When the Calgary Flames relieved Bob Hartley of his duties as head coach they were immediately linked to anyone and everyone on the market.
Bruce Boudreau is the name that made most sense - he was the top coach on the market and Hartley's firing coincided with Boudreau's - but, while the Flames expressed interest, they never seemed to be a serious contender for his services.
The Ottawa Senators flew Boudreau to Ottawa to meet with management and ownership. Minnesota Wild GM Chuck Fletcher flew to California to meet with Boudreau and the Wild also ponied up the most lucrative offer in terms of dollars and term.
The Flames didn't do anything to separate themselves and I think that is quite telling.
GM Brad Treliving has proven to be a calm, calculated decision maker and, while Boudreau was undoubtedly the best coach on the market, I don't think rushing to get in a bidding war is something that interested Treliving.
I think Treliving wants to be thorough in this process and take the time necessary to ensure he's 100% confident in whomever he hires. This is Treliving's first hire - Hartley was already the bench boss when Treliving was hired - and he wants to make sure he gets it right. Should he make the wrong choice and set back the Flames organization for the next few years he may not be around to hire another coach. That's not because Treliving has done a poor job managing the team - far from it - but is simply reality in a business built on winning.
With the biggest name, Boudreau, already off the market and only Anaheim also looking for a new coach there's no reason for Treliving to rush to process.
In fact, I think time is on Treliving's side. On top of the many candidates the Flames have already spoken to there's also the possibility a coach still in the playoffs (Ken Hitchcock, for example) could be let go should his team be bounced.
Treliving has made it this far because of his ability to take a step back and make smart, calculated decisions. There's no reason to get away from that now.
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