Utica Comets head coach Travis Green was on TEAM1040 on Friday, talking about the Canucks prospects and his thoughts for the future.
Here's the link if you'd like to listen to the whole interview:
Green talked about his decision to stay in Utica rather than taking the assistant coaching job in Pittsburgh with the Penguins. He'd been an assistant under Mike Johnston with the Portland Winterhawks, and served as interim head coach in Portland when Johnston was suspended during 2012-13.
Green said he had a great experience in Portland but felt that, for him, his coaching path to the NHL would go through the American League, just as it does for players. Thinks he's better served as a head coach and also touched on the loyalty factor—said he preaches loyalty to his players and felt that, because he signed a contract with the Canucks and they gave him a chance, he should see that through.
He also talked about how pleased he is with the foundation that Trevor Linden and Jim Benning are putting in place, and that he feels they're doing the right things to build something special.
Talking about this year's development camp, Green said he felt the overall talent level was higher than last year and that last year's draft picks came in looking stronger and better. He praised the work that Stan Smyl and Ryan Johnson do as part of the development team, working with the players all year round.
As far as looking at individual players who could be part of the Comets next season:
- Hunter Shinkaruk: looks good, looks healthy, has his legs back underneath him, has a lot of energy in his game
- Brendan Gaunce: has picked up half a step, as they'd hoped. That was the concern with his game last year
- Dane Fox: competitive kid, scored a couple of goals in the scrimmage on Friday, has a real knack for the net
Green also praises the Canucks' new acquisitions at forward—Bonino, Vey, Dorsett and, of course, Vrbata. Says the Comets didn't play against Vey with the Manchester Monarchs last year, but he's heard good things about him and figures he was just stuck behind a bunch of very good players in the Los Angeles Kings' system.
Green points out that the Kings have done a great job of using their AHL affiliate to bring in important young players late in the season during both their Cup-winning runs. Says it's the equivalent of trading for useful new players. In 2012, it was Dwight King and Jordan Nolan; this year, it was Tanner Pearson and Tyler Toffoli.
When asked about the changes to the AHL overtime structure, Green says he likes the idea in principal. The AHL had a record-setting number of shootouts last year, so the new system will be a seven-minute overtime. The first four minutes will be played four-on-four and if no one scores, the last three minutes will go down to three-on-three.
Green says he thinks the three-on-three will be exciting for the fans, but says he really won't have an opinion till he sees how the new system plays out on the ice.
We've seen other rule changes, like hybrid icing, tested out in the AHL before being introduced at the NHL level. I think this is a really interesting initiative that has potential. As FIFA takes heat for continuing to break ties in World Cup elimination matches with penalty kicks, it's nice to see hockey looking for ways to end games that better reflect the nature of the game itself.
Schroeder Goes Home:
The Minnesota wild announced on Friday that they've signed Jordan Schroeder to a two-year contract. Schroeder, of course, is a Minnesota native who also starred at the University of Minnesota before joining the Canucks organization.
It's never a good feeling to see a former first-round draft pick leaving the organization with no return, but Wild beat writer Mike Russo is pencilling in Schroeder for the AHL.
Click here to read his blog, including some nice history on how angry Wild fans were back in the day that the organization didn't draft Schroeder.
Schroeder will have to clear waivers before being sent to the minors, so he'll be available at no charge once again if he's sent down to Iowa. The Wild seem to suffer an extraordinary amount of injuries every season, so he might eventually find himself called up to the big club. If he does remain a minor-leaguer, it's just as well that he's not playing with Utica. Better to keep those roster spaces open to develop young talent.
Schroeder made $600,000 with the Canucks last year. CapGeek.com has not yet posted the details of his new deal.
Vancouver Canucks Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»