Who should the Flames hire as the new head coach?

[IntenseFan]

Doesn't the answer depend greatly on whether you think the team is still rebuilding or not?

I like Boudreau, but I don't think he is a rebuild coach. I remain convinced that the Flames need to continue the rebuild, get a solid foundation of players and a good 2 way system in place. Boudreau has spent the last few years making the most of good teams, not building up an inferior team.

If you think last year was atypical of the Flames and they are actually as good as they were in 2014-2015, then he might be the man. Personally, I suspect very heavily that 2014-2015 was an anomaly year and we have many more seasons to go before we should be thinking win-now.

[AltaGuy]

I still hold faint hope that it is Tippett, but Boudreau is fine by me. Also, if there is a hidden gem of a coach out there (much like our GM was), I bet our GM will find him.

[btimbit]

I think the goal of the coach and players should be to win. Rebuilding is a GM's responsibility, not the coaches. Unless your interpretation of a rebuild is tanking for a few years for picks. I just don't believe in the notion of having a rebuild coach.

[Jets4Life]

Originally Posted by 1qqaaz

Not saying they should, but there's a chance they could hire Randy Carlyle. For...reasons...

But Boudreau would be my vote by a fairly large margin.

Carlyle would be an excellent choice.

[the_only_turek_fan]

John Stevens would be a good choice.

1) LA is a monster possession team.
2) He is not a first time hire.
3) Has won 2 cups as an assistant.

[1qqaaz]

On fan860, they asked Treliving if Huska had a chance of becoming the next coach. Treliving answered, "I really like Ryan Huska".

I am quite anti-Huska, as the Heat have missed the playoffs twice, most prospects have regressed offensively, and he complains about schedules/personnel. However Huska does seem like an intelligent and level-headed guy. Management really seems to like him.

Do you think teams with young cores should have veteran coaches or rookie coaches? I'm not sure which situation performs better based on precedence. Tampa Bay seems to be doing well with a newer coach, yet Eakins in Edmonton was a disaster. Edmonton is a disaster.

[OmegaV4]

Scotty Bowman

/thread

[GranteedEV]

Nate Leaman!

[IntenseFan]

Originally Posted by btimbit

I think the goal of the coach and players should be to win. Rebuilding is a GM's responsibility, not the coaches. Unless your interpretation of a rebuild is tanking for a few years for picks. I just don't believe in the notion of having a rebuild coach.

Flames lacked an identity last season. That is a GM AND coach issue.

And, for my part, I think it should be different from what others have done before. We won't ever be another Chicago Blackhawks (smart, skilled), Anaheim Ducks (big, nasty) or LA Kings (defensive, hard to play). We will just be poor imitations.

Flames had an identity in 2014-2015 (never quit, fast), but lost it.

The identity will differ depending on where we are in the rebuild.

[calumniate]

Maybe Doug Risebrough is available!

[Coach]

How is Sutter not on this list?

Sutter.

[dammage79]

Eric Francis straight up calling Bruce Boudreau the next Flames coach. Beilieves Brad hasn't spoken to Boudreau before this today but is putting all his nuts in the Boudeau basket.

[868904]

Originally Posted by 1qqaaz

On fan860, they asked Treliving if Huska had a chance of becoming the next coach. Treliving answered, "I really like Ryan Huska".

I am quite anti-Huska, as the Heat have missed the playoffs twice, most prospects have regressed offensively, and he complains about schedules/personnel. However Huska does seem like an intelligent and level-headed guy. Management really seems to like him.

Do you think teams with young cores should have veteran coaches or rookie coaches? I'm not sure which situation performs better based on precedence. Tampa Bay seems to be doing well with a newer coach, yet Eakins in Edmonton was a disaster. Edmonton is a disaster.

I don't know where I stand on Huska. I didn't like the "numbers" that the prospects put up under him, but then every player who came up to the NHL looked like they belonged.

The AHL record is terrible, but we also know that he was forced to play Hartley's system. Hartley's system has been used in the pros (NHL and AHL) for 6 seasons now (4 in the NHL and 2 in the AHL) and only 1 of those pro seasons, the team made the playoffs and had success. So basically, 1 out of 6 teams playing Hartley's system had success, and the one successful team was chastised by the analytics community as "flukey".

I think they will keep Huska in Stockton and see how he does with a new system.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by MattyC

How is Sutter not on this list?

Sutter.

Oh my gosh if we managed to get Darryl back behind the bench with this defense.... Heavens to Betsy

[getbak]

Originally Posted by MattyC

How is Sutter not on this list?

Sutter.

Because the only good one is still employed, as far as we know. I wonder if he'd even want to come back here in just a head coaching role?

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Yes, Darryl Sutter as a coach would be nice.

[Demetric]

Bruce, but I know BT and his staff will make the right choice. that BT has a pretty decent head on those shoulders.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by getbak

Because the only good one is still employed, as far as we know. I wonder if he'd even want to come back here in just a head coaching role?

D. Sutter is a free agent right now. The assumption is he'll be back with LA, but he doesn't have a contract at this point.

[ricosuave]

Not that I want him, at all, but there is some history with Burke and Ron Wilson. Just wondering.

[Ruttiger]

Orval Tessier.