Rumor: Sutter could be next Flames coach

June 20, 2009   ·   Derek Felix   ·   Jump to comments

Brent Sutter’s vacation back home might be short lived. According to a TSN report, the former New Jersey Devils coach could be in line to become the next Calgary Flames coach. If true, it would mean the Flames were given permission to speak to him. Sutter had a year left on his contract.

After two seasons behind the Devils’ bench in which he posted a respectable 97-56-11 record leading the club to the playoffs both years, he confirmed rumors by stepping down on June 9th citing personal reasons. Under Sutter’s guidance, New Jersey won the Atlantic Division this season despite Martin Brodeur missing 51 games. Playing a more aggressive system which benefited the dynamic line of Second Team All-Star Zach Parise, Travis Zajac and team captain Jamie Langenbrunner, the Devils surprised many by also getting inspired netminding from Scott Clemmensen. They went onto post a 51-27-4 record finishing with 106 points- good for third in the East behind Boston and Washington.

However, as has been documented in these parts by Devil blogger Hasan, when Brodeur returned, Sutter went back to a more conservative system. Following the future Hall of Famer passing Patrick Roy as the NHL’s all-time winningest goalie, New Jersey faded down the stretch and were never the same. They then lost a grueling seven-game first round series to the Hurricanes, blowing a one-goal lead in the final two minutes of Game Seven.

The disastrous conclusion probably was a tell tale sign that Sutter wouldn’t be back. A once demanding coach softened during press conferences and in this blogger’s opinion, cost his team a chance to go much further in the postseason. When he resigned, it was the right move for all parties moving forward. The Devils don’t need a coach whose heart isn’t in it and basically had to be convinced by Team President and GM Lou Lamoriello to take the job in the first place. Consecutive early playoff exits (NYR, Car) to archrivals didn’t help.

Still, one would expect more from a man who claimed to have missed his family in Alberta citing it as the lone reason for departing. He also hinted that he’d take some time off from coaching instead of possibly taking over the Calgary vacancy with older brother Darryl Sutter searching for a new coach. If it’s true that he is indeed the choice for their next coach, it speaks volumes.

Our Devil blogger would be justified in labeling Brent Sutter a lying hypocrite because he wouldn’t be totally honest. Most of the time, TSN is fairly reliable. So, I guess we should expect an official announcement pretty soon. Especially with the NHL Draft less than a week away.

Stay tuned.