[News Roundup] Flames head coach search. Friedman: Huska is the leading contender

[Reggie Dunlop]

Go cheap.

[Ford Prefect]

If they hire Roy I might have to quit being a Flames fan. He’s one of my most hated players of all time. Don’t need any wife beaters with anger management issues with the Flames.

[SuperMatt18]

I think it will be Mitch Love.

Even if a big part of his success is Dustin Wolf he seems to be pretty well regarded overall, and his players talk highly of him.

I think they will promote Mitch Love to HC, try to keep Huska as an assistant for the defense, and will look externally for their offensive coach (I think they try to bring Tanguay in on a lateral move).

[speede5]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

Patrick Roy with the Remparts is not an option?

I thought we were trying to get rid of old school hamerheads.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by 1qqaaz

Didn't Frank Seravalli basically hint that this was a two horse race between Love and Brunette?

I'd be pretty happy with either of them. Love is a back to back coach of the year. Brunette has a recent Presidents Trophy and has worked with Huberdeau.

Very different coaching styles so I think it depends on how you want the team to play. Listen to Phillips talk about the series against the Firebirds and how Love's system is more of a hard forechecking defensive system whereas the Firebirds played more of a Brunette style which is more offensive and puck possession. Now maybe the Flames wanted Love to coach a system similiar to Darryl's so when a player got called up he fit more seamlessly however if you look back at his junior coaching days he was known as a defensive specialist. So really it depends on what you think fits this group best, if you want to run a system that leans more toward dump and chase and always back to help defend Love would be an excellent choice. If you want your group to be creative with the puck and the D to take more chances offensively than Brunette is your guy.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

I think it will be Mitch Love.

Even if a big part of his success is Dustin Wolf he seems to be pretty well regarded overall, and his players talk highly of him.

I think they will promote Mitch Love to HC, try to keep Huska as an assistant for the defense, and will look externally for their offensive coach (I think they try to bring Tanguay in on a lateral move).

Then they need to retool the entire roster almost because our group doesn't fit that style of play. You are basically getting the exact same system as last year without Darryl's grumpiness or experience. Huberdeau is going to be your 60 point 10.5M forward and miserable.

[sss1]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

And when it comes to Love you have to decide whether he's a great coach or is he an OK coach who had an unbelievably good goalie.

Didn't think of this until now but taking that in to consideration definitely works against Love being promoted. On the other side of the coin, someone is going to poach a young, award winning coach if you don't bump him. I wonder if Love would consider taking an Assistant position in that case.

I also wonder if they subconsciously factor in Sutter's remaining salary payout play a factor in this mess.

[FlamesAddiction]

I kind of worry about someone with little experience in head coaching, and none in the NHL, being able to handle a group of players where there seemed to be locker room issues last season. This group was able to get Darryl Sutter fired. Will they eat someone like Mitch Love alive if things don't get off to a good start in the first couple of months?

It almost seems unfair to put Mitch Love in this situation for his first NHL job.

[Sidney Crosby's Hat]

Gallant's dismissal in NY is a little bit puzzling to me as an outsider. They did have 107 points and a bounce here or there and they could have beat the Devils (or even swept them, if they'd have scored in OT in game 3). Seems like it was more about disagreements with Drury but the Rangers had a good season.

That said, I don't know if he's the best choice for the Flames due to reasons outlined in other posts in this thread.

Love is probably the front runner but you worry sometimes. AHL and NHL are different. Dallas Eakins is a very good AHL coach but terrible NHL coach. Nobody will touch Todd Nelson for some reason. Not a fan of Muller either as his track record isn't great.

Really tough one. A first-time GM probably serves himself best with a veteran head coach but the room might be wanting someone less old school.

[Major Major]

Of course Love was running and having success with Darryl's system. That's a good thing. Look at the teams still in the playoffs. I think it's a mistake to go full Brunette with the Flames. It would be fun and the players probably respond well in the regular season but they get smoked in the playoffs. Guaranteed.

