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Calgary Flames: On The Coaching Search, Puck Possession & More

May 5, 2016, 12:26 PM ET [64 Comments]
Todd Cordell
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Since the Calgary Flames parted ways with Bob Hartley there has been no shortage of speculation as to who will be the team's next head coach.

From Bruce Boudreau and Kevin Dineen to Randy Carlyle and Todd Richards it seems anyone and everyone available on the coaching market has been linked to the team.

There are a lot of moving parts here but I have some thoughts:

1) I've said this 100 times already but Bruce Boudreau is far and away the best candidate on the market. His remarkable streak of eight consecutive division titles (in full seasons) speaks for itself, as does his playoff winning percentage of better than .500.

Boudreau's teams have historically been excellent in possession and that's an area the Flames certainly need to improve in if they want to become true contenders.

If Boudreau is willing to take the job in Calgary the Flames should pay him whatever it takes.

2) A few people have linked Carlyle to the Flames but I really don't see that happening. As much as anything I think a possible interview is Brian Burke doing an old friend a favor because, after all, it can't hurt to talk to the guy and see if his philosophies have changed since being let go in Toronto.

If he's still the same demanding coach that is hard on his players and focuses on dump and chase and physicality more than possession I simply can't see him getting a job in Calgary. They didn't let Bob Hartley go so they could re-hire Bob Hartley.

3) Whether it be Boudreau or someone else I think the Flames' next coach will be an open-minded forward thinking person that puts a premium on speed, skill, and possessing the puck.

Brad Treliving made some comments during his recent press conference about him and Harltey having differing philosophies and I think that is what he was referring to.

Even Burke, who is as old school as they come, seems to think it's time to put a premium on possession.




4) Another reason I think the Flames want to go in a different direction: they want their skill players playing.




Obviously management doesn't want the players to feel entitled or be dogging it on the ice but it's clear they want their difference makers out there even if they don't run people through the boards every time they touch the ice.

The player I think Burke was referring to the most in that comment was Dougie Hamilton. From the word go Hartley didn't seem to like him, likely because he is big and not overly physical, and Hamilton's usage reflected that.

At one point Hamilton, who by all measurements is an excellent top-4 defenseman, played below 20 minutes in 13 consecutive games. A few weeks later there was a stretch where Hamilton played less than 20 minutes 13 times in 14 games while guys like Deryk Engelland logged more ice.

The Flames don't seem interested in a coach that overplays gritty, hard-working guys and underplays the 'soft' skill guys. I think their next hiring will reflect that.

Recent posts:

Flames exploring all options in coaching search

Flames fire Bob Hartley

Why James Reimer might be the best option for Calgary

Draft lottery not too kind to Calgary Flames

It's time to cut ties with Lance Bouma

Flames need to proceed with caution in Colborne contract talks
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