"HockeyBuzz + New Jersey Devils Season Ticket Holder"
New Jersey, NJ • United States • 28 Years Old • Male
A Perfect Storm
Posted 11:55 AM ET | Comments 5
The news of Mike Keenan’s firing in Calgary today did not affect me personally, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized how bad this is for Devils fans. Things appear to be lining up almost too perfectly for a deathblow.
Don't think Brent Sutter, currently in the midst of his yearly offseason evaluation, is going to seriously consider this Calgary job? Before you answer, consider the following:
1. Location, Location, Location.
The Sutters live in Red Deer, Alberta, almost exactly halfway between Edmonton and...yup...Calgary. If one of Brent's issues is the distance from his family, which makes more sense, traveling across the continent to New Jersey, or a quick shot down Highway 2?
2. Brotherly Love
Brent's brother Daryl is currently the Flames' GM. You don't think he'll pull a Doug Wilson and at least consider hiring his dear brother? The Sutters are of the same head, they think the same way. It's a similar bond that Sutter has to Lou Lamoriello, except for the being related part.
3. Workin' Hard, or Hardly Workin'?
Everything about the Calgary Flames makes the situation hard to ignore for Brent. Despite having an all-star goaltender, a franchise player, and a capable veteran core surrounded by young talent, perhaps Brent can push the right buttons and get this team over its apparent hump. The Flames haven't won a playoff series since the run to the Finals in 2004. While Sutter hasn't won a playoff series with the Devils either, the thought may occur in the heads of both that by combining these two snake-bitten forces, success can be found.
In my opinion, Brent Sutter is the perfect coach for the Devils, and I really hope he doesn't leave, at least until he finishes out the last year of his contract coming up this season, and I hope he stays far longer than that. But it would be foolish to look at all the variables that appear to be lining up and say that there isn’t a possibility of Sutter resigning and taking the Calgary job. Unfortunately, it's more possible than we'd like to think.
Don't think Brent Sutter, currently in the midst of his yearly offseason evaluation, is going to seriously consider this Calgary job? Before you answer, consider the following:
1. Location, Location, Location.
The Sutters live in Red Deer, Alberta, almost exactly halfway between Edmonton and...yup...Calgary. If one of Brent's issues is the distance from his family, which makes more sense, traveling across the continent to New Jersey, or a quick shot down Highway 2?
2. Brotherly Love
Brent's brother Daryl is currently the Flames' GM. You don't think he'll pull a Doug Wilson and at least consider hiring his dear brother? The Sutters are of the same head, they think the same way. It's a similar bond that Sutter has to Lou Lamoriello, except for the being related part.
3. Workin' Hard, or Hardly Workin'?
Everything about the Calgary Flames makes the situation hard to ignore for Brent. Despite having an all-star goaltender, a franchise player, and a capable veteran core surrounded by young talent, perhaps Brent can push the right buttons and get this team over its apparent hump. The Flames haven't won a playoff series since the run to the Finals in 2004. While Sutter hasn't won a playoff series with the Devils either, the thought may occur in the heads of both that by combining these two snake-bitten forces, success can be found.
In my opinion, Brent Sutter is the perfect coach for the Devils, and I really hope he doesn't leave, at least until he finishes out the last year of his contract coming up this season, and I hope he stays far longer than that. But it would be foolish to look at all the variables that appear to be lining up and say that there isn’t a possibility of Sutter resigning and taking the Calgary job. Unfortunately, it's more possible than we'd like to think.
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05 Why Hockey Is The Best Sport
15 2008-09 Predictions
21 Captaining the Captainless
27 All-Time Greatest
30 Glory Days
15 2008-09 Predictions
21 Captaining the Captainless
27 All-Time Greatest
30 Glory Days
01 Offseason 09: How to Fix the Devils
09 Brylin? We're Talking About BRYLIN??
09 Good Riddance
11 Remember This Name
15 NJD Top Five Potential Draft Selections
24 An Open Letter to the Future Coach of the New Jersey Devils
28 Reviewing the Devils Draft
09 Brylin? We're Talking About BRYLIN??
09 Good Riddance
11 Remember This Name
15 NJD Top Five Potential Draft Selections
24 An Open Letter to the Future Coach of the New Jersey Devils
28 Reviewing the Devils Draft
good take.I gotta say with all due respect to the devils and their fans I am hoping Brent resigns from new jersey and comes home to Alberta. The thought of a Sutter back at the coaching helm makes me drool.
I never got the Mike Keenan signing from the start. I think that anyone Calgary brings in will be better.
How about this? Instead od Brent leaving NJ to go to Calgary, how about we fire Lou and Darryl resigns from his post in Calgary and becomes the Devil's new GM? Sounds great to me :-D
The Sutters are a pretty Classy bunch. I dont see Brent walking way from a signed contract and leaving the Devils organization in hole. If he really feels the need to leave, he and management should part in mutual agreement. Plus some sought of compensation to the Devils from Calgary. Maybe a high draft pick or monitory compensation.
One thing is for certain. If/when Sutter leaves, I say Johnny Mac becomes our next head coach. It's been long overdue.