Flames fire Gulutzan, coaching staff
CALGARY — Glen Gulutzan bore the brunt of the Calgary Flames’ shortcomings this season with his dismissal Tuesday.
With a year remaining on his contract as head coach, Gulutzan was sacked along with assistants Dave Cameron and Paul Jerrard less than two years after they were hired.
A weak home record, a wretched power play and a late-season swan dive contributed to Calgary finishing out of the playoffs with a 37-35-10 record.
“Accountability lies with all of us,” Flames general manager Brad Treliving said at a hastily-called news conference at Scotiabank Saddledome. “As a manager, I lead that charge. Our hockey staff leads that charge and also our players. When you make a decision (like) I made today, there is lots of blame to go around.”
Gulutzan coached Calgary to the playoffs in his first season, but the Flames were dispatched in four straight games by the Anaheim Ducks in 2017.
The addition of veteran goalie Mike Smith and blue-chip defenceman Travis Hamonic were considered to be the pieces of the puzzle that would get the Flames further into the playoffs.
Riding a seven-game win streak and sitting second in the Pacific Division in January, the Flames lost six in a row coming out of their bye week and continued to fray coming down the stretch.
The team was holding down the Western Conference’s final wild-card spot on Feb. 25, but managed just two victories in its final 11 games of the regular season.
Gulutzan, 46, was Treliving’s first headcoaching hire.
Treliving extended the contract of Gulutzan’s predecessor, Bob Hartley, in December 2014, but fired him 17 months later and brought Gulutzan on board.
Hartley had a reputation for being hard on players, while Gulutzan was considered more approachable.
“Personality didn’t have a whole lot to do with this decision,” Treliving said. “I don’t necessarily think our group is a difficult group to coach. There’s challenges with every group.
“By no means is today’s decision letting anyone off the hook. Ultimately, you have success when your players perform well. I felt in order to get us to that level, we had to make this decision.”
So the Flames will hire their fourth coach in nine years after Gulutzan (2016-17), Hartley (2012-16) and Brent Sutter (2009-12). Calgary has finished outside the playoffs seven of the last nine years.
Gulutzan has a 146-125-23 NHL coaching record that also includes two seasons with the Dallas Stars (2011-2013).
Assistant coach Martin Gelinas, goaltending coach Jordan Singalet and video coach Jamie Pringle will remain with the Flames.
Recently unemployed NHL coaches include Alain Vigneault, Dan Bylsma, Dave Tippett and former Flames coach Darryl Sutter.
Bill Peters could also be a candidate since he has an out-clause in his contract with the Carolina Hurricanes until Friday.
“I think having experience in this league is critical,” Treliving said.
Ryan Huska, the former longtime coach of the WHL’s Kelowna Rockets, has had success at the helm of Calgary’s AHL affiliate in Stockton, Calif., but that quote would seem to take him out of the running — at least for the head-coaching position.