SAN JOSE, Calif. - Darryl Sutter changed the franchise from the bottom up, erasing a losing culture and instilling passion in his players. He gave hope, pride and victories to a city full of downtrodden hockey fans.
And just 17 months after the Sharks thanked him with a pink slip, Sutter has done it again with the Flames.
The sour-faced, soft-spoken coach's two greatest creations meet Sunday in Game 1 of the Western Conference final. This bit of serendipity apparently means nothing to Sutter, who claims his presence adds absolutely no significance to the series.
But try telling that to the Sharks who learned their craft under Sutter. They still feel Sutter's influence over their play, even while new coach Ron Wilson leads them to heights Sutter never reached in San Jose.
"Darryl was the biggest part of this organization," said goalie Evgeni Nabokov, who was transformed from an untested backup to a Calder Trophy winner during his first season with Sutter. "To go against him right now is kind of exciting. He deserved the opportunity to do what he's doing in Calgary, and I'm happy he's doing so well."
Over six seasons of steady improvement, Sutter turned the Sharks from laughingstocks into contenders, eventually winning the Pacific Division. When they regressed seven months later, he was fired Dec. 1, 2002.
"Personally it has zero, zero bearing," Sutter said. "Every team now probably has 10 guys who have moved. I mean you separate it totally. I have a ton of respect for their organization and for the players I coached over there."
Where Sutter stalled, Wilson has succeeded with a roster largely assembled by Sutter and former general manager Dean Lombardi. Wilson and new GM Doug Wilson overhauled the Sharks' style and attitude, leading them to the best season in franchise history - followed by the Sharks' first trip to the conference final and a date with Sutter.
Sutter and Ron Wilson have crossed paths countless times during two lives in hockey. They were even teammates in 1979 on an AHL team in Moncton, New Brunswick.
"We always stayed cordial and friendly," Wilson said. "I don't know him as well as everybody else in this organization, but I have a lot of respect for what he and his whole family represent, in terms of hockey and their dedication to it.
"He is going to know individuals on our team, but I wouldn't say he has an edge, because we play a completely different style of game than when he was around. The only thing that's the same is the jersey and the team name."
"Darryl helped us learn how to compete in the NHL," Sharks defenseman Mike Rathje said.
