[Rumour] Mitch Love getting “plenty” of NHL interest

[Paulie Walnuts]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

He is also only 38 years old. He'd be the youngest HC in the NHL by 4 years (Keefe at 42), with Woodcroft and DJ Smith the next youngest at 46, followed by Andre Tourigny at 48. Every other coach is older than 50.

These are their current ages. Just for context Darryl was head coach of Chicago at 34 years old.

Keefe was named head coach at 39. DJ Smith would have been 42 when he started as head coach.

So 38 isn't too young at all to start off as a head coach.

[DazzlinDino]

Originally Posted by Owen15

I just feel like half measures are the hallmark of this team for a long time.

...like baking and sheltering prospects. Wish we would give them the reins and let them grow.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Wranglers eliminated from playoffs early: Love as Flames coach.

Wranglers in finals/win Calder Cup: Love will kick a few tires around the league first.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by topfiverecords

You have to think about equality when you're addressing age concerns.

I don't really have concerns about his age at all. I was just pointing out that isn't a guy who has been biding his time for too long or passed over before. Some posts seem to be implying that he has been stewing for a while.

[ForeverFlameFan]

You’ve got to get him as HC. Time for an internal hire for once. Let him develop a relationship with Huberdeau/Kadri/Weegar, and the perfect coach to utilize the new young guys we have in the system. It’s a no brainer at this point.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by mile

https://twitter.com/user/status/1658987009799778306

Ok, anything Pat Steinberg says should be taken with a very large supersize grain of salt. Nobody is worse for being bias for his buds than Steinberg, at least he admits it. Can you imagine if Steinberg inherited enough cash to buy the Flames?

Owner: Pat Steinberg
GM: Craig Conroy
Assistant GM's: Frank Seravalli, Eric Francis
Head coach: Mitch Love
Assistant coaches: Wes Gilbertson, Ryan Pike, and Aaron Vickers.

[Mass_nerder]

Originally Posted by Burning Beard

If the Flames hire him, how long until this board turns on him? I give it 2 months Hahaha.

As long as the players don't turn on him that quickly.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Ok, anything Pat Steinberg says should be taken with a very large supersize grain of salt. Nobody is worse for being bias for his buds than Steinberg, at least he admits it. Can you imagine if Steinberg inherited enough cash to buy the Flames?

Owner: Pat Steinberg
GM: Craig Conroy
Assistant GM's: Frank Seravalli, Eric Francis
Head coach: Mitch Love
Assistant coaches: Wes Gilbertson, Ryan Pike, and Aaron Vickers.

Not sure if you listened to the podcast, but I did last night as I was really interested in what Wes put together but Pat was a big supporter of Huska.

He only came around to it towards the end after the conversation with Wes the whole time.

I don't feel like he was pushing an agenda.

[activeStick]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

I think they'd be foolish not to give him a shot. Have to let him have two years though...which I'm sure they will given that's how many years they're paying Sutter.

Kinda works out, doesn't it? Nobody likes to just waste money and when you're paying a dude $8M+ to not coach, it'd be ideal if the replacement were making as little as possible, which is where Love fits the bill. But, whereas most of the time, you'll get bad results with most lower-salaried coaches, Love not having NHL experience, yet potentially being a hidden gem, works out quite nicely for Edwards and the owners.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Paulie Walnuts

Not sure if you listened to the podcast, but I did last night as I was really interested in what Wes put together but Pat was a big supporter of Huska.

He only came around to it towards the end after the conversation with Wes the whole time.

I don't feel like he was pushing an agenda.

Steinberg is definitely pushing Mitch Love as HC. If ML doesn't get HC his next choice would be Huska because they have a long history of chatting on his show and that is the #1 qualification for any Flames job in the eyes of Pat Steinberg.

[DazzlinDino]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

You’ve got to get him as HC. Time for an internal hire for once. Let him develop a relationship with Huberdeau/Kadri/Weegar, and the perfect coach to utilize the new young guys we have in the system. It’s a no brainer at this point.

I could see him and Conroy having a good working relationship. You don't want 2 guys that butt heads but that can strategically work together. If it is Conroy and a recycled coach your likely going to have 2 guys with a different working dynamics. I would prefer a tandem that collectively wants to fix the little things, like the pp or addressing goaltending issues. More emphasis on whats working, winning and getting us to the playoffs. No more experiments or fitting square pegs in round holes, or playing guys that are not putting in the effort at the expense of the team.

I think Love and Conroy would be a good choice.

