Article content continued

On paper, this team is too good to miss the playoffs by as much as it did. (The Flames are much closer in the standings to the Edmonton Oilers than they are to a playoff spot.)

After squeaking into the playoffs last year and getting swept by the Anaheim Ducks, the Flames were expected to not only be in the post-season but make some noise while there.

Instead, they took a giant step backwards with a two-month collapse that exposed character flaws that will require moves of significance this summer to remedy.

The coach will likely be the first victim.

When asked about Gulutzan’s future earlier this week, Treliving shocked no one by refusing to comment, other than to remind the questioner, “he’s a good coach.”

Good coaches get fired every year, in every sport.

So do good people, which, again, is why these players will regret costing Gulutzan a job.

They like and respect the guy, but clearly they have a funny way of showing it.

Speculation has run rampant of late there may be a spate of coach firings on what some suggest will be like the NFL’s Black Monday.

The Chicago Blackhawks officially took Joel Quenneville off that potential list Thursday when it was announced by the team he would return next year despite authoring his first losing record in 21 seasons.

It was a significant development as fewer firings put less of an impetus on hasty coaching decisions following the final game. The more coaches who are fired, the greater chance a team on the fence would jettison its coach, with an eye on plucking a recently unemployed candidate out of the pile.

It’s unlikely Gulutzan would be fired Monday as Treliving has always prided himself on taking the emotion out of decisions and taking a measured approach to figuring out how best to proceed. The GM will want Gulutzan’s thoughts and feedback on the season.

Keep in mind Hartley wasn’t fired until May 3, 2016 – more than three weeks after exit meetings with players, giving Treliving ample time to figure out which people were part of the problem and who should be part of the solution.

Don’t be surprised if his decision on Gulutzan takes that long.

In terms of coaching options, Darryl Sutter’s name will spark endless local debate, as will Willie Desjardins and Dave Tippett, who coached with the Arizona Coyotes while Treliving was their assistant GM.

One of the more intriguing fits would be Carolina Hurricanes head coach Bill Peters, who has strong Alberta ties and would love to return to the west if his stint with the Hurricanes comes to an end. He was the coach Treliving had when overseeing Canada’s entry at the 2016 world championships.

Had this team lived up to expectations, there’s little doubt Gulutzan would’ve been a shoo-in to finish the third and final year of his contract next season.

However, his players not only let the city and the organization down, they’ve left a good coach twisting in the wind.

Shame on them.

efrancis@postmedia.com