FanHouse begins its four-part preview of the upcoming NHL season. Check back every Thursday from now until opening night for the rest.
The calendar has flipped past Labor Day in the States, and that means the start of the NHL's regular season is fast approaching. We're going to take one last look back at the summer and discuss the best and worst moves -- in some cases, non-moves -- of the offseason. Who took a step in the right direction and who took a step back?
The naming of Brent Sutter as head coach of the Calgary Flames was not a surprise. The June 23 announcement made headlines, but was also a poorly-kept secret in most hockey circles.
From the moment he resigned in New Jersey, Sutter was expected to join brother Darryl, the Flames' general manager, in coach-less Calgary. Once Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello gave permission for Brent to make that move, it was quickly announced. After about a month on the job, Sutter took some time to talk to FanHouse about his move back to western Canada.
It's officially the offseason, meaning the time is right to look into the future. We continue our division-by-division preview of the potential wheeling and dealing with the Northwest Division.
It appears we are setting up for an offseason of significant change in the Northwest Division. Only the Vancouver Canucks will have the same coach as last year, and there could be some real upheaval in terms of personnel. Not only that, but two teams (Minnesota and Colorado) have changed general managers.
After stepping down as head coach of the New Jersey Devils two weeks ago, rumors instantly started to fly about Brent Sutter taking over behind the bench of the Calgary Flames. After all, Brent's brother, Darryl, is currently the general manager in Calgary, while the team recently had its head coaching spot become available after Mike Keenan was fired following the Flames' opening round loss to the Chicago Blackhawks.
According to TSN, the Sutter family reunion is close to happening, as reports are indicating Brent is nearing an agreement to take over as the Flames' bench boss.
To the surprise of precisely no one, Brent Sutterstepped down after two years as head coach of the New Jersey Devils. Between his desire to be closer to family and the potential interest in joining brother Darryl in Calgary, Brent Sutter had every reason to leave.
As Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello searches for a replacement, an old friend seems to be emerging as a serious candidate. This, too, should come as a surprise to nobody.
While Sutter has been successful with the Devils, his roots are in western Canada. Not only that, but his brother, Darryl, is the general manager of the Flames.
With that in mind, there appears to be a connection between Brent Sutter's decision to resign as the coach in New Jersey, and the fact that Darryl Sutter has yet to name Keenan's successor.
The Hurricanes must not have been content with letting the Washington Capitals take the spotlight for the night. After the Capitals defeated the Rangers in a thrilling contest on a stellar shot from Sergei Fedorov, the 'Canes one-upped that ending with their own miracle finish, scoring two goals in the final 80 seconds to overcome a 3-2 deficit and eliminate the Devils. The 'Canes advance to play the Bruins in the second round.
But that's a discussion to have later, because Carolina deserves to revel for a night in its tenacity, busting through a Devils defense that stifled for 55 minutes, particularly in the second half of the game. The sequence that unfolded over the game's final minutes left the jaws of everyone watching agape, with the Devils and their fans staring at the floor wondering how their season went from dashing to deceased.
It had to be this way -- the most evenly-matched series in the league's opening round, two parallel teams who have been equals in the stat sheet through six games, naturally leads to a Game 7. That fate was sealed for the Hurricanes and Devils after the Hurricanes played near-perfect hockey in dispatching the Devils in front of a thoroughly pleased Carolina crowd that included elite Panthers wideout Steve Smith and Tyler Hansbrough of the national champion Tar Heels.
The 'Canes did their part in living up to the presence of those two, responding to a shutout loss in Game 5 with a forceful effort in which Brent Sutter summed up thusly, "The difference was that one team played like there was no tomorrow and the other didn't."
The naming of Brent Sutter as head coach of the Calgary Flames was not a surprise. The June 23 announcement made headlines, but was also a poorly-kept secret in most hockey circles. 
UPDATE: The Devils have made it official.
It's officially the offseason, meaning the time is right to look into the future. We continue our division-by-division preview of the potential wheeling and dealing with the Northwest Division. 
There have been a lot of shocking developments over the years in sports. Tuesday's announcement in Calgary was not one of them.
To the surprise of precisely no one, Brent Sutter stepped down after two years as head coach of the New Jersey Devils. Between his desire to be closer to family and the potential interest in joining brother Darryl in Calgary, Brent Sutter had every reason to leave..jpg)
The Hurricanes must not have been content with letting the Washington Capitals take the spotlight for the night. After the Capitals defeated the Rangers in a thrilling contest on a stellar shot from Sergei Fedorov, the 'Canes one-upped that ending with their own miracle finish, scoring two goals in the final 80 seconds to overcome a 3-2 deficit and eliminate the Devils. The 'Canes advance to play the Bruins in the second round.
It had to be this way -- the most evenly-matched series in the league's opening round, two parallel teams who have been equals in the stat sheet through six games, naturally leads to a Game 7. That fate was sealed for the Hurricanes and Devils after the Hurricanes played near-perfect hockey in dispatching the Devils in front of a thoroughly pleased Carolina crowd that included elite Panthers wideout Steve Smith and Tyler Hansbrough of the national champion Tar Heels.
