Flames’ Hiring May Help Ducks in Bid to Get Page

Now that the Calgary Flames have their man, perhaps it will be easier for the Mighty Ducks to get theirs.

The Flames hired Brian Sutter as coach Thursday and now maybe they will be more willing to discuss compensation so the Ducks can hire former Calgary coach Pierre Page.

Duck General Manager Jack Ferreira, who expects to learn today what Calgary wants as compensation, watched Thursday night’s Angel-Dodger game with Page from team President Tony Tavares’ box at Anaheim Stadium.

“I called them twice today, but they hired their coach today,” Ferreira said. “They left a message saying they would get back to me [today]. Nothing has been worked out yet. Obviously, we can talk to Pierre, but we’re not going to discuss anything about a contract until we know what the compensation is with Calgary.

“I wanted Pierre to come in and see [the Pond of Anaheim] and meet some people he hasn’t had a chance to meet before.”

If the teams can’t agree on compensation, Ferreira said he has an alternative that would require going without a coach until October.

When Page quit June 18, Calgary General Manager Al Coates accepted his resignation with the condition that he not sign a contract with another Pacific Division team until the Flames received compensation. The agreement ends Oct. 1, however.

Ferreira said he’s willing to wait. Of course, that would mean the Ducks would be without a coach during training camp in September. Then again, Ron Wilson missed much of last season’s training camp while coaching Team USA to the World Cup of Hockey championship.

As was the case last season, assistant Walt Kyle would run training camp and coach exhibition games.

It’s unlikely the Ducks would lose Page to another team. With the hiring of Sutter by Calgary, only the Ducks, Buffalo Sabres and Philadelphia Flyers are seeking new coaches, and Page is not a candidate in Buffalo or Philadelphia.

Sutter, who inherits a team that was 32-41-9 and missed the playoffs last season under Page, was coach of the year in 1991 with the Boston Bruins. The Bruins fired him in 1995. Sutter also coached the St. Louis Blues from 1988-92.

Coates refused to reveal terms of Sutter’s contract to reporters during Thursday’s press conference.

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Times staff writer Chris Foster contributed to this story.