SUTTER WON'T COACH.

Byline: Staff and Wire Services

Darryl Sutter stepped away from coaching Wednesday, but it might be harder to pull away than he thinks.

At a news conference announcing longtime assistant Jim Playfair will take over as the Calgary Flames head coach, Sutter had a hard time Wednesday letting the new guy finish his sentences.

``Don't overlook the fact that it's about the team and there's a time for your veterans, your skilled players and your top players to assume responsibility,'' said Sutter, who will focus on the general manager duties he added in 2003.

``It's not about one person or a spotlight, it's about the whole organization taking control.''

Playfair believes that will only help as the club focuses on capturing a Stanley Cup.

``Absolutely we'll butt heads: that's part of the deal,'' Playfair said. ``It's why and how you get better.''

Playfair has spent the past three seasons as a Flames assistant after two-plus seasons as head coach of the organization's AHL affiliate in Saint John, New Brunswick. Sutter became coach of the Flames in 2002 but found it difficult at times to manage both jobs.

Canadiens wheel, deal: The Montreal Canadiens re-signed goalie David Aebischer to a $1.9 million, one-year contract and also signed free-agent forward Sergei Samsonov, who played with Edmonton last season, to a two-year contract.

The Canadiens also traded winger Richard Zednik to Washington and acquired winger Mike Johnson from Phoenix.

Zednik, who began his NHL career with Washington, went back to the Capitals for a third-round draft pick in 2007. The Canadiens acquired the 31-year-old Johnson in exchange for a fourth-round pick next year.

McCauley on board: Kings forward Alyn McCauley was one of five players elected to serve on the NHL players' association executive board. McCauley, Kevyn Adams, Wade Redden, Mathieu Schneider and Marty Turco comprise, while will elect an interim president after Trevor Linden stepped down this week.

Also, the Kings signed center Gabe Gauthier to a two-year, entry-level contract. Gauthier, 22, is a Buena Park native who recently completed his college career at the University of Denver.

-- Rich Hammond

Also: Defenseman John-Michael Liles re-signed with Colorado, agreeing to a two-year contract. The Avalanche also agreed to terms with defenseman Jeff Finger and free-agent forwards Ben Guite, Matt Murley and Mark Rycroft. ... Dmitry Afanasenkov re-signed with Tampa Bay, accepting the team's one-year, $738,045 qualifying offer. ... Carolina agreed to terms on two-year contracts with forwards Keith Aucoin and Dave Gove.

CAPTION(S):

photo

Photo:

Darryl Sutter stepped down as Calgary coach, but will retain his GM duties.

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images