The Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday officially announced the hiring of Darryl Sutter as their next head coach. Sutter will be introduced in a press conference on Wednesday afternoon at Toyota Sports Center in El Segundo after practice.
Sutter replaces Terry Murray, who was fired on December 12 after a 13-12-4 start and an offensive drought that has the talented Kings last in the NHL in goals per game. The Kings were 2-2 under interim coach John Stevens, including a shootout win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday night.
Sutter, 53, becomes the 24th head coach in the history of the Kings. He has a 409-320-131 record in parts of 11 seasons with the Calgary Flames, San Jose Sharks, and Chicago Blackhawks. He led Calgary to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2004, losing in seven games to the Vancouver Canucks. Sutter also served as general manager of the Flames until he resigned in December 2010.
Sutter played in the NHL for eight seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks, amassing 161 goals and 118 assists as a left wing in 406 career games. His first game as Kings' coach will be Thursday when they host the Anaheim Ducks at Staples Center.
For more news on Darryl Sutter and Kings hockey, be sure to read Jewels From The Crown.
The Los Angeles Kings have reportedly found their replacement for head coach Terry Murray. According to multiple reports, Darryl Sutter has agreed to a multi-year contract to become the next head coach of the Kings.
Stevens has served as interim coach for two games and will reportedly coach for two more, Saturday night in Detroit and Monday in Toronto.
Sutter, 53, played for eight NHL seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks, and has a career record of 409-320-101 (.534) in parts of 12 seasons with three different teams. He guided the Calgary Flames to the 2004 Stanley Cup Finals. Sutter worked under general manager Dean Lombardi in San Jose.
Lombardi doesn't want to change the philosophy of the team. He wants to change how that philosophy is taught. Terry Murray is a nice guy, a teacher, a beneficent father figure. Darryl Sutter, for all of his obvious charms, is a snarling crazy person.
The point of (even considering) hiring him is to scare the bejesus out of everyone. Of course hiring Darryl Sutter would be more of the same. Lombardi doesn't want to change the message. He just wants it to be delivered a little more...um...colorfully.
For more news on Darryl Sutter and Kings hockey, be sure to read Jewels From The Crown.