[bluejays]

Hot take but I’d say entertainment should be a huge factor here in whomever they hire. The old school lockdown defensive minded first style wouldn’t attract many to the city. Gotta bring some entertainment and skill to attract future free agents.

[Sec214]

Coach will completely depend on the direction of the Franchise over the next 2-3 Years.

GG is going to get interviewed just to learn/gain insight about Huberdeau.

End of the day, Mitch Love will have every opportunity to coach the big club. Who they insulate him with will be very important. Unfortunately - the entire room needs to be turned over, So I wouldn't be surprised to see Huska/Muller involved in the interview process but no further.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

I kind of worry about someone with little experience in head coaching, and none in the NHL, being able to handle a group of players where there seemed to be locker room issues last season. This group was able to get Darryl Sutter fired. Will they eat someone like Mitch Love alive if things don't get off to a good start in the first couple of months?

It almost seems unfair to put Mitch Love in this situation for his first NHL job.

I think its fair to say Darryl Sutter got Darryl Sutter fired. Tired of the players being thrown under the bus.

Sounds like the players took their share of the blame and pointed fingers to other players but as full organization it sounds like Sutter was reamed out by everyone.

[dustygoon]

Originally Posted by Sec214

Coach will completely depend on the direction of the Franchise over the next 2-3 Years.

GG is going to get interviewed just to learn/gain insight about Huberdeau.

End of the day, Mitch Love will have every opportunity to coach the big club. Who they insulate him with will be very important. Unfortunately. The entire room needs to be turned over.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Originally Posted by Sidney Crosby's Hat

Gallant's dismissal in NY is a little bit puzzling to me as an outsider. They did have 107 points and a bounce here or there and they could have beat the Devils (or even swept them, if they'd have scored in OT in game 3). Seems like it was more about disagreements with Drury but the Rangers had a good season.

That said, I don't know if he's the best choice for the Flames due to reasons outlined in other posts in this thread.

Love is probably the front runner but you worry sometimes. AHL and NHL are different. Dallas Eakins is a very good AHL coach but terrible NHL coach. Nobody will touch Todd Nelson for some reason. Not a fan of Muller either as his track record isn't great.

Really tough one. A first-time GM probably serves himself best with a veteran head coach but the room might be wanting someone less old school.

Thats why it would be a idea if Gallant would do it to hire him as a associate coach for a first timer, insulate him.

If they have reservations about Love, I think Tanguay becomes a strong candidate. He has played under the pushover(Playfair), the nut job(Keenan) should bring some perspective on what is needed.

[GordonBlue]

Originally Posted by Major Major

Of course Love was running and having success with Darryl's system. That's a good thing. Look at the teams still in the playoffs. I think it's a mistake to go full Brunette with the Flames. It would be fun and the players probably respond well in the regular season but they get smoked in the playoffs. Guaranteed.

like the Panthers got smoked?

All the playoffs this year prove is you need a goalie to get hot at the right time, even if he wasn't your starter.
Knights and Panthers being perfect examples.

It doesn't matter how good your team or individual players are, if the goalie craps the bed.

[Monahammer]

Originally Posted by dustygoon

Gallant, not glue gun. Coached the panthers in the mid 10s, when Huberdeau was first getting into the league.

I've wanted Gallant as a candidate here in the past, but he seems to have a VERY short shelf life with clubs.

[CroFlames]

I changed my mind and I want Brunette now. I want someone with a tad more experience than Love.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Monahammer

Gallant, not glue gun. Coached the panthers in the mid 10s, when Huberdeau was first getting into the league.

I've wanted Gallant as a candidate here in the past, but he seems to have a VERY short shelf life with clubs.

He was also Huberdeau's coach in junior, where they won two QMJHL titles and a memorial cup together. Long history between those two.

Gallant with Love and Huska as assistants could end up being a path they look at too IMO.

[Flamesfan05]

Hire someone that doesn’t ask the players permission to do thing