The Calgary Flames brought on Marc Savard last summer to be their new power play coach under Ryan Huska. His work on the power play has been well respected for many years, and for a Flames team that has had a terrible power play for the past decade (not a joke) it seemed like a great fit.
However, that didn’t translate very well at all, as the Flames finished with the 25th best power play in the NHL this past season.
Savard and the Flames mutually parted ways last week, and Savard will join Craig Berube to coach the Toronto Maple Leafs power play instead.
One year later, the Flames need a new power play coach, and a rumour from last year is surfacing once again: could former Flame Alex Tanguay be next in line to be the new defense against the dark arts power play teacher?
Alex Tanguay’s coaching career
Right now, Tanguay is an assistant coach with the Detroit Red Wings, a position he’s held for the past three seasons. Before that, he was an assistant with the AHL’s Iowa Wild.
Tanguay is a highly regarded coach and was tagged to be an assistant with Hockey Canada at the World Championships last year. In fact, MacKenzie Weegar, who had one of the best seasons by a defenseman in NHL history, credits Tanguay for helping him get to this level:
Over Tanguay’s three years in Detroit, the power play has steadily improved, culminating in a top-10 finish this past season.
| Season | PP% | League Rank | Total PP Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-22 | 16.3 | 26 | 37 |
| 2022-23 | 21.1 | 17 | 57 |
| 2023-24 | 23.1 | 9 | 63 |
The improvement is quite impressive, and gives quite a bit of insight into what it takes to get a good power play in the NHL.
Detroit’s offensive firepower isn’t even close to the top of the league, but with a couple offensive specialists it’s possible to have a very lethal power play. As well, it can take time to develop the chemistry and master the strategies that make a power play click. In Detroit, it took three seasons and steady additions to the top unit to make this happen.
By all accounts, Tanguay is a talented coach and smart when it comes to offensive hockey strategy.
Would Tanguay come to Calgary?
The big question mark with Tanguay is whether he’d want to leave the up-and-coming Red Wings for the Flames, a team that is very much in retool mode.
I think the answer to that question is definitely a yes, however. There are a few reasons why.
The Flames are clearly building a modern, smart hockey operations group. With Craig Conroy at the helm, they’ve prioritized looking for players that fit today’s NHL, blending skill with size, and being progressive in all aspects of the organization.
It’s been a breath of fresh air, and it’s one of the major reasons why there is a newfound sense of optimism around this team where just one or two years ago it was perpetual doom and gloom.
Joining forces with former teammates and friends Conroy, Jarome Iginla, and others would be a huge draw for Tanguay. Being part of the group that hopefully brings a Stanley Cup to a Canadian market is a big deal, and Tanguay would certainly consider it.
Tanguay also has familiarity with a few members of the franchise. His impact on Weegar has been noted, but he also worked with Kent Kobelka on the staff for that Canadian World Championship team.
One of the priorities for the Flames this summer is to help reignite former superstar Jonathan Huberdeau. Who better to help with that process than a fellow Quebecois and former NHL offensive dynamo in Tanguay?
The biggest thing is a promotion. Right now, Tanguay is an assistant coach, but could easily move to Calgary if he was offered a promotion to associate coach. This has happened many times in the past, and is a common way for coaches to move to another team without any issues. This career progression makes a lot of sense given Tanguay’s success with Detroit’s power play, and is something the Flames could definitely offer.
Do you think Alex Tanguay is a good option for the Flames’ next power play coach? Let us know in the comments below or on social media!
