This site has had a lot to say about Darryl Sutter, and I'm sure there is going to be a lot more to come, as is proper and expected, for a place specializing in the interests and fortunes of the Calgary Flames. Now, these same Flames have had 3 straight first round playoff exits and if everything goes perfectly with Sutter's offseason moves the Flames are set up to make a giant move... sideways. The point of this particular post, however, is not so much Darryl's display or lack of hockey acumen but more about his political ability he uses in going about his GM-erily tasks. So is the clock ticking on Darryl? Is his job at risk?
To answer that question boldly, I'll say that Darryl Sutter will be the GM of the Calgary Flames for as long as he wants to be - and I think the reason has been his keen judgment on how to consolidate his power within the Flames' organization.
Remember Darryl came to the Flames after getting the boot in San Jose, but it was also after his brother Brian had been canned by the Flames 3 years before. So, Darryl obviously wants and receives the GM job as well as the coaching job when he comes to the Flames. This solves the SJ problem: there's no GM to fire him! He undoubtedly received detail info from brother Brian about the inner workings of the Flames management/ownership and any obvious buttons that need to be pushed or levers to be pulled. The hockey industry is notorious for being small, familial in the best sense, but also a little incestuous, so it isn't surprising that there are a lot of decisions made with regards to who knows who. But even within a system like that Darryl is noticeable for his focus (obsession?) on loyalty. The Flames organization is filled with family, Sutter loyalists, and people that aspire to be Sutter loyalists. The result is that the organization defers to Darryl in a couple of ways, 1) the obvious one of having people in place that support Darryl and are predisposed to carry out his decision/directions. 2) By having all the spots filled with people loyal to him there aren't any perches or even any oxygen within the org. for anti-Sutter usurpers. I find it interesting that the Flames don't have an assitant GM or a 'capologist'. This concentration of power effectively means that Sutter cannot be fired in a 'coup' like move. Firstly, simply because of the Sutter 'mystique' and of being a member of Alberta's hockey royal family (and Calgary is the one place in the NHL, other than Edmonton, where this mystique is strongest and helps Darryl the most). Because there's no one in place that could effectively take over immediately (let the Keenan conspiracy theories begin; but I believe that the Flames would NEVER move to make Keenan GM. One word: Luongo) and ownership would have to be concerned about the reaction/morale of remaining Sutter 'guys'. So if there is any attempt at firing Sutter it'll have to be done by negotiating his departure, or moving him upstairs, so then it becomes less a 'firing' and more of a dynastic renewal, and there are plenty of Sutters (like Shark's teeth) in line to replace Darryl. And finally who wants to be the guy to have to give Darryl Sutter that news? Even if Darryl Sutter is your 'employee' he's more than a little intimidating. I bet he intimidates members of Calgary ownership. In short; Sutter's combination of Leonid Brezhnev, Fidel Castro, and Tony Soprano have wedged him into the GM seat pretty tight. But I hear you faithful readers saying, 'But Joe, isn't there some dramatic, cinematic way of describing your point?' Why yes, yes there is... dream sequence slowly begins.
Harp music: ascending and descending scales, focus becomes soft, then softer, till totally white
Harp music fades, Focus slowly sharpens to reveal Office Int. : The back of a solitary figure as he looks out of large office windows. Mid-morning bright (almost dazzling) sunshine streams into room. Blue sky can be seen right down to the snow covered horizon. A perfect Albertan winter morning.
BZZZZT
the intercom on the desk buzzes loudly but somehow seemingly 'asking' for permission to intrude upon the concentration of the lone occupant. He turns and strides purposefully from the windows to the desk, revealing to the audience that it is Darryl Sutter, GM of the Calgary Flames and presses on the intercom to reply:
DS: Yes, what is it Comrade Secretary?
Sec: Excuse me, Comrade General Manager, but Comrade President King is here to see you
DS: Send him in.
the camera moves to behind Sutter as it looks beyond him over his shoulder at his large, tastefully opulent, but tidy desk, around his darkly sumptuously mahogany paneled office toward the door. It quietly opens to reveal Ken King, president of the Flames enter and approach the desk, somewhat meekly holding and fidgeting with a Flames toque.
DS: Comrade, please come in and sit down.
King continues to approach the desk, but in doing so has to look into the bright sunshine coming from behind the silhouetted Sutter at his desk
KK: Ahh, but Comrade; (as he shades his eyes) there's no chair.
DS: Hmmm, is that so.
BZZZZT. (intercom interupts)
Sec: Excuse me, Comrade General Manager, but it is Comrade Vice-President of Secret P.. (nervous laugh) I mean, of course, Comrade Vice-President of Internal Security Sutter on the phone.
DS: Brian! How are you? How's the meeting going, wait a sec, let me put you on speaker.. (DS pushes button on intercom, Brian Sutter's voice fills the office)
BS: Darryl, you wouldn't believe it! Me and my boys barely arrived and took off our coats and rolled up our sleeves before the ownership was falling over themselves to agree to your demands, er I mean your suggestions going forward. Everybody here has decided to play ball!
DS: Thats great Brian, keep up the good work.
DS flicks off speakerphone, KK's eyes have widened upon hearing about the ownership and he now looks even more uncomfortable and pensive
DS: (gesturing to the windows and the beautiful view outside..) Isn't it beautiful Ken?
KK: A truly beautiful sight Comrade.
DS: Ken, are you a son of the Motherland?
KK: A son of the Motherwhat?
DS: A native of Alberta, Ken.
KK: Oh.. No Comrade I was born in Saskatchewan.
DS: Saskatchewan, ah yes, of course; EAST Alberta.
BZZZZT. (intercom interrupts again)
Sec: A thousand apologies Comrade General Manager, but Comrade Vice-President of Indoctri..(another nervous laugh, this one a little longer and little nervousier) I mean of course Comrade Vice-President of Player Development Sutter has left a message that he will be here in time for the meeting with Comrade Vice-President of Drafting and Acquistions Sutter.
DS: Thats great, tell Duane and Ron to come right up after they arrive.
KK: Uhmm, excuse me Comrade, but as Comrade President shouldn't I be invited to that meeting as well? (King is chewing the side of his lip, now as the toque in his hands is being almost teased out of shape)
DS: Ken, what I wanted to talk to you about, is I'm thinking of making some changes...
DS gets up from behind the desk as he speaks and walks toward the door gently spinning KK toward the door and letting his left hand drape over KK's shoulders
KK: Comrade General Manager, I'm sure the board will support me in my position (KK says this WITHOUT being sure of the support at all, and his voice noticeably rising in pitch and with a slight quaver)
DS: Oh, I'm not thinking of getting rid of you Comrade, no no, its more of a Brand change..
both the men continue to walk toward the door, by this time KK has figuratively and literally shrunk in size and stature made even more apparent with the obvious comparison to the figure of DS right beside KK and as DS talks he gestures with his right hand as if referring to a name on a theatre marquee...
DS: How does Comrade President Ken SUTTER sound?
