Calgary Flames' Coach and Star Player Reportedly Clash at Each other Due to Benching

PUBLICATION

Skyler Walker
March 21, 2023 (1:28 PM)

SHARE THIS STORY

At the start of the NHL season, the Calgary Flames and experts alike believed that Brad Treliving had saved the team from disaster. The losses of Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk were compensated by the additions of Nazem Kadri, Jonathan Huberdeau, and Mackenzie Weegar. As a result, the Flames were expected to be among the top contenders in the Pacific Division.

However, the Flames are now struggling to keep up with their playoff aspirations. They are currently four points behind the Winnipeg Jets for the last Wild Card spot, a far cry from battling for supremacy in the Pacific Division.

Earlier this year, Allan Walsh, the agent for Jonathan Huberdeau, criticized Flames Head Coach Darryl Sutter for his coaching methods. Sutter's comment to the press that Huberdeau was "taking a shit" while he was actually receiving treatment for an injury sparked the criticism.

It appears that Nazem Kadri, another new addition to the Flames, is also experiencing difficulties with Sutter. After the Flames' 3-2 loss to the Dallas Stars, Elliotte Friedman reported that tensions between Kadri and Sutter reached a breaking point.

Nazem Kadri has been outspoken about his observations in Calgary this season and the reasons for the team's underperformance.

He's been candid about the communication issues between players and the coach.

Tensions reached a peak on Saturday night.

Kadri's frustration intensified when he was benched for most of the third period and the entire overtime. That now makes 3 or 4 former, or current Flames players to call out Daryl Sutter this season.