Carol Schram: Vancouver Canucks: Mike Gillis Says Team to Return to High-Flying Old Ways Vancouver Canucks' general manager Mike Gillis drew a line in the sand during a Thursday radio appearance, saying he wants the team to get back to the uptempo playing style that made it successful in past years.

Blame falls mostly on FA. Tortorella is quite possibly the worst hire and at the worst possible time.

What a weird, awful season this has come to. Gillis actually speaking candidly. Did not see this coming

We wont be able to afford Vanek. He will sign with the highest bidder at around 8-9mil. Cap going up lots of teams will have the space. If Pronger retires Philly will have space as well. This is the only year the Holmgrem has not done anything at deadline. He will bit sit quite in the off season.
- Linden_4_Capt

Pronger will stay on LTIR, it's the only way to keep his cap hit off the books. I'd rather have Moulson over Vanek, he'd be cheaper.

But if I had my chose, I'd rather trade Kesler and Edler to fill the gaps in our line up that would enable us to truly roll 4 lines. I think that shock the core enough for the time being.

Blame falls mostly on FA. Tortorella is quite possibly the worst hire and at the worst possible time.
- rugdnit

If it was FA that made that hire maybe it will be the point at which he lets MG do his job without any interference or blame MG for his mistake and bring in a new face.

What a weird, awful season this has come to. Gillis actually speaking candidly. Did not see this coming
- geebaan

Wondering if Torts is feeling any pressure? Thought he seemed a bit neutral to positive down the stretch and restrained. Will he have any response to the desired playing style that Gillis has expressed and essentially made it sound like Coach and GM are not