My worry, as someone who does root for the Canucks, is that Gillis will wait too long as he's apparently done here. His patience, while a good thing at times, could be a huge problem in this hiring process.
- Michael_Stuart

Exactly. Will be interesting to see how this plays out. I'm gonna cry if it ends up being a guy like Ruff, Stevens, Maurice, etc.

There goes Eakins(great fit for Edmonton IMO). I wonder if MG's patience will hurt him yet again and he might have to end up settling for the 2nd or 3rd guy on his list with Dallas and the Rangers hiring as well.
- Nucker101

Well the assumption being made is that Eakins wanted to coach here, or would have accepted an offer.

I'm not so sure.

There goes Eakins(great fit for Edmonton IMO). I wonder if MG's patience will hurt him yet again and he might have to end up settling for the 2nd or 3rd guy on his list with Dallas and the Rangers hiring as well.
- Nucker101

I wish Eakins the best but he is not a fit for the Canucks right now. I dont know who is but I think someone with presence in the locker room would be good for our current core to light a fire under their ass....

There goes Eakins(great fit for Edmonton IMO). I wonder if MG's patience will hurt him yet again and he might have to end up settling for the 2nd or 3rd guy on his list with Dallas and the Rangers hiring as well.
- Nucker101

AV will get one of those two jobs.

There goes Eakins(great fit for Edmonton IMO). I wonder if MG's patience will hurt him yet again and he might have to end up settling for the 2nd or 3rd guy on his list with Dallas and the Rangers hiring as well.
- Nucker101

Did they even fire Kruger before hiring Eakins? If they did I don't remember it...lol.

Exactly. Will be interesting to see how this plays out. I'm gonna cry if it ends up being a guy like Ruff, Stevens, Maurice, etc.
- Nucker101

As much as everyone always disagrees with me, I'll continue to say that Boucher is a good fit for the Canucks. I get that I'm biased, but I do want the Canucks to succeed. Boucher is a motivator and, based on what I've seen from the Canucks core over the last two playoff years, that's exactly what the team needs.

Did they even fire Kruger before hiring Eakins? If they did I don't remember it...lol.
- djamon

Rumor is the news conference at 3 is to announce the dismissal of Krueger....

Under what criteria? The fact that he's never had more than 16 minutes/game or the fact that he currently plays for the Marlies?
- djamon

Your definition of a core player is based solely on minutes? Teams some times play players out of necessity, a lot of factors go into ice time. Not a good measuring stick, but I know you'll run with it because it's all you've got.

Did they even fire Kruger before hiring Eakins? If they did I don't remember it...lol.
- djamon

Press conference is in 6 minutes.

AV will get one of those two jobs.
- A_SteamingLombardi

Agreed.

As much as everyone always disagrees with me, I'll continue to say that Boucher is a good fit for the Canucks. I get that I'm biased, but I do want the Canucks to succeed. Boucher is a motivator and, based on what I've seen from the Canucks core over the last two playoff years, that's exactly what the team needs.
- Michael_Stuart

I wouldn't be jumping for joy, but I wouldn't be upset by it either like I would if it was a Ruff or Stevens hire. I think Boucher could do well with a good goalie.

Gulutzan didn't really do much in Dallas. I like Willie Desjardins though. (frank) no to John Stevens.
- Nucker101

He did plenty what he had. I like everything I've heard him say.

- doesn't believe in excessive line juggling (beyond a search for guys who click) because he understands how important chemistry/continuity/familiarity/trust are on the ice

- he himself was a center who played with leadership & grit... knows what it takes to win... had vision & understands hockey IQ/which skillsets work together (something AV & Bowness will NEVER understand)

- flexible enough to use what he's given to its highest potential... What you saw in Dallas won't be what you see in Vancouver with the pieces available to him

I'm not a troll just because I registered 10 days ago. I've been visiting this site for years. Settle down...it's OK for someone to have a different opinion than you. I live in Victoria and have watched the Canucks closely for a long time. I ain't making this sh-- up.

It's amazing the semantics and minutiae you folks will argue. I saw you guys female doging about Gillis mercilessly a month ago. Now someone else comes in and says the same things and all Hell breaks loose.

