Photo from The Hockey News
Former NHL player Marc Savard has severed ties with the Calgary Flames, ending his stint as an assistant coach with the team. The Flames announced this decision through a news release, citing a mutual agreement between Savard and the club to part ways. Craig Conroy, the General Manager of the Flames, expressed gratitude towards Savard for his dedication during the previous season and acknowledged his professionalism throughout the departure process. Conroy wished Savard success in his future endeavors within the hockey realm.
Savard joined the Flames' coaching staff in June of the previous year, taking on the role of assistant coach under Ryan Huska. Prior to his time with the Flames, Savard had dipped his toes into coaching, having previously served as an assistant coach for the Windsor Spitfires of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). His NHL coaching experience also includes a stint with the St. Louis Blues, where he worked as an assistant under head coach Craig Berube.
Despite the potential duration remaining on his contract with the Flames, the announcement allows Savard, who played over 800 games in the NHL, to explore new opportunities within the hockey coaching landscape. Speculation arises regarding a potential reunion between Savard and Craig Berube, who was recently appointed as the head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs. However, Berube has refrained from commenting on his plans for assembling his coaching staff.
In addition to Savard, DJ Smith, another assistant coach, has been linked to the Maple Leafs. However, Smith's future remains uncertain, with the possibility of him staying with the Los Angeles Kings following Jim Hiller's extension as head coach. The Leafs have not disclosed any information regarding their existing assistant coaches. Furthermore, with former Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe taking the helm as the new head coach of the New Jersey Devils, there is speculation about whether he will bring any of his former assistants to his new team.
During Savard's time with the St. Louis Blues, the team boasted the third-best power play percentage in the NHL, showcasing his coaching abilities. Mike Van Ryn, another assistant under Berube during the 2019-20 season, adds to the potential connections between Savard and the Maple Leafs' coaching staff.
The departure of Savard from the Flames adds to the ongoing shuffle in coaching staff across the NHL, with several vacancies yet to be filled. The hockey community awaits further developments as the coaching carousel continues to spin.
