NHL Offseason Thread -- Vancouver Edition (NHL Offseason / NHL Golf Tourney)

[Asher]

Dave Nonis, GM of Vancouver, FIRED.

Reported just now on CBC.

[notyoueither]

Understandable, but not expected.

[Asher]

Now who's going to draft for Vancouver?

Maybe they could see if Linden wants to be a GM.

[Kontiki]

Maybe Burke will come back. Not totally out of the realm of possibility.

[Asher]

Why would he come back to that shitfest?

[Asher]

!!

Nashville scores 9 seconds apart!

Went from 3-2 Detroit to 4-3 Nashville!

Few minutes left!

[snoopy369]

Nashville

[Asher]

Meant to post that in the other thread. This is the off-season one.

[Flubber]

Originally posted by notyoueither
Understandable, but not expected.

All true but word on local sports radio here is that Nonis was sacked mainly for failing to get a scorer at the deadline this year--- but at the same time the Canucks ownership were very involved in telling him not to trade away prospects-- so he didn't really have a free hand (and its not like good scorers are generally given away)

Bottom line is they missed the playoffs but just barely and their defense WAS decimated with injury-- so it strikes me as a little unfair-- I probably would have given the guy and the team he built one more year-- See if he could pick up a scorer in the off-season--- Maybe he could pick up Huselius

[Ninot]

Does anyone else hope that Brian Burke doesn't go anywhere? Stupid TV stations hoping that Vancouver or Toronto will hire him

[Asher]

I'm with you.

[notyoueither]

Originally posted by Flubber


All true but word on local sports radio here is that Nonis was sacked mainly for failing to get a scorer at the deadline this year--- but at the same time the Canucks ownership were very involved in telling him not to trade away prospects-- so he didn't really have a free hand (and its not like good scorers are generally given away)

Bottom line is they missed the playoffs but just barely and their defense WAS decimated with injury-- so it strikes me as a little unfair-- I probably would have given the guy and the team he built one more year-- See if he could pick up a scorer in the off-season--- Maybe he could pick up Huselius

Beyond unfair, but fairness has little to do with it.

Idiotic on the part of the new owners would be more accurate.

Nonis was/is not a bad GM. In case anyone failed to notice, trading of big names is way down lately. You need to pay more attention to building prospects and Nonis seemed to be able to do that.

He did come out on the better end of one of the major trades of the last few years, and he seemed to be a frontrunner for one of the bigger free agent signings from Europe recently.

The jist of what I've heard that makes sense is that the new owners are very hands on with their new toy. Nonis wasn't their boy and he failed to say yes enough for their liking. This bodes very ill for the prospects of one of the longer suffering franchises.

I'd feel bad for them, but they are divisional rivals of the Oilers. I'm still not celebrating even though by all rights I should be. It has all the makings of a very sad story for Canucks fans.

[Ben Kenobi]

Gosh, thanks asher for the thread, I just found out today about the firing of Nonis.

Couple of points here.

I completely agree with NYE that the Aquilinis wanted their man in this year. Naslund's contract is up. They have significant cap space. They have depth on the farm, and they have probably the best defense in terms of the top 7 men in the entire league, as well as the best goaltender.

All these are arguments for keeping Nonis on for his last year of his contract and resigning him for another two years.

He's addressed historical problems with the Canucks, he has drafted well and we've become much better since he's been here.

After 2004, we knew the team needed significant rebuilding in order to be successful. That usually means several years out of the playoffs. We would have finished out of the playoffs in 2006-7 without Luongo's incredible improvement over the last half of the season under Vigneault.

However, I think the Nonis and Vigneault era is done. They were never more then 'transitional' coach and a GM. The Canucks needed a rebuilding period, and this coming year will be the last one. We will get rid of Naslund and the last of the Burke era, and will have the cap space to renew the forwards entirely.

What this means is that the Canucks squad needs a new system, rather then Nonis. A new GM and a new coach. We need to shift from stocking up prospects and building up depth to making the bold and decisive moves needed to get the team over the hump.

Yes, Nonis was a good GM. Yes he did a good job with the Canucks for the period, the same way the Vigneault's system worked much better while he was here. Did he deserve to be fired? No. Will the Canucks be better off with him gone? It depends on who they hire.

I'm going to reserve my opinion on this move until I see who Aquilini hires. You have to remember NYE, that this team FINALLY has local ownership again, and they no longer are owned by Orca Bay. So we can FINALLY ditch the stupid whale logos put out by McCaw.

The second thing, is it depends on what Nonis told Acquilini earlier. Now, let's say Nonis comes to Acqilini, and Nonis told him that the plan was to keep Naslund and Morrison, but resign Naslund for less. Then he would let the younger players, Naslund, Burrows, Kesler, Shannon, Raymond and Hanson, along with the Sedins grow into their positions.

A fine plan.

However, does that really translate into success next year, or more of the same? Fans here in Vancouver are sick and tired of the Vigneault crap system.

We want the old run and gun of the past and now we have the goalie and the defense to make it happen. Now, we just need the top talent, rather then 3 number 2 lines on the team.

To sum it up,

we are ok with WINNING ugly, just don't LOSE ugly.

[Ben Kenobi]

I'm still not celebrating even though by all rights I should be

I'll take this as a sign, that you don't really mind the Canucks staying pat, rather then making some bold moves.

[Ben Kenobi]

See if he could pick up a scorer in the off-season--- Maybe he could pick up Huselius

Huselius wouldn't fix the problems with this offense.

