SouthernHockeyChick
04-11-2003, 03:59 PM
Flames fire Button
TSN.ca Staff
4/11/2003
Craig Button is out as general manager of the Calgary Flames, the team announced at a Friday afternoon news conference.
The Flames did not renew contracts of Button or his assitant Dan Stuchal.
''Craig Button is a bright young man who will have future opportunities in the professional hockey industry,'' Flames president Ken King said in a statement. ``We are thankful for his efforts over the past three seasons and wish him every success.''
Head coach Darryl Sutter will take over as general manger.
``The bottom line is, this is about moving forward and making progress. It doubles my commitment now,'' said Sutter. ``I'm ready for that and I'm looking forward to that.''
Sutter will join Toronto's Pat Quinn, Boston's Mike O'Connell and Glen Sather of the New York Rangers as the only coaches to hold both front office titles.
Button served as general manager of the Flames since June 2000, during which the Flames' record was 88-107-40-11.
The team did not make the playoffs during his tenure, nor in the four seasons prior to his hiring. They finished with a dismal record of 29-36-13-4 this season, although they were strong in the final quarter of the season.
"I'd be lying if I said there weren't some mistakes made, but if you're not trying to make things happen you won't have any mistakes," Button said last week as the team cleaned out its lockers once again.
Among the problems plaguing Button this season was the standoff between then head coach Greg Gilbert and forward Marc Savard. After backing his head coach in the dispute, Savard was traded to Atlanta.
Eventually, Button was forced to fire Gilbert after the team's performance failed to improve.
Sutter's arrival seemed to inject new life into the team, which showed improvement at the end of the season. However, Sutter admitted that the team still had a ways to go.
"Based on the last 30 games, we are a contender to make the playoffs," he said. "We are not a playoff team. Before you become a playoff contender you have to build an identity to be one and that's a huge price to pay. Have we made progress? Yes. Are we there yet? No.".
The contracts of most of the Flames' management, excluding Sutter, were to expire at the end of this season.
Brian Skrudland announced on Thursday he would not return to the team as an assistant coach.
TSN.ca Staff
4/11/2003
Craig Button is out as general manager of the Calgary Flames, the team announced at a Friday afternoon news conference.
The Flames did not renew contracts of Button or his assitant Dan Stuchal.
''Craig Button is a bright young man who will have future opportunities in the professional hockey industry,'' Flames president Ken King said in a statement. ``We are thankful for his efforts over the past three seasons and wish him every success.''
Head coach Darryl Sutter will take over as general manger.
``The bottom line is, this is about moving forward and making progress. It doubles my commitment now,'' said Sutter. ``I'm ready for that and I'm looking forward to that.''
Sutter will join Toronto's Pat Quinn, Boston's Mike O'Connell and Glen Sather of the New York Rangers as the only coaches to hold both front office titles.
Button served as general manager of the Flames since June 2000, during which the Flames' record was 88-107-40-11.
The team did not make the playoffs during his tenure, nor in the four seasons prior to his hiring. They finished with a dismal record of 29-36-13-4 this season, although they were strong in the final quarter of the season.
"I'd be lying if I said there weren't some mistakes made, but if you're not trying to make things happen you won't have any mistakes," Button said last week as the team cleaned out its lockers once again.
Among the problems plaguing Button this season was the standoff between then head coach Greg Gilbert and forward Marc Savard. After backing his head coach in the dispute, Savard was traded to Atlanta.
Eventually, Button was forced to fire Gilbert after the team's performance failed to improve.
Sutter's arrival seemed to inject new life into the team, which showed improvement at the end of the season. However, Sutter admitted that the team still had a ways to go.
"Based on the last 30 games, we are a contender to make the playoffs," he said. "We are not a playoff team. Before you become a playoff contender you have to build an identity to be one and that's a huge price to pay. Have we made progress? Yes. Are we there yet? No.".
The contracts of most of the Flames' management, excluding Sutter, were to expire at the end of this season.
Brian Skrudland announced on Thursday he would not return to the team as an assistant coach.