Changes that took place in the Calgary Flames hockey operations ...
There are always a number of changes to organizations in the summer. It can be very busy like the summer when the Calgary Flames hired a new general manager and head coach. It can also be fairly quiet, with changes at positions behind the scenes. That is more so what took place this summer. It was quiet, but there are still a number of changes that took place.
New faces on the FlamesBrad Larsen – Larsen joined the Flames as an assistant coach. He spent the 2021–22 and 2022–23 seasons as the head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Mike Coflin – Coflin joins the Flames as an amateur scout in Western Canada. Prior to his role with the Flames, Coflin spent the last twelve years with the Portland Winterhawks in the WHL as a scout and Assistant to the General Manager.
Lauri Tukonen – Tukonen joins the Flames as an amateur scout based in Finland. Tukonen had a brief NHL career playing five games with the Los Angeles Kings. He spent more than a decade playing in the Liiga. Tukonen replaces Ari Haanpaa, who was the Flames’ Finnish scout from 2010–11 through 2022–23.
Individuals who have left the organization:Marc Savard – Savard joined the Flames as an assistant coach last summer, but the two sides decided to mutually part ways after one season. Savard joined the Toronto Maple Leafs as an assistant coach and is running the power play.
Michael Charron – Charron was promoted to Manager, Data & Analytics in Fall 2023. He left the organization recently.
Brad Richardson – Richardson joined the Flames as a pro scout last year, but has departed from the role (and joined the Missin Curfew podcast).
Jason Taylor – Taylor was an amateur scout with the Flames for the last three seasons. He has joined the Toronto Maple Leafs as a pro scout.
Role changes within the organization:Hendrix Hanes – promoted to Director of Analytics & Data (previously Developer & Data Scientist)
Connor Rankin – promoted to Senior Video Analyst & Reserve List Scout (previously a Video Analyst)
Pierre-Paul Lamoureux – has transitioned from an Amateur Scout to a Professional Scout
Shifts in perspectiveThe team is in a different era with their competitive window and the assessment of organizational needs will change drastically over the next couple of years. With a shift towards more data and analytics, it’s clear the team has the appetite to find competitive edges over their opponents as they were looking to expand that department heading into the season.
Aside from Larsen, the Flames were more focused on behind-the-scene changes, so it’ll be interesting to see when impacts are seen in the organization, especially from the scouting group as a whole.