Let me make it clear to you.

Linden was the top offensive scorer in the playoffs last year.

Last ten games, there were no points by either Sedin. The only line that was scoring was the linden line and the Kesler line.

The Sedins have had two years to prove they are top line offensive talent. 29 goals from Daniel is unacceptable. They have failed.

We need a true first line. That means some bold moves in the offseason this year.

[Ben Kenobi]

Maybe Burke will come back. Not totally out of the realm of possibility.

Why would we want him again?

[notyoueither]

Originally posted by Ben Kenobi
However, I think the Nonis and Vigneault era is done. They were never more then 'transitional' coach and a GM. The Canucks needed a rebuilding period, and this coming year will be the last one. We will get rid of Naslund and the last of the Burke era, and will have the cap space to renew the forwards entirely.

What this means is that the Canucks squad needs a new system, rather then Nonis. A new GM and a new coach. We need to shift from stocking up prospects and building up depth to making the bold and decisive moves needed to get the team over the hump.

Only problem with this as the blueprint for a franchise is that there are very few bold moves to be made.

The window for major trades involving committed salary is the end of the SCF to the middle of July. After that, most teams have the major parts of their budgets or the cap committed.

You can try to land the big UFAs, but there is a lot of bidding for any decent ones that come available so they are going to be the most expensive solution and then there is a history of Canadian teams having difficulty in attracting the top ones. On top of that, you get years like this one upcoming where the selection isn't that great.

I wouldn't hold out hope for this next season being the breakthrough, Ben. To begin with the Canucks likely won't have a GM before the closing of the trade window and while the limited number of UFAs are unsigned.

And then there is the frightening prospect (for Canucks fans) that the new owners consider themselves to be capable GMs/ very involved owners.

I could be wrong about all of the above, but it has the makings of the beginnings of some very bad moves for the Canucks.

[Ben Kenobi]

Only problem with this as the blueprint for a franchise is that there are very few bold moves to be made.

Fair enough, it's not a great crop for the UFA's, that's for sure. But the Canucks are in good shape, and better then Edmonton. It's not like the situation in Toronto.

The window for major trades involving committed salary is the end of the SCF to the middle of July. After that, most teams have the major parts of their budgets or the cap committed.

You honestly believe it will be after July when we get a new GM?

There is still another month, maybe two of hockey.

I wouldn't hold out hope for this next season being the breakthrough, Ben. To begin with the Canucks likely won't have a GM before the closing of the trade window and while the limited number of UFAs are unsigned.

Doubt that. I expect there to be a new GM in at most a couple of weeks. I can't believe Aquilini wouldn't have had someone already lined up before firing Nonis. It would go against everything I know about him. You don't fire a subordinate, especially not one that has performed well without having his replacement ready.

I could be wrong about all of the above, but it has the makings of the beginnings of some very bad moves for the Canucks.

What if the Canucks made Tambellini the new GM? They could make a show of interviewing other ones, and hire him right away.

He was recommended as being a good GM back before Burke left, and it was somewhat a surprise when it was Nonis hired instead of Tambellini.

Anyways, I'd put even money on Tambellini being hired quickly as the GM in place of Nonis. I don't expect there to be a long delay.

[Asher]

Vancouver to appoint...Mike Gillis...as new GM...


http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=2355...s=secStory_nhl

CANUCKS SET TO MAKE AGENT MIKE GILLIS NEW GM

The Vancouver Canucks are poised to make Mike Gillis their new general manager.

According to a Global Television report, the club is expected to make the official announcement on Wednesday.

Gillis is a player agent and he played 246 games in the NHL with the Colorado Rockies and Boston Bruins.

The Canucks fired former general manager Dave Nonis on April 14th after the team failed to make the playoffs.

This tool is Naslund's agent. How much do you want to bet the Canucks re-sign Naslund?

[Ben Kenobi]

Edit-

TSN is jumping the gun.

They haven't decided yet.

[Asher]

They haven't announced it yet but both Global and CTV have independently confirmed it'll be announced tomorrow.

[Ben Kenobi]

Gillis was also Pavel's agent.

He has a long history with the team.

Not the choice I would have made or predicted, but it's the end of two things.

1. Orca Bay
2. Burke Era.

The next to go will be Vigneault.

[Asher]

It's ****ing nepotism, and you guys are ****ed long-term.

[Ben Kenobi]

Fine. I'll bet my avatar again that the Canucks will finish ahead of Calgary this time next year.

Game?

[Asher]

Why the **** would I bet on next season before we even know the rosters?

Get lost.

[Ben Kenobi]

Mr. Confident.

Oh well.

All talk.

[Asher]

You're such...an...interesting...individual.

I'm confident that giving the agent of your most heartless, invisible player full reign on the team isn't going to be the best thing to do.

I'm not confident to wager how Vancouver and Calgary will both do next season without even the ****ing rosters announced.

That's not being "all talk", it's called having a ****ing clue. I'd suggest you try it some time, but I know you resist the idea.

[Ben Kenobi]

I'm honoured you started a thread just for me.

Really.

[Asher]

It's not just for you, it's for the NHL Off-season. Vancouver is just in the title since I don't like you. And also cause they're the only team to actually make a move in the off-season so far.

[-Jrabbit]

You're such...an...interesting...individual.

Excellent show of restraint, Asher. And on the night the Flames go down, too.
Impressive.