As Management Shifts, Key Duo of Flames Express Desire to Depart Calgary

Before this season, the Flames extended contract offers to GM Brad Treliving and head coach Darryl Sutter. Sutter accepted his extension, which kicks off this summer and spans two seasons. Treliving, on the other hand, hesitated and opted to wait until the end of the season.

Now that the season is over, we have our answer. Treliving and the Flames have "mutually agreed to part ways" on Monday, just five days after their final game in a lackluster 2022-23 season. Don Maloney, the new President of Hockey Operations and interim GM, stated that Treliving first expressed his intention to leave last Wednesday.

Although Treliving's decisions may not have been popular among fans, he did provide stability within the organization. With the GM position now vacant, the team's direction heading into the offseason becomes murkier. It is speculated that Treliving's deteriorating relationship with Sutter played a significant role in his departure, as the two hadn't been communicating effectively for some time. If Sutter didn't have an extension, perhaps the outcome would have been different.

A primary concern now is the fate of several Flames players who will be eligible for UFA status in 2024, including centers Mikael Backlund and Elias Lindholm, winger Tyler Toffoli, and defensemen Noah Hanifin, Chris Tanev, and Nikita Zadorov.

During the Flames' end-of-season press conference, TSN's Salim Valji reported that both Backlund and Lindholm seemed uncertain about re-signing with Calgary before next summer. Backlund, despite his affection for Calgary, emphasized his goal of winning the Stanley Cup and expressed doubt about what would happen if offered a contract extension this summer.

As for Lindholm, he mentioned the remaining year on his contract and said he would see how things progress.

The Flames experienced internal divisions this year, including player disputes. Such conflicts tend to arise when a season doesn't meet expectations. The team's focus should be on infusing young talent into the roster and ensuring Jonathan Huberdeau thrives. While the responsibility lies partly with the player, the surrounding environment plays a crucial role as well.

As seen at: Two Flames' key players are vocal about leaving Calgary amidst management changes

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