Truth & Rumors > NHL

Sutter flip-flop irks Devils owner

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Accepting Brent Sutter's resignation as head coach with one year remaining on his Devils contract was disappointing to owner Jeff Vanderbeek. Seeing Sutter accept the job as coach of the Calgary Flames less than one month later left Vanderbeek feeling both surprised and upset. "Yes, it puts a different light on things," Vanderbeek told me Tuesday after Sutter was named head coach of the Flames by his brother, Calgary GM Darryl Sutter. "It leaves a bad taste in your mouth. "All of the conversations we had throughout the year with Brent had been regarding his family, them not moving here, about Red Deer and changes he was contemplating back there. Certainly I was surprised when the prospect of coaching another team raised its head one month after leaving this team. It's upsetting."

Newark Star-Ledger

Brent Sutter, AP Brent Sutter, AP
June 24, 2009  09:29 AM ET

Who cares about Brent Sutter, he did as much as Keened did the last two years. The only difference is their last name. When Calgary struggles and one Sutter gets canned at least there will be 4 more they can rely on.

June 24, 2009  09:35 AM ET

Surprised? Man, am I the only one who read every newspaper report this winter/spring saying how he wanted to go back home and was a possible coaching candidate for Calgary or Edmonton? He was living on the east coast, and his home was a 5 hour flight away. Now it's an hour and a half drive. The writing was on the wall

June 24, 2009  09:38 AM ET
QUOTE(#2):

Surprised? Man, am I the only one who read every newspaper report this winter/spring saying how he wanted to go back home and was a possible coaching candidate for Calgary or Edmonton? He was living on the east coast, and his home was a 5 hour flight away. Now it's an hour and a half drive. The writing was on the wall

Took the words right out of my mouth....

June 24, 2009  09:38 AM ET

I truly do feel bad for the Devils and for their fans on this one, but don't tell me this was a surprise. Sutter said he wanted to be closer to his family. He never said he didn't want to coach in the N. He isn't going to coach the Oilers against his brother, and, coincidentally, his brother happened to have a head coaching job open. There wasn't one hockey fan in North America who didn't see this coming. So either this Vanderbeek isn't a hockey fan, or he's smart like paint...

June 24, 2009  10:04 AM ET

Hes just playing the duh role. No way he and Lou didnt know Sutter was leaving. Obviouslt it was okay with them and/or there was some back door agreements. Hes just trying to save face.....

June 24, 2009  10:30 AM ET

From that picture, it looks as though Sutter took a short bus to the press conference.

June 24, 2009  11:02 AM ET

no, that's just how rarely the Sutters smile, PopKing, their faces just aren't used to it

June 24, 2009  11:49 AM ET

Between the 7 brothers they just have to have more kids. Enough boys and the whole Flame's team will have Sutter on the back of there Jersey.

June 24, 2009  11:51 AM ET
QUOTE(#2):

Surprised? Man, am I the only one who read every newspaper report this winter/spring saying how he wanted to go back home and was a possible coaching candidate for Calgary or Edmonton? He was living on the east coast, and his home was a 5 hour flight away. Now it's an hour and a half drive. The writing was on the wall

Exactly.

June 24, 2009  12:25 PM ET

I'm not surprised at all but I do wish he had gone to Deadmonton. Why not there to coach against your brother's team? Sutters must be different from my family. Sibling rivalries abound.

And the Devils should be choked.

June 24, 2009  12:36 PM ET

He's just blowing smoke up Jersey's fans' butts. It makes him look stupid, when the rest of the hockey world knew this was happening months ago. Just admit he knew and move on. And it is not New York, New Jersey traffic. Red Deer to Calgary is a piece of cake, whenever Duane has to do it.

June 24, 2009  01:03 PM ET

On another tampering note, I heard that Gaborik has purchased a house in Hongcouver? To be near his buddy Demietra? Too bad. I used to like Gaborik. I 'd hate it if he died and went to Hongcouver.

June 24, 2009  01:58 PM ET

How could you EVER like Gaborik, Hank? Or was that just put in there to help make the rest of the point?

June 24, 2009  04:34 PM ET
QUOTE(#13):

How could you EVER like Gaborik, Hank? Or was that just put in there to help make the rest of the point?

I actually like the Wild. They play the Canucks tough. The enemy of my enemy, etc....

And I like Gaborik. I think he's very good if fragile. I'd love to have him in Deadmonton playing with Hemske.

June 24, 2009  04:36 PM ET
QUOTE:

Really? A Vancouver top line of Sedin-Sedin-Gaborik?There's tampering everywhere it seems. Seems like Bettman doesnt give a $hit.

Only if they sign the sisters. I think he'd be better not playing with them though. Leave Burrows with them and make another line.

Bettstein is such an inconsistent tool it's beyond belief.

June 24, 2009  07:51 PM ET
QUOTE:

If i was the Devils owner,i'd be pi--ssed too.

should they be looking for a draft pick??

June 24, 2009  08:23 PM ET
QUOTE(#12):

On another tampering note, I heard that Gaborik has purchased a house in Hongcouver? To be near his buddy Demietra? Too bad. I used to like Gaborik. I 'd hate it if he died and went to Hongcouver.

I heard he was going there for the longest time...ever since they got Demetria last year.

June 24, 2009  08:23 PM ET
QUOTE:

Really? A Vancouver top line of Sedin-Sedin-Gaborik?There's tampering everywhere it seems. Seems like Bettman doesnt give a $hit.

I don't think they will keep the Sedin's and Gaborik.

 
June 24, 2009  08:25 PM ET
QUOTE(#17):

Only if they sign the sisters. I think he'd be better not playing with them though. Leave Burrows with them and make another line.

Burrows was awesome with them.

Sedin-Sedin-Burrows
Demitra-Kessel-Gaborik

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