLers, with Pelletier and Wolf looking likely to follow as soon as next season. I don't think Zary is too far off either.
If the Flames are going to have a bit of a youth movement next season, it might make sense to bring in the coach that already knows these guys well.
I saw the suggestion of Boudreau, but I don't think it would be a good move. His tenure in Vancouver was marked by inmates running the asylum and locker room factions.
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"A pessimist thinks things can't get any worse. An optimist knows they can."
I have no problem with Conroy as the GM and Love as the coach - I don't think the team needs to start from scratch.
What I DO think is that they need a greater commitment to support staff - assistant coaches, trainers, scouting, etc. Yes, they have spent to the cap every year, but I still feel that the organization has skimped in other ways. I want to see a greater commitment to a sold organization, top to bottom. And I believe that the Flame fanbase will respond positively to that.
We have a new arena coming (hopefully), we have a new GM coming, we have a new coach coming - let's commit to being an organization of excellence, and everything else will take care of itself.
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A friend of mine has a client who is friends with a person in the Flames org, who claims that Backlund in particular, despises Sutter, and most of the staff (trainers, therapists, equipment, etc) do as well.
Listening to Barn Burner right now. Seravalli is on and he just said the same
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Just trying to do my best
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Interestingly, IF the rumors are true that Edwards brought in Sutter and went around the GM...is there a lesson learned here? If nothing else, in the form of $8M of dead money.
Perhaps a come to Jesus and further evidence to let the hockey people make the hockey decisions.
We can only hope.
Well it's not like Brad was doing a bang up job with his coaching decisions. Top to bottom this organization is a mess.
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One has to assume Muller is going to be getting a look too? I mean old GMs move, but wasn't he brought in as the heir apparent to Sutter (not that I want that)?
I would be ok with: Conroy + Love or Hunter + Brunette.
Strangely I kind of want one or the other though, not some combination.
1 is the next phase of the internal planning. Its about rewarding guys who have been with the org through thick and thin and have proven success in other ways. Is it a big cultural or organizational change? Not at all, IMO. But it might be enough to roll into the next era. Maybe if you think the org culture isn't the worst, this is the best way to go. Many of the same people, just with a new attitude.
2 is a clean slate and something different. Hunter and Brunette both have sustained success elsewhere and are looking to make their mark in a big way.
This is the option if you want to go a completely different direction with the whole franchise.
It really feels like the best way to have success now is to have a GM, Coach, and team that grow together over time.
That seems to be what Colorado, Tampa, Carolina, Edmonton, and Toronto have all done.
Personally I have no issue with the team going with Conroy and Love and having patience as an organization for them to grow and build a team together.
Agreed, and was going to post something similar. I think the days of the classic coach (Sutter, Boudreau, Quennville, Babcock, etc. are coming to an end. I think we are entering a new era with guys like Cooper and Bednar. That doesn't mean being a doormat to the players, but you can't be a tyrant either - you need a coach that is tactically focused, and brings a consistent message.
Save the Corral!!
