Darryl Sutter Best Man For Flames' Coaching Position, For Now

Calgary Flames GM Darryl Sutter addressed the media today, following last week's firing of Mike Keenan, and announced that he was cleaning house.

The team will be heading in an entirely different direction next season.

Sutter announced that the contracts of assistant coaches Rich Preston, Rob Cookson, David Marcoux, and Jim Playfair would not be renewed when they expire on June 30th.

Playfair has been offered the head coaching position of the Flames' American Hockey League affiliate in Abbotsford.

"When you're in that top group (of teams) you want to get to the top of that group," said Sutter.

"We're talking about a very successful team, but we want more."

Sutter has been looking through a list of potential candidates to take the head coaching position with the Flames, but has met with with little success.

"Right now, I'm the best one," he said.

"All the best coaches in the league are under contract and I think there are three guys that are excellent and then I'm fourth."

Though many feel the role of both coach and GM is a dying breed in the post-lockout NHL, Sutter feels he could handle the situation if needed.

"I can separate the general manager and coach pretty easily if I'm surrounded by good people. If I find in the search that I'm the best candidate, then I am the coach, I can do that easy."

Sutter was clear that the Flames early playoff exit was only part of the reason for the changes, but that a number of areas need addressing.

Sutter stressed that improvement was needed on the team's defence. The Flames ranked 23rd in the regular season in terms of defence.

"I think it slipped a bit this year," said Sutter of Calgary's defensive play. "That's against what I believe in, and that's not what successful organizations do."

He hopes to have his coaching staff in place prior to the NHL Entry Draft on June 26th.

Regardless of who is standing behind the Flames' bench next season, Sutter knows the challenges ahead.

"I have high standards. We have high standards. And that's what matters," said Sutter.

"It is a position that takes a lot of time and energy. The head coaching position is the toughest position in the organization."