What Are They Waiting For?

Brad Treliving has a bit of work to do. The Flames fired Bob Hartley after missing out on the postseason, and it was thought that they could grab one of the three free agent coaches in Bruce Boudreau, Guy Boucher, or Marc Crawford. Instead, Minnesota inked Boudreau after the Senators reportedly agreed to terms with Guy Boucher. The Senators then went out and signed Crawford as an associate coach thanks to the connection Boucher and Crawford had in the Swiss League. So if the Flames didn't appeal to those three, who are the Flames looking at to fill their coaching vacancy?

Could they be holding out for Darryl Sutter?

Sutter is looking at a summer of coaching offers if he wants it. His contract with the Kings has expied, and he took a flailing Kings team to new heights. He got excellent contributions from some great young talent in Los Angeles, and there's no denying that the Kings flourished under his puck possession mantra and his directive in forechecking the opposition to death.

According to several reports, Kings GM Dean Lombardi has tabled an offer to Sutter to keep him behind the Kings bench. There are some compelling reasons for Sutter to remain with the Kings, but you have to wonder if Sutter isn't considering other options since the offer to re-sign with Los Angeles hasn't been signed.

Could the Viking, Alberta native be looking at a move closer to home?

Sutter would essentially take over the same type of team he did in Los Angeles when he started there. There is some good young talent in Calgary, but they are missing some key pieces when compared to Los Angeles. The pieces they do have, though, should excite a coach like Sutter because he'll have a ton of speed and scoring to work with if he were to take the job in Calgary.

While names like Mike Keenan, Ron Wilson, and Randy Carlyle are out there, none of them play the up-tempo speed game that the Flames' brass would like to see. Other names that could be in play if the Flames were expanding their potential coaching list include Paul MacLean, Andy Murray, Ted Nolan, Benoit Groulx, and Dale Hunter. But none of them hold two Stanley Cup victories directly due to their coaching influence on a team.

Darryl Sutter returns home every off-season. He brings his family, and they relax on his farm. He knows the city of Calgary, and could be welcomed back as the next best thing if he decided to head back to the Flames for his second tour of duty. I'm pretty certain that Brad Treliving would lend an ear to Sutter's wants and needs as a coach with respect to personnel on the ice, so there's a good chance he'd be able to build the team he wants to see.

Sometimes, the grass isn't always greener, but Sutter and his family would be close to home, close to their extended family, and be welcomed back as heroes. It's an intriguing thought for anyone wanting a new challenge.

The only question: does Darryl want that challenge?

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!