Calgary — In all his years in hockey, Darryl Sutter has never missed the playoffs. Not as a minor-hockey player, not as a professional player, not even as a National Hockey League coach.

But that string of success is about to be put to its harshest test now that Sutter is head coach of the floundering Calgary Flames.

Fired on Dec. 1 by the San Jose Sharks, Sutter resurfaced Saturday as the 13th head coach in Flames history. He was presented to the Calgary media at a morning news conference, introduced to his players an hour later and was able to run a single practice before taking his place behind the team's bench for last night's game against the visiting Anaheim Mighty Ducks.

The Flames had been without a permanent coach since Dec. 3 when they fired Greg Gilbert and assistant coach Brad McCrimmon. Al MacNeil, the team's special assistant to the general manager, had filled in on an interim basis and compiled a 4-5-2 record.

"We've got a tough job, all of us together," Sutter said, referring to the fact the Flames are 11 points out of a playoff spot in the Western Conference. "I really believe with 46 games left we can do a lot to re-establish our identity. . . . We're going to make Calgary proud of the Flames."

Sutter, whose brother Brian coached the Flames from 1997 to 2000, reportedly agreed to a three-year deal with Calgary. He declined to discuss specifics but it is believed he is the best-paid coach in Flames history. His salary with the Sharks was $800,000 (U.S.) and Sutter needed time to reach a settlement with San Jose before joining the Flames.

"I've always said you can't propose marriage so soon after a divorce," Calgary general manager Craig Button said. "Darryl needed time to divest himself from San Jose and I was prepared to give him that time. That's why this process [of finding a new coach] took awhile."

Sutter's name was among the first to surface as a potential coaching candidate in Calgary. Given the Sutter family roots — the six hockey-playing Sutter brothers were born in Viking, Alta. — many NHL observers considered Darryl the obvious choice for the Flames. Last season in San Jose, Sutter led the Sharks to a franchise-best 99 points and a fifth consecutive playoff appearance.

What complicated matters in Calgary was the front-office bickering over which man was the right choice to coach a team that has missed the playoffs for six consecutive seasons. At various times, Calgary's management group, which included team president Ken King, spoke to Bob Gainey, Scotty Bowman, Larry Robinson, Kevin Constantine and Ted Nolan.

Nolan, who was chosen the NHL's coach of the year when he was with the Buffalo Sabres, was the popular pick among local fans. Insiders have suggested that Nolan performed poorly in his interview and subsequently dropped from the list.

That turned things back to Sutter, who brings his trademark ferocity and relentless work ethic to a team that has struggled all season. His hiring, however, does not resolve the fact Button's contract is up at the end of this season and that he could soon be replaced by Lanny McDonald, the Flames' executive assistant to hockey operations.

"I'm not as concerned about that. I'm concerned about doing what I can control," Button said. "The most important thing for me was to make sure we had a coach that could lead us, guide us and get us to the level we feel we're capable of doing. I feel satisfied we're there today. Ken King and I will take the appropriate time and we'll discuss what needs to be discussed with regards to myself. My intentions are clear: I want to be here for the long haul."

Sutter was expected to bring his San Jose assistant coach Rich Preston with him to Calgary but that may not happen for a time, if at all. For now, Sutter will lean heavily on the Flames' existing group of assistants (Brian Skrudland, Jamie Hislop, Rob Cookson) and MacNeil, who may stay on the bench until Sutter feels more comfortable.

Asked what he thought of the team he was inheriting, Sutter replied: "I think they're an aggressive team. They can challenge teams in terms of work ethic. We have to learn how to be better workers in terms of smart work. This team needs an identity. They just can't say they work hard and we have to create that."

The Flames play five of their next six games at home and are eager to make sure Sutter's run of playoff success continues.