Thats where I thought it would have been better to let as many kids as possible stay in Utica next season. Willie could play all the vets he wanted, take the team to another lottery pick and deploy anyone he wanted. Utica could then teach the kids, form chemistry and let them figure out powerplay success with the likes of Boeser, Goldobin, Dahlen, Virtanen, Subban on it.

Thats what I meant by focusing on the future, it would only have needed to be one season of obvious tanking
- WhiteLie

we would have lost Green

we would have lost Green
- CanuckDon

Possibly, I got a feeling if you paid him NHL money and even included a clause in his contract that he would be the NHL coach it could've possibly been enough to retain him.

I also dont completely buy the hype on him and think that an additional year from now there will be some good coaches available. Like I said though, whats done is done. I dont think this will have a major impact on the franchise

Possibly, I got a feeling if you paid him NHL money and even included a clause in his contract that he would be the NHL coach it could've possibly been enough to retain him.

I also dont completely buy the hype on him and think that an additional year from now there will be some good coaches available. Like I said though, whats done is done. I dont think this will have a major impact on the franchise
- WhiteLie

what are you going to do? Promise Green that WIllie will only coach one more year? Bring back a coach that won't play the youth? Keep prospects in the minors that have earned a spot in the NHL simply to keep them away from Willie? Green has said he isn't coaching in AHL next year. Head coach in the NHL or Europe per Friedman. This is the right move.

Edit: I am not a huge Green supporter or anything I just think he was the best option for the team at this point in time. They suck and need to focus on developing young players. Reevaluate in 3 years.

what are you going to do? Promise Green that WIllie will only coach one more year? Bring back a coach that won't play the youth? Keep prospects in the minors that have earned a spot in the NHL simply to keep them away from Willie? Green has said he isn't coaching in AHL next year. Head coach in the NHL or Europe per Friedman. This is the right move.

Edit: I am not a huge Green supporter or anything I just think he was the best option for the team at this point in time. They suck and need to focus on developing young players. Reevaluate in 3 years.
- CanuckDon

Good. Better than bringing in a high dollar option like Boudreau or some guy that can't coach in the PO's.

If he can get this roster to 85 pts next year that will be something.
- LordHumungous

you sure got that right lord. Worst option for PO's. Another coach who is clueless on adjusting a game.

Very good regular seasons though
Then theres sutter who has crappy seasons, makes PO's by a single point then wins the cup.
Very different coaches

Possibly, I got a feeling if you paid him NHL money and even included a clause in his contract that he would be the NHL coach it could've possibly been enough to retain him.

I also dont completely buy the hype on him and think that an additional year from now there will be some good coaches available. Like I said though, whats done is done. I dont think this will have a major impact on the franchise
- WhiteLie

Might...Might not.

I'm actually OK with Green as it's the roster that needs work here not the coaching (for the most part)...but I am looking forward to having a coach with almost 1000 games of actual NHL experience. There are many things that can bring to a club IMO.

what are you going to do? Promise Green that WIllie will only coach one more year? Bring back a coach that won't play the youth? Keep prospects in the minors that have earned a spot in the NHL simply to keep them away from Willie? Green has said he isn't coaching in AHL next year. Head coach in the NHL or Europe per Friedman. This is the right move.
- CanuckDon

Wasn't Willie entering the final year of his contract?

Green could have gone to Europe, no way he would have signed on for a multi-year deal over there, returned after Willie's contract expired. He has also been passed over for numerous NHL jobs already, Canucks were too chicken to call his bluff IMO.

I am not saying the Canucks did anything wrong, I just do think that an extra year of this wouldnt have put the franchise in any worse position than they already are. Keeping kids on Utica to "over season" them is better than rushing. Sadly I think there will be prospects on the team next year that arent quite ready, but are put there because the new mandate is to play them all

- Marwood

I do like him but I don't think he is the savior of the franchise or anything. Just the logical choice. Most of the people complaining about Green are unable to provide a realistic solution to the coaching vacancy. Kruger, Crawford, Willie and Q are not solutions. Reirdon? How is he better than Green who the org has been grooming for years? Because he is an assistant on a stacked team? I don't see it.

My comment was made as a comparison between Willie and Green at the AHL level. I suppose my post wasn't clear. Point being, Willie developed no one in the AHL.
- CanuckDon

My bad, must've misread. Why were you making a point about his AHL time then?

if we finish 22nd, does that ensure us 6thOA at the draft?
- hillbillydeluxe

Simple, trade Bo for it!

Wasn't Willie entering the final year of his contract?

Green could have gone to Europe, no way he would have signed on for a multi-year deal over there, returned after Willie's contract expired. He has also been passed over for numerous NHL jobs already, Canucks were too chicken to call his bluff IMO.

I am not saying the Canucks did anything wrong, I just do think that an extra year of this wouldnt have put the franchise in any worse position than they already are. Keeping kids on Utica to "over season" them is better than rushing. Sadly I think there will be prospects on the team next year that arent quite ready, but are put there because the new mandate is to play them all
- WhiteLie

I am just not sure how to respond. I think willie was an awful coach that wasn't listening to his employers. I can't support bringing someone like him back. agree to disagree

trading down when we have a top 5 pick is insanely stupid. We are a rebuilding team that is desperate for high end talent. We don't need more DEPTH we need a potential star
- CanuckDon

Thats why it depends on whos left on the board and what pick we have. If picking 3rd and you have vilardi, glass and middle all valued equal and a team wants to jump from 5 to 3 to draft a dman then why wouldnt you trade back for a 2nd. As long as you are getting one of the guys you want why would it matter? The difference is if you are missing out on your guy then dont do it. Nothing is black and white to just say yes or no.

