Page Calls Flames ‘Immoral’

Pierre Page sold his Calgary home to the first prospective buyers to walk through the front door. Now if only the rest of his move to Anaheim would go as smoothly.

“I just know it’s immoral what Calgary is doing,” Page said Wednesday. “Legally, they don’t have a leg to stand on. I was a general manager for four years [with Quebec from 1990 to 1994] and I could not do what Calgary is doing. I can’t remember a situation where somebody is not getting paid and isn’t allowed to work.”

So Page waits patiently by the phone, awaiting word on a truce between the Mighty Ducks, his future employer, and the Calgary Flames, his past one.

So far this week, the bickering seems to be intensifying and Page is no closer to becoming the Ducks’ second coach in their five-year history.

The Ducks learned Monday what the Flames want as compensation for hiring Page, but General Manager Jack Ferreira balked at paying such a steep price. Ferreira vowed to wait until Page, who resigned June 18 with one season left on a three-year contract with Calgary, becomes a free agent Oct. 1.

Calgary General Manager Al Coates apparently isn’t willing to budge from five possible compensation packages that include a combination of prospects and draft picks. Coates did not return phone calls Wednesday, but told the Calgary Sun, “Our position has been stated. It’s unchanged.”

Ferreira said he did not talk to Coates on Wednesday. Asked whether a compromise could be struck soon, Ferreira said, “I have no idea. I’ll probably just hire another assistant coach and go from there.”

If a compromise isn’t reached, assistant coach Walt Kyle and a new assistant will direct training camp and coach exhibition games until Page is hired.

Page believes the Flames are simply being petty, upset that he resigned after he was unable to secure a three-year contract extension.

“If I was getting paid, I could see [Calgary] saying I can’t work,” Page said. “I’m not getting paid. This is illegal and immoral. You could sue, but I’d rather have it get resolved [out of court] first.

“It’s two organizations locking horns. People want to have their own way. I’m sure the league will get involved. I’m sure common sense will prevail. A solution is probably just around the corner.”

Page, who worked with Ferreira for six seasons in Calgary and two more in Minnesota in the 1980s, believes it will be worth the wait to coach the Ducks.

He met with Ferreira and team President Tony Tavares over the holiday weekend, toured the Pond of Anaheim and watched several Angel games.

Before he returned to Calgary, Ferreira told Page, “We’ll do our best to get this resolved.”

Said Page: “I’m willing to put up with any hassles. There are only 26 NHL coaching jobs out there.”

Of possibly waiting until Oct. 1 to be hired, he added, “I have no problem with that. I’d prefer not to wait, but any hassle is worth the hassle in our business.

“I’ve got to be patient.”

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Ferreira hopes to soon sign Espen Knutsen, a flashy center from Norway. Knutsen’s agent is pushing for a guaranteed contract worth as much as $925,000, but Ferreira only wants to shell out the big bucks if the 1994 Norwegian Olympian plays in the NHL.

“He’s a pretty good player,” Ferreira said. “Great name, huh?”