4 Potential Names To Be The Next Head Coach Of The Calgary Flames

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After a difficult 2022/23 season that drew plenty of negative attention to the franchise, the Calgary Flames have made a very surprising move early in the off-season, as interim General Manager Don Moloney and the front office officially relieved 2021/22 Jack Adams Award winner Darryl Sutter of his duties.

On the surface, the idea of releasing a coach so close to an award winning campaign makes no sense, but over the past month or so, the dirty laundry has been aired out, with some players reportedly going so far as to tell management that they wouldn’t play in 2023/24 if Sutter remained behind the bench.

Whether that’s true or not, the Flames made the decision to move on from the veteran, and now the franchise finds themselves at a cross roads, and getting the perfect coach to get them out of this spot is crucial. Now, the team have hired Assistant General Manager and former Flame Craig Conroy to be the next General Manager of the team, giving us a clearer picture of the future of this organization, a great decision which will no doubt affect the outcome of their Head Coach search.

With the GM in place and a clear plan for the future, we now take a look at that Head Coach search. So realistically, what are their options?

COLUMBUS, OH – MARCH 22: Alex Tanguay #40 of the Calgary Flames controls the puck during the game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on March 22, 2013 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /

4. Alex Tanguay

While few people had the name of former Flames winger Alex Tanguay on their mind when this Head Coach search began, but after the Conroy hire, NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman threw out his name as a genuine candidate for the role going forward.

During his career, Tanguay suited up for five seasons as a member of the Calgary Flames, appearing in 342 games, racking up 86 goals and 198 assists for 284 points, and while he played for the Colorado Avalanche for nine seasons, he has continuously had a relationship with Calgary and the Flames organization.

Since his playing days ended, Tanguay has spent two seasons with the Iowa Wild, as well as two seasons as an assistant coach with the Detroit Red Wings, and while he hasn’t been the popular choice to this point, it certainly wouldn’t be the worst option for the Flames franchise that are looking to get the fans back on their side.

MONTREAL, CANADA – NOVEMBER 15: Associate coach, Andrew Brunette of the New Jersey Devils handles bench duties during the second period against the Montreal Canadiens at Centre Bell on November 15, 2022 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The New Jersey Devils defeated the Montreal Canadiens 5-1. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /

3. Andrew Brunette

In recent days, a lot of the connections that fans and analysts have made to this job revolve around people currently within the Flames organization, or names that have a connection to the team, with current New Jersey Devils assistant Andrew Brunette being the major exception.

In his only season as a Head Coach in the NHL, Brunette led the Florida Panthers (led by Jonathan Huberdeau, also featuring key Flames Mackenzie Weegar) to a 51-18-6 record, but after losing in the second round to the Tampa Bay Lightning, he was relieved of his role.

With his connection to two of Calgary’s most important players, Brunette will no doubt garner plenty of attention, and while he’s the biggest potential outside hire on the market for Calgary, he would be a name that Flames fans should get excited about.

EDMONTON, ALBERTA – AUGUST 11: Assistant coach Ryan Huska of the Calgary Flames handles last minute instructions during the game against the Dallas Stars in Game One of the Western Conference First Round during the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place on August 11, 2020 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The Flames defeated the Stars 3-2. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images) /

2. Ryan Huska

Speaking of hiring from within, there’s definitely a potentially great hire and a bad hire for the Flames from their current coaching staff, and if they wanted to make the smart move, than assistant Ryan Huska certainly wouldn’t let anyone down if given the opportunity.

Huska has been with the Flames organization since back in 2014, joining the top team back in 2018 as an assistant, and if the team want to keep continuity like they did with the Conroy hire, as well as going a lot younger than their last coach, Huska is perhaps the best choice for many.

With many of the core still around from the 2018 team (Andersson, Backlund, Lindholm, Dube, Hanifin and Kylington), he’s built up a rapport with key members of the group, so if the Flames aren’t ready to hand the reigns to our No. 1 option, keep an eye on Huska.

HENDERSON, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 26: Mitch Love, head coach of the Calgary Wranglers on the bench in the game against the Henderson Silver Knights at The Dollar Loan Center on February 26, 2023 in Henderson, Nevada. The Silver Knights defeated the Wranglers 2-1. (Photo by Candice Ward/Getty Images) /

1. Mitch Love

Although the Calgary Wranglers came up short in their pursuit of the 2023 Calder Cup, Head Coach Mitch Love showed beyond a shadow of a doubt that he’s a future NHL coach, and now it’s up to the Flames to decide if he is ready for that role or not.

On top of his success, many of the Flames top prospects such as Matthew Phillips, Jacob Pelletier, Connor Zary, Dustin Wolf, Jeremie Porier and others all took major steps forward, and with an infusion of youth needed, perhaps Love is the man to drive that.

Ultimately, with so many veterans on the team, Calgary may look to bring him aboard as an assistant to one of the other names mentioned first, but don’t be surprised if they see him as the future of the organization and someone to push into the Head Coach role immediately.

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