Philosophical differences between coach Brent Sutter and captain Jarome Iginla do not bode well for the Flames. (Colleen De Neve/ZUMAPRESS.com)

Coaches are hired to be fired, as the saying goes. But what happens in between cements the perception we have of the guys who stand behind the bench in the NHL, the ones who prepare their teams in long hours of meetings and video study. It’s a hard job, especially when fans, the media and even the players believe they know better than the coach what a team should be doing.

That seems to be the situation in which Flames coach Brent Sutter finds himself vis a vis his captain Jarome Iginla. Sutter believes his team won’t be the consistent force it can be unless everyone buys into his scheme, and that Calgary will continue to play as a bunch of individuals and not realize the potential of its collective talents. Specifically, he wants Iginla — the 15-year NHL veteran who has topped the 1,000 point plateau and is only 11 goals away from 500 — to concentrate on his defensive game.

Right now, the 34-year-old Iginla is minus-12, with only five goals and four assists — not vintage Iggy.

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After three seasons without a playoff appearance, Maple Leafs coach Ron Wilson is quite likely on notice, his assistants having been replaced, reportedly against his wishes. (Photo by Nick Turchiaro/Icon SMI)

Coaches are hired to be fired, the cliché goes, and it’s a given every NHL season that some of the guys behind the bench will not make it to Game 82 while some will … and still be gone at season’s end.

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Time may be running out on coach Brent Sutter (left), who has been trying to spark an aging squad that's steeped in mediocrity. (Gerry Thomas/Getty Images)

Ladies and gentlemen, introducing the NHL’s self-immolating franchise, the Calgary Flames.

There are pretty bad stories surrounding some NHL clubs right now. The New York Islanders’ team photo could be the dictionary illustration for the word “woeful.” The Toronto Maple Leafs, who last night lost for the 16th time in their last 20 games, were called “the worst team $1 billion can buy” in The Globe and Mail. The New Jersey Devils, from whom much was expected, seem to have fallen into a sinkhole from which they cannot extricate themselves.

The Flames, who this morning reside in the Western Conference basement, seem intent on joining those three teams. Calgary’s current situation is made all the more glum by the recent play of their bitter provincial rival, the despised Edmonton Oilers, who just completed a three-game sweep of Canada’s eastern teams (using a different goaltender in each victory) and whose infant players are showing the first signs of growth (which is the only conclusion you can come to when 18-year-old top draft choice Taylor Hall gets booed in Montreal).

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