Flames And Assistant Coach Marc Savard Mutually Part Ways

23/05/2024 01:06

After just one season behind the bench in Calgary, the Flames announced that they and assistant coach Marc Savard have mutually parted ways.  GM Craig Conroy released the following statement on the move:

We would like to thank Marc for his commitment last season and also for his professionalism during this process to arrive at today's decision. We wish Marc success with his future endeavors in the game.

Savard joined Calgary last June, joining Ryan Huska's staff after he was appointed as their new bench boss.  It was his first time being back behind an NHL bench since the 2019-20 season when he was with St. Louis.  In between that time, Savard spent two years as head coach with OHL Windsor which helped get him back on the NHL coaching radar.

Savard was responsible for running Calgary's forward group and power play this season, units that didn't exactly light it up.  The Flames scored seven fewer goals than 2022-23 while they had just a 17.7% success rate on the man advantage, good for 26th league-wide after being 18th the year before.  Of course, it bears mentioning that they moved out their two top point-getters from 2022-23 in Tyler Toffoli and Elias Lindholm which certainly wouldn't have helped things.

Savard's time with St. Louis is notable as there has been speculation that Toronto head coach Craig Berube would be interested in adding Savard to his staff.  That outcome is a lot easier to make happen now as a result of Savard parting ways with the Flames.