[Mass_nerder]

As a fellow bald 38 year old, I hope he gets the job.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Paulie Walnuts

These are their current ages. Just for context Darryl was head coach of Chicago at 34 years old.

Keefe was named head coach at 39. DJ Smith would have been 42 when he started as head coach.

So 38 isn't too young at all to start off as a head coach.

Thirty-eight isn't too young, but definitely ahead of the curve for most coaches. It's really more about experience and accomplishments, which do not necessarily come with age, but are often related to it.

Love has been rising up the ranks. Three years of head coaching in the WHL, plus 2 years in the AHL. Not a mountain of experience, but did get good results every year and may win a championship this year. Compare that to Keefe who was only 39 when he was hired. He had 2 years in junior B, 3 years in the OHL, and 4+ years in the AHL for almost 10 years of head coaching experience at a similar age. All of his AHL years were marked by decent playoff runs and a championship.

I think Love is a high reward, but also a high risk choice. I guess my main concern is that motivating junior and AHL players is probably a lot different than motivating millionaire NHLers. Junior and AHL players are pretty self motivated because they are trying to make it still.

I can't say that I have watched a lot of Heat or Wranglers games, so I won't claim to know how intense he is or if he can motivate NHL players, that part if a mystery box to me. His post-game interviews seem really laid back, but I don't know if that is him in general, or just a media persona. I just think back to Playfair, who was a young coach that was starting to get interest around the league when the Flames promoted him, but I think his inexperience eventually led to his downfall. The players just didn't take him seriously. Different times and different players, but once bitten I guess.

[DazzlinDino]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

Thirty-eight isn't too young, but definitely ahead of the curve for most coaches. It's really more about experience and accomplishments, which do not necessarily come with age, but are often related to it.

Love has been rising up the ranks. Three years of head coaching in the WHL, plus 2 years in the AHL. Not a mountain of experience, but did get good results every year and may win a championship this year. Compare that to Keefe who was only 39 when he was hired. He had 2 years in junior B, 3 years in the OHL, and 4+ years in the AHL for almost 10 years of head coaching experience at a similar age. All of his AHL years were marked by decent playoff runs and a championship.

I think Love is a high reward, but also a high risk choice. I guess my main concern is that motivating junior and AHL players is probably a lot different than motivating millionaire NHLers. Junior and AHL players are pretty self motivated because they are trying to make it still.

I can't say that I have watched a lot of Heat or Wranglers games, so I won't claim to know how intense he is or if he can motivate NHL players, that part if a mystery box to me. His post-game interviews seem really laid back, but I don't know if that is him in general, or just a media persona. I just think back to Playfair, who was a young coach that was starting to get interest around the league when the Flames promoted him, but I think his inexperience eventually led to his downfall. The players just didn't take him seriously. Different times and different players, but once bitten I guess.

What about Conroy, I bet he wouldn't tolerate vets who didn’t tow the line?

Between those 2 I think they might be able to get the most out of both worlds. Would be nice if we didn't have young guys being sheltered but actually pushing the vets for ice time as it should be.

I think under Love those young guys will have more confidence and will want to go to the wall for him like they are now.

[activeStick]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

I just think back to Playfair, who was a young coach that was starting to get interest around the league when the Flames promoted him, but I think his inexperience eventually led to his downfall. The players just didn't take him seriously. Different times and different players, but once bitten I guess.

This piece is interesting for me. Personally, I turned down my boss' nomination for promotion before because I didn't feel I was ready for the pressure at that level and it served me well for when I actually did get promoted. Getting that more senior role with the higher pay doesn't always end well when the person may not be actually ready despite all the signs seemingly being readily apparent.

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

I don't really have concerns about his age at all. I was just pointing out that isn't a guy who has been biding his time for too long or passed over before. Some posts seem to be implying that he has been stewing for a while.

Oh I know, I was making humour relating to the GM discussion in the other thread.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Mass_nerder

As long as the players don't turn on him that quickly.

I imagine these players will tune him out in the second year.

[Ped]

I could totally see the Flames going with an experienced retread as head coach and making Love an assistant with the aim to groom him for the top job eventually.

[dissentowner]

One thing I will say that I definitely like about Mitch Love, he looks like a villain from a hero movie. Batman vs Mitch Love!

[MrMike]

Whoever the next GM is pretty much gets a “free coach” try with Love.
If Love fails it’s almost like he “inherited” the guy and gets to go out and get his first try at picking a coach and if Love succeeds he looks like a genius.