As expected, former Devils coach Brent Sutter was named the new head coach of the Flames at a news conference this afternoon in Calgary.
Sutter stepped down as head coach of the Devils only two weeks ago so he could be closer to his family and business interests in Red Deer, Alberta. Calgary is approximately 90 minutes south of Red Deer.
In Calgary, Sutter joins his older brother Darryl, who is the Flames general manager. Brent Sutter had one year remaining on his contract in New Jersey, so the Flames needed to receive permission general manager Lou Lamoriello before speaking to him and hiring him.
Darryl Sutter said the Flames gave up no compensation to hire or speak to Brent Sutter.
"I called Lou and asked for permission to talk to him and that was June 12," Darryl Sutter said. "I talked to Lou this morning about it and moved forward."
Brent Sutter insisted that there was no communication between him and his brother Darryl about the Flames' job before Darryl received permission to speak to him on June 12 -- three days after he announced his resignation from the Devils.
Dave Lowry, Ryan McGill and Jamie McLennan were named assistant coaches.
GOOD BYE!
Posted by: DEVILS!!!! | June 23, 2009 at 05:10 PM
When he left, citing family reasons, i felt bad to see him go. But to immediately go to a new team?
lies all of it. Good riddance
Posted by: skly25 | June 23, 2009 at 05:13 PM
Wow, that was a pretty shitty move!
Posted by: Henrik L | June 23, 2009 at 05:15 PM
For the time he took and the quotes he provided when stepping down, I think he comes off as someone the Devils should be glad to be rid of.
BONUS RANT:
Also, I cannot STAND that Sutter would always say "it is what it is", to the point where Marty is STILL saying it in interviews. What does that even MEAN?!? Of COURSE it is what it is! What the f*** else would 'it' be?!? Only Mike Patton is allowed to say something so stupid.
Posted by: Brooklyn Jay | June 23, 2009 at 05:15 PM
I know we won't be able to prove it, but you'd have to be an idiot not to see that tampering went on here, and Lou's not an idiot. Hope he files charges. The Sutter name just took a hit. Liars.
Posted by: chris | June 23, 2009 at 05:16 PM
I'm half-surprised Johnny Mac didn't leave with him. It could mean that Lou's giving him serious consideration for the new job.
He couldn't do any worse than Sutter.
Posted by: Alz | June 23, 2009 at 05:17 PM
This move speaks volumes about the man's character, le has no class. Anyone who thinks he didn't have this up his sleeve the whole time he was "trying to decide whether or not to come back" is just naive. He's a sneaky rat and he deserves to fail. Glad he's gone if that's the type of person he is.
Posted by: Scratch | June 23, 2009 at 05:18 PM
wow zero compensation???
Posted by: HF | June 23, 2009 at 05:18 PM
Agree 100%, Scratch
Posted by: chris | June 23, 2009 at 05:19 PM
our compensation is we no longer have a coach that does not have the mental acumen for the nhl. lemaire, carbo, and robinson. i beg you lou!
Posted by: Bill | June 23, 2009 at 05:21 PM
Lamoriello probably got legal advice about how hard it would be to win in court, and also if Lamoriello sued, it might just drive up the cost of getting a new coach for us who is under an existing contract. Looks like a lousy deal, but might be the best business deal, and Lamoriello is the best businessman GM going.
Posted by: virtual rob | June 23, 2009 at 05:23 PM
The Devils deserve better. And we will get better. Than again. Can't be too hard to beat Brent
Posted by: Mike | June 23, 2009 at 05:24 PM
can someone explain why Lou would not ask for compensation?
Posted by: HF | June 23, 2009 at 05:24 PM
Good riddance to Sutter. Coaches should motivate, and when did Sutter ever motivate - it was always up to the guys in the "room" to get over what ever issues were impacting the team's play
Posted by: virtual rob | June 23, 2009 at 05:25 PM
Lou wouldn't ask for compensation because he get's more respect and ease of acquiring personnel in the future by treating Sutter's departure well than by being a jerk over it.
Also, it seems to me Sutter had a handshake understanding that he could leave any time and Lou isn't going to go back on his word. It wouldn't be fair dealing.
One reason some people want to play in NJ is because they can trust Lou to be extremely considerate of their personal lives and possibly blocking Sutter from going to Calgary by requiring compensation would damage that perceived trust.
Posted by: Scott731 | June 23, 2009 at 05:28 PM
This is pure BS. You have all of the leverage in the world and you don't demand something in return? I know it would suck to pay his contract this year but this is a disgrace.
Posted by: Lou is a FRAUD | June 23, 2009 at 05:29 PM
i dont think lou could have avoided this, but we really got the shaft right up the jaxxy today. what a friggin farce.
bettman, man up and do something. i'd even take an "investigation."
i just lost all respect for the entire sutter family, since the apple never falls far.
Posted by: SonicDude | June 23, 2009 at 05:30 PM
TG
any comment from lou?
Posted by: bobo | June 23, 2009 at 05:31 PM
IN PSYCHED FOR WHEN/IF CALGARY COMES TO NJ!!! Of course I'll be making sure I get as close to the bench as possible to taunt him!! Maybe blow up a pic of Dumbo and paste his face between the ears. i hope Disney doesnt try to sue me for copyright infringement.
Posted by: RickyM2 | June 23, 2009 at 05:32 PM
He is in Calgary so it is time to move on, but should anybody really take him seriously when he says he had no communication with his brother after it took him two weeks to revert on the crap he said when he quit? They are brothers for crying out loud, how naive does he think everyone is to believe it wasn't brought up at least in passing?
Posted by: ChiDevsFan | June 23, 2009 at 05:34 PM
Were you all this upset when Niedermeyer left? I guarantee that one hurt us FAR more than this one will. Everyone eat some ice cream it wil be okay I Promise!
Posted by: devilstown | June 23, 2009 at 05:34 PM
I said this guy stunk on ice from Day 1.
Posted by: Jason | June 23, 2009 at 05:34 PM
Lou didn't ask for comp probably because he doesn't want to burn any bridges. Makes sense... No sense in making enemies over what probably would have only been a 4th round pick. If it was a player, that's another story. But this was a coach who didn't even want to coach here anymore.
Posted by: frankied | June 23, 2009 at 05:35 PM
finally all these stupid phaneuf compensation comments are laid to rest! you guys may trash sutter but he done a great job implementing our new offensive style of play,i for one am looking to the future and hoping our new coach (hopefully tippett)will continue our progression, GO DEVILS!!!!!!!!
p.s talk about a charismatic press conference lol
Posted by: richer#44 | June 23, 2009 at 05:36 PM
By the way, Lou quotes at Rich Chere's site. Although this one is still better.
Posted by: frankied | June 23, 2009 at 05:37 PM