Flames Give Coaching Job to Sutter

It took less than a month for Darryl Sutter to find a new team.

Sutter was hired as coach of the Calgary Flames on Saturday and will make his debut tonight against the Mighty Ducks. He was fired by the San Jose Sharks on Dec. 1 after an 8-12-2-2 start.

“It’s a thrill, it gives me shivers,” Sutter said.

Calgary fired Greg Gilbert on Dec. 3. Gilbert was in his second full season as coach after taking over the team in March 2001, when Don Hay was fired.

Al MacNeil, the special assistant to General Manager Craig Button, was the interim coach.

Sutter’s name was among the first to surface as a potential candidate when the Flames fired Gilbert and assistant Brad McCrimmon. Sutter’s family has roots in Alberta and his brother, Brian, coached the Flames for three seasons.

In little more than five seasons with the Sharks, Sutter had a regular-season record of 192-182-60.

“This is not a short-term deal for me,” Sutter said. “I want the identity of the Calgary Flames back to where it was -- this is a tough town, a tough place to play. Just to restore that is really important.”

Last season, Sutter became just the second coach in league history to guide his team to five consecutive seasons of point improvement. He led the Sharks to a club-record five consecutive playoff berths.

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Todd Simpson of the Phoenix Coyotes was suspended for two games without pay by the league for high-sticking King forward Ian Laperriere.

In the second period of Thursday’s game between the Coyotes and Kings, Simpson was assessed minor penalties for roughing, unsportsmanlike conduct and high-sticking.

Simpson, suspended for three games in November for high-sticking Rob DiMaio of Dallas, is considered a repeat offender under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement.

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Goalie Tom Barrasso cleared waivers and was released by the St. Louis Blues.

Barrasso, 37, was signed as a free agent Nov. 4 during a rash of goalie injuries. He was 1-4 in six games with a 3.28 goals-against average and an .879 save percentage.

He had been expected to compete with Fred Brathwaite for the backup job behind Brent Johnson, but has not played since injuring his back Nov. 29.

Barrasso is 369-277-86 with a 3.25 goals-against average and 38 shutouts in 777 games.