Bunch of soccer Moms.
- djamon

Just seems odd that a Leaf fan, so recently registered, would spend so much time arguing in a Canuck blog. You are entitled to your opinion, but when you try and pass off your opinion as fact, you will get called out every time.

Wow...I didn't realize this was such a sore point...lol. I just disagree is all. My evaluation is always based on his contract...and I thought his contract was way high for one good year. I know he's a local kid so I'll lay off him.
- djamon

You don't understand the value of defencemen then. He took less to play in Vancouver and was worth every penny. With a real coach he should be even better.

Agreed.
- Nucker101

I hope he does, I always liked AV. His time just ran out here....

I wish Eakins the best but he is not a fit for the Canucks right now. I dont know who is but I think someone with presence in the locker room would be good for our current core to light a fire under their ass....
- chompsey

I agree. Unless Gillis is looking to turn the roster over to youth Eakins would have been the wrong hire. His forte is developing youth, not coaxing one more good year out of the Sedins.

Just kidding about that last part.

I wouldn't be jumping for joy, but I wouldn't be upset by it either like I would if it was a Ruff or Stevens hire. I think Boucher could do well with a good goalie.
- Nucker101

I think a lot of people would be pleasantly surprised by him. Like you said, with a good goalie he could do well. He is willing to take big chances. It's exciting, but it leaves the goaltender out to dry from time to time. Without a really solid guy back there, his system just won't work. In Vancouver, I have a feeling it would.

Your definition of a core player is based solely on minutes? Teams some times play players out of necessity, a lot of factors go into ice time. Not a good measuring stick, but I know you'll run with it because it's all you've got.
- LeftCoaster

EXACTLY, Edler played 21 min per game at 21 because Bieksa was hurt.

I wish Eakins the best but he is not a fit for the Canucks right now. I dont know who is but I think someone with presence in the locker room would be good for our current core to light a fire under their ass....
- chompsey

I agree. Eakins was wrong for this team and I'm VERY happy he's not the one. Hoping that the John Stevens rumors are false as well... If we want to poach a Kings assistant, go after Davis Payne!

With Eakins seemingly close to a deal with the Edmonton Oilers, where does Michael D. Gillis go now? Is Gulutzan the guy, or does Gillis move towards a motivator like Boucher?
- Michael_Stuart

Stevens

I agree. Unless Gillis is looking to turn the roster over to youth Eakins would have been the wrong hire. His forte is developing youth, not coaxing one more good year out of the Sedins.

Just trolling about that last part.
- djamon

Fixed

Your definition of a core player is based solely on minutes? Teams some times play players out of necessity, a lot of factors go into ice time. Not a good measuring stick, but I know you'll run with it because it's all you've got.
- LeftCoaster

With d-men it's a huge measuring stick for me. It shows me who the coach trusts. I also look at the core players as being players who you're going to have moving forward...so they should be young too. Factor in what I saw at the time too and Bieksa and Edler fit both criteria perfectly.

So even though Naslund was still a good player, he wasn't part of the core.

I'm sure it's a matter of definition, but that's part of how I see it.

He did plenty what he had. I like everything I've heard him say.

- doesn't believe in excessive line juggling (beyond a search for guys who click) because he understands how important chemistry/continuity/familiarity/trust are on the ice

- he himself was a center who played with leadership & grit... knows what it takes to win... had vision & understands hockey IQ/which skillsets work together (something AV & Bowness will NEVER understand)

- flexible enough to use what he's given to its highest potential... What you saw in Dallas won't be what you see in Vancouver with the pieces available to him
- DrChristianTroy

I understand Bowness already has a job, and AV will soon.

Man, some poor NHL management teams out there, giving bad coaches jobs so quick.

Gulutzan didn't really do much in Dallas. I like Willie Desjardins though. (frank) no to John Stevens.
- Nucker101

I disagree, he had a 64-57-9 record with a pretty unspectacular team, what does he have to do to please you? Jim Nill came in and wanted his own guy, nothing wrong with that.

Stevens
- KB3Point0

Yeah, what this team needs is the guy who lost the Flyers leadership core & implemented "dry island"

John Stevens shouldn't even be a candidate.