2009 NHL off-season trades, rumours, draft thread

He won't care if he coaches in the NHL or not. He has the Rebels. Even if he doesn't go back to coaching or managing them, now or ever, I'm sure he'll be able to find plenty to do.

EDIT: I found a story from two months ago that predicted Sutter's depature from the Devils, but not so he could return to an active role with his Rebels:

Sutter is the odds-on favourite to be named head coach of Canada's Olympic team at the conclusion of the NHL playoffs. After all, the second-year Devils coach has a perfect record with Canada at the World Juniors and he's already one of the premier coaches in today's game.

Sutter could then resign and move back to Alberta, where he could work closely with Hockey Canada officials while living at home and scouting players coming through Western Canada.

http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/NHL/Calgary/2009/04/06/9023256-sun.html

 

Until there's wholesale change in the front office, the team will continue to be a second-tier team. Make the playoffs, maybe win a series, but totally unable to compete against the Caps, Wings and Pens of the world.

 

Which is still a heck of a lot better than where they were two years ago. People in Atlanta and Phoenix would kill for that kind of improvement.

 

The Philly Daily News says the Flyers presser is to officially announce the Emery signing. I thought that couldn't happen until July 1, but I guess not.

 

I'm going to wind up shooting myself over that or at least creating a game that involves throwing pucks at a poster of Emery.

 

Except for this:

http://www.calgaryherald.com/Sports/Brent+Sutter+leaves+Jersey+says+career+over/1679192/story.html

Sutter spoke of homesickness, of being away from his wife, daughter, cattle ranch and junior hockey team, the Red Deer Rebels. He added that he would not be coaching the Rebels this winter. When asked if he could envision himself just taking a year away from the pro game and being happy, if that’s the way the cards fell, he replied: "Absolutely.’’

In the same breath, he admitted that he wasn’t finished with the NHL.

If that’s the case, the vacant Calgary Flames’ head coaching position seems tailor-made for him. Now that Sutter has made his decision to leave the Devils public, Calgary general manager Darryl Sutter is expected to make contract [sic] with his Jersey counterpart, Lou Lamoriello.

 

My brother, who lives in Ottawa and breathes the Senators' icy air, laughs in your general direction.

 

If Sutter was homesick, great. I understand. Did he and Lou have any kind of deal in place in case this happened? If so, I'm sure it was meant to be kept quiet.

I think Sutter's a good coach and all, but to be honest, I'm OK with him leaving. At least he was able to leave on his terms instead of having Lou do what he's done to the last few coaches. And I think the next Devils coach will come from within the organization (and not Lou!)

 

It sounds like he and Lou had a pretty close working agreement that he would beable to make the decision to return or stay home every summer.

Here's the story from Red Deer's paper, for those who are interested.

http://www.albertalocalnews.com/reddeeradvocate/news/Brent_Sutter_resigns_as_coach_of_New_Jersey_Devils_47327497.html

I know he still played an active role in the management of the Rebels as owner and president while coaching in New Jersey, keeping close tabs on everything. I don't think he'll be returning to coach in Red Deer, he's pretty high on their current HC Jesse Wallin.

 

Pamela Wallin?

 

Just realized the Sportsnet story was pulled off the wire, but originated in Red Deer. So if you read the one earlier, you can save yourself some time, although the Red Deer story does have some links to previous stories frim the paper on the situation.

 

I don't think there's a relation.