The Calgary Flames have dropped the hammer after a disappointing season, firing head coach Glen Gulutzan and assistants Dave Cameron and Paul Jerrard. The team will be looking for a new coach once again, after hiring Gulutzan just two seasons ago.
The Flames were supposed to be Stanley Cup contenders this season, trading away several draft picks to acquire Travis Hamonic and Mike Smith to solidify their defense and goaltending. It seemed to have the opposite effect, as the Flames missed the playoffs entirely even while Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan put up excellent seasons. Too many nights the team was unable to control their opposition, something that will be laid at the feet of the coaching staff.
Gulutzan was hired in June of 2016 and was praised for his work with young players in the ECHL and AHL, but like his stint as head coach of the Dallas Stars it didn’t work out in Calgary. Even with an 82-68-14 record through his two seasons, a first-round sweep last season marked the beginning of the end. The Ducks walked right through Calgary, with Gulutzan’s decision to start—and then immediately pull—Brian Elliott in Game 4 coming under much criticism.
Candidates to replace Gulutzan haven’t been confirmed, but the spotlight immediately turns to Bill Peters in Carolina. Peters has been tenuously linked to Calgary over the last few weeks, and has until Friday to exercise an out clause in his current contract. If it’s not Peters, there are certainly several experienced coaches floating around the league—Willie Dejardins, Alain Vigneault and Lindy Ruff come to mind—that could be potential candidates.
This is what happens when your team underachieves and you also have 2 swearing hissy-fits during practice.
Those were the two best games they played…after those fits haha
Bill Peters has accomplished nothing in Carolina. He has had young talent, but the team continues to not take a step forward. And that is what Calgary wants in a head coach? An underachiever? I feel like they could do better. Alain Vigneault would be a better option.
Dallas Eakins
Dave Tippett would also be a good fit. He’s a good coach who wasn’t blessed with a ton of talent in Arizona. He would have plenty of talent in Calgary
The question will be…how much is the Flames willing to pay for a head coach?
Gully was making (and will still make) $800,000 a year. Flames got what they paid for. Bill Peters is making 1.6 mil and is reported to be in the ballpark of 2 mil a season. Vigneault will make 4 mil (I believe) for doing nothing. Tippett has been making 4 mil for doing nothing. I would think that it would take at least that much to lure them to the Flames. Sutter?? Probably around the 4 mil mark as well. How much is the Flames willing to pay for an experienced coach??