On the Calgary Flames …
Greg Wyshynski of ESPN: A quick look at some coaching options for the Flames: Dave Tippett, Bill Peters, Ryan Huska, Alain Vigneault, and Darryl Sutter.
Eric Duhatschuk of The Athletic: Four potential coaching candidates for the Flames.
Bill Peters – Would be a top candidate if he decides to opt out of his contract with the Carolina Hurricanes. GM Brad Treliving was the co-GM at the 2016 World Hockey Championships and Peters was the coach.
Barry Trotz – If the Washington Capitals are eliminated in the first round, Trotz could be let go. The New York Rangers and Dallas Stars are looking for a head coach as well, so if available, there could be some competition for him.
Dave Tippett – Tippett and Treliving were together in Arizona from 2009 to 2014. Tippett could also be an option for the Hurricanes if Peters opts out.
Alain Vigneault – He was let go by the Rangers after they finished last in the Metro division. Has 648 regular season wins in 1,216 games, and has a 68-71 playoff record.
Chris Nichols of FanRag Sports: Elliotte Friedman was on Sportsnet 650 yesterday after the Flames fired Glen Gulutzan and their two assistant coaches. GM Brad Treliving likely didn’t believe their season was entirely Gulutzan’s fault but may have realized that it was one of the moves he needed to make.
“Brad Treliving won a gold medal at the world championships with Bill Peters. And I know there’s a lot of talk about Darryl Sutter and I think Darryl Sutter is a favorite of ownership. I think there potentially are some other candidates.”
Friedman believes that Peters would be the top candidate if he opts out.
“Peters is intense. Peters is blunt. He’s a bit of Babcock light. He’s the kind of guy who one of his biggest challenges in a Canadian market will be you know what, you can’t always give the most blunt answer because it becomes a headline or something that gets used on your team. That’s one of the things that he’ll have to be careful of if he does get that job.”