Might...Might not.

I'm actually OK with Green as it's the roster that needs work here not the coaching (for the most part)...but I am looking forward to having a coach with almost 1000 games of actual NHL experience. There are many things that can bring to a club IMO.
- LordHumungous

I am fine with Green too, I really was only against Hitchcock. A new voice is good, and I am sure he will have his ups/downs and have some good and bad player relationships.

I only every questioned the timing/motive of firing Willie, but I am in the same boat as you that the roster needs much more work before you can really care too much about the coach. Now that they pulled the trigger on firing and hiring, time to focus on the roster

Called it
- NorthNuck

no surprise its green, its been rumored for a long time. No "who'd have thought?" at all.
I wish we knew who else was on that list. Might have been the only name on the list.

My bad, must've misread. Why were you making a point about his AHL time then?
- NorthNuck

I was debating with somebody that said WIllie had a good track record developing players while Green doesn't. So I responded that Willie didn't develop any meaningful players in his time in the AHL. They both had a team full of veteran scrubs. Point being, no coach could develop Subban, Grenier, Pedan etc. Green has a terrible roster. He appears to have done a decent job with Virt and Demko but we shall see.

I am just not sure how to respond. I think willie was an awful coach that wasn't listening to his employers. I can't support bringing someone like him back. agree to disagree
- CanuckDon

thats fine, I wasnt a Willie fan by any means. I just question his employers, their plan and their motives more than anything

Thats why it depends on whos left on the board and what pick we have. If picking 3rd and you have vilardi, glass and middle all valued equal and a team wants to jump from 5 to 3 to draft a dman then why wouldnt you trade back for a 2nd. As long as you are getting one of the guys you want why would it matter? The difference is if you are missing out on your guy then dont do it. Nothing is black and white to just say yes or no.
- mauryballstein

you are right, nothing is black and white. Benning is a professional scout so he will have a set BPA list. He isn't a fan that has trouble differentiating between Mittle, Vilardi etc. If he thinks Vilardi is the 3rd best player in the draft and he is available at 3, well he should select him. He would have no assurances that Vilardi would remain available at 5th or 6th pick etc. I think the exception would be if he was set on drafting a D but we know that's not the case.

thats fine, I wasnt a Willie fan by any means. I just question his employers, their plan and their motives more than anything
- WhiteLie

thats fine, I wasnt a Willie fan by any means. I just question his employers, their plan and their motives more than anything
- WhiteLie

do they have an evil motive we aren't aware of ?

you are right, nothing is black and white. Benning is a professional scout so he will have a set BPA list. He isn't a fan that has trouble differentiating between Mittle, Vilardi etc. If he thinks Vilardi is the 3rd best player in the draft and he is available at 3, well he should select him. He would have no assurances that Vilardi would remain available at 5th or 6th pick etc. I think the exception would be if he was set on drafting a D but we know that's not the case.
- CanuckDon

I just really hope we get top 2 so its not even an issue.

I think he will just take his guy no matter the case, he doesnt exaclty come across as an out of the box thinker. I was more so just playing devils advocate with scenarios. I just really want one of top 5 centers and we will get one so in all honesty I dont care unless he does something stupid like taking Glass over nico or nolan

WIllie is an idiot. Travis is very smart. there is a major difference right there
- CanuckDon

I'll agree there.
So lets hope for more than we expect from green then.
Personally I feel the 1st half of the season wont be great, just mediocre then it goes upwards from there

do they have an evil motive we aren't aware of ?
- CanuckDon

Depending on if you buy into the theory they make a lot of decisions based on money/sales instead of building a winner

I just really hope we get top 2 so its not even an issue.

I think he will just take his guy no matter the case, he doesnt exaclty come across as an out of the box thinker. I was more so just playing devils advocate with scenarios. I just really want one of top 5 centers and we will get one so in all honesty I dont care unless he does something stupid like taking Glass over nico or nolan
- mauryballstein

I don't think you need to worry about him taking Glass over Nico or Nolan. Benning loves players that can skate and "rip the puck.' That doesn't describe Glass. I suspect he has Nico at the top followed by Patrick. My guess.

Simple, trade Bo for it!
- NorthNuck

I'm just feeling a little pessimism.

Coaching change is going to have minimal impact. Green is going to feel the pressure to win games and we will see more head scratchers.

and expecting the worst with the lotto. just hoping JB can pick a top line fwd or dman.

Bo isn't going anywhere, we will see him get a bit better and the debate will be whether he is a 1st or 2nd line centre.

I do like him but I don't think he is the savior of the franchise or anything. Just the logical choice. Most of the people complaining about Green are unable to provide a realistic solution to the coaching vacancy. Kruger, Crawford, Willie and Q are not solutions. Reirdon? How is he better than Green who the org has been grooming for years? Because he is an assistant on a stacked team? I don't see it.
- CanuckDon

Like I said initially, it really doesn't matter because this team is going to be dreadful for the next few seasons. I am actually more concerned about rushing prospects. Not happy about Dahlen getting an AHL out-clause, either.