Who should replace Ryan Huska as Flames Head Coach?

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Extending a coach after an overachieving year but before the next season's games have started so he can show that he can carry over some of that success is pretty amateur GMing.

Conroy has done a lot of good for the rebuild and even some surprisingly excellent moves under the circumstances, but unless he was knowingly/willingly risking bottoming out then the timing of the re-sign was not well thought out.

I still think he's doing a better job of 'building' than Treliving did by simply not jumping on risky now-oriented trades and free agent signings to fast forward the rebuild. He's doing it right and that i applaud. But naturally, first time GMs are going to have some warts too.

I think Huska is an AHL caliber coach. But ironically he prefers his established NHLers over AHLers ready or pushing to graduate full time.

Makes no sense in a rebuild. If he's trying to save the season still, fine. But the approach had better change in the next two weeks. We're a few losses away from objectively unsalvageable.

[Locke]

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by TrentCrimmIndependent

Extending a coach after an overachieving year but before the next season's games have started so he can show that he can carry over some of that success is pretty amateur GMing.

Extending any coach before the last year of his contract is SOP for pretty nearly all GMs. It shows the players that they can't just gang up and get the coach fired because they don't like him.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by DoubleK

No opinion, just opinions on other's opinions.

Gotcha.

You brought up Boudreau. I said no thank you. It's a pretty straight-forward conversation. But apparently not for you.

[DoubleK]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

You brought up Boudreau. I said no thank you. It's a pretty straight-forward conversation. But apparently not for you.

Ok bro.

You are right.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Jay Random

Extending any coach before the last year of his contract is SOP for pretty nearly all GMs. It shows the players that they can't just gang up and get the coach fired because they don't like him.

The financial security is also important so the coach doesn't start making desperate decisions to save his own hide. If people think he is leaning too much on veterans now, it would be even worse if he thought this season could be it for him. He also only got a 2 year extension past this season, so it wasn't like they just gave him the keys with no accountability. It's the coach equivalent of a show-me deal. It's not unusual and pretty standard that the last year is insurance for the coach and teams often let them go before the last year kicks in if they feel they need to. The way I see it, Huska probably has this season and into next season before they decide if he is the long term future.

[Calgary4LIfe]

I have always thought Boudreau was overrated. I did feel sorry for the way that Vancouver treated him. However, the fans there were very vocal in wanting him to stay. He got canned and replaced by Tocchet, and I don't think anyone has complained since.


Gallant has always been replaced unceremoniously as well. I don't look at him as a good coach.

Torts is not a good coach at all any longer. The last thing I would want is for him to come in and start playing mind games with the young players - he would be last on my list.


Laviolette used to be a coach that I thought was really good. His last few stops did nothing but perhaps show that he is ready for retirement. He doesn't want to coach in Canada (according to the rumours), and I, for one, am thankful.


Huska had one great season, and one terrible start. What is the same between this season and last is that the roster stinks. He got the team to perform without being abrasive, threatening, or mind games - like Keenan and Hartley rely on. He is not the player's coach like Gulutzan was, but he isn't hard like Sutter either. I find him to be right in that middle spectrum. He isn't afraid to bench anyone.

Is he the version of Jon Cooper that I hope this organization finds, who is in his first NHL head coaching gig, and so far so good? Or is he simply a placeholder to get through this turbulent rebuild? Time will tell.


I have no idea why people are arguing against him. It is as if this is a contending roster that should be challenging for the cup, if not for a disastrous coaching hire. I am much more concerned with having a coach in place who is firm, but not a hard-ass, who can instill into them the ability to play defence at the NHL level, and who holds them accountable in becoming good pros. Hartley was like that in many ways (lots of prospects cut their teeth under Hartley, and a lot of them did well in a few organizations). I would be happy with that, but without the 'behind the scenes stuff'.


The focus of the coach should be on development. It can't be right now as there is no 'rebuild announcement' yet, but at some point this season, I expect the gears to shift.


Huska is in his 2nd season as a head coach in the NHL. Has he been that awful that he needs to be fired? I disagree with any assertion that he has been that awful. I don't think the best environment for the kids to develop in was the pond-hockey style that the Oilers used to usher in Hall and Eberle.


The best coach for 'now' is a coach who is willing to develop players. That should be the focus here shortly I imagine. Huska will show us whether he deserves another extension or not in these next couple of years. Up until this point, I don't agree that he has shown us that the Flames are better off finding another coach right now.