Darryl Sutter, head coach of the Calgary Flames, attends the post-game press conference after the 3-1 over the San Jose Sharks at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, April 12, 2023. /CFP
The Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League (NHL) fired their head coach Darryl Sutter, the team announced on Monday.
"In a business measured solely on wins and championship hustle, falling short of that goal often leads to change. Here, when conducting his analysis of the season that was, President of Hockey Ops and Interim GM Don Maloney soon realized that a change in leadership was required. So, the team announced Monday that head coach Darryl Sutter has relived of his duties," the Flames said in a statement.
The team finished 2022-23 season with 38 wins, 27 losses and 17 overtime losses, missing the playoffs for the second time under Sutter since he took over in March 2021. This was his second tenure with the Flames. The first one began when he was appointed in December 2002 until he stepped down to focus on the position of their general manager in July 2006. Sutter did better in his first tenure as the team only missed the playoffs once in those three seasons and reached the Stanley Cup Finals in 2004.
Players of the Calgary Flames look on after the 3-1 win over the San Jose Sharks at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, April 12, 2023. /CFP
"I think in today's world, he's a firm coach, a hard coach, a demanding coach – (and) there's a shelf life to that type of coaching," Maloney said in the statement. "Looking at the league today and tenure of coaches, you realize that after two, three, four years ... it's very rare that that after that time period, generally – unless you have winning – changes are made. I do feel that this is the best way for us to proceed as a club and it's an exciting time, because we have a good team and good players."
The "good players" in Maloney's words don't include two 100-point forwards, Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk. Gaudreau left as a free agent for the Columbus Blue Jackets. Tkachuk was traded to the Florida Panthers for forward Jonathan Huberdeau and defenseman MacKenzie Weegar. Moreover, the Flames also free agent Nazem Kadri who helped the Colorado Avalanche win the Stanley Cup last season.
The Flames made it to the playoffs last season and lost to the Edmonton Oilers in the Western Conference second round.