Brotherly Love

by James Duplacey

The worst-kept secret in the Stampede City was confirmed today when Darryl Sutter stepped up to the podium and announced that brother Brent was the new bench boss of the Calgary Flames, signalling the official end of the Iron Mike regime and the commencement of the Sutter Steel era.  Ever since he resigned the coaching half of his double portfolio, the elder Sutter has been searching in vain for a replacement who could instill in his charges the same fire, brimstone and broth that he delivered during his tenure behind the bench. An inside the system replacement (Jim Playfair) failed to meet expectations, an outside source (Mike Keenan) was equally ineffective so an inside-the-family solution was the logical next step.

We know Brent Sutter brings solid credentials to the table. He piloted Team Canada to a pair of gold medal victories at the World Junior Championships, served a successful reign as pivot and front office boss of the WHL’s Red Deer Rebels, a tour of duty that delivered a Memorial Cup to the Alberta community in 2001 and proved he could handle the pressures and media scrutiny of the NHL. What he hasn’t shown is the ability to advance a team beyond the first round of the NHL playoffs – a task he will have to accomplish to keep the Sutter name affiliated with the Flaming “C”.

Make no mistake, if brother Brent fails to keep Calgary in contention beyond the final day of the regular schedule, he will not be only Sutter to be shown to the exit door. By increasing the Sutter fraternity in the Flames front office system to four (brother Duane is the director of player personnel and brother Ron is a scout), gm Darryl Sutter placed his own neck in the noose. Sideline skeptics and showcase scribes have been vocal in their disapproval of Sutter’s work this past season – a campaign that saw the club allow a substantial lead in the Northwest Division standings evaporate so much the team had to struggle just to earn a ticket to the post-season dance. A slew of injuries, a decided decline on the defensive side of the sheet and mismanagement of the salary cap all combined to capsize the club, leaving the squad with an empty gas tank when they needed formidable fuel to overcome the run’n'gun Chicago Blackhawks, who simply out-skated, outhit and, ultimately, outscored the fizzling Flames.

The club also named Ryan McGill, Dave Lowry and Jamie McLennan as assistant coaches. However, in this family affair, the blame game starts and stops with the name Sutter. For the brothers, it will be all for won and won for all. Otherwise, all will be looking for employment in another city.

Tags: Brent Sutter, Duane Sutter, Jim Playfair, Memorial Cup, Mike Keenan, Red Deer Rebels, Ron Sutter, Team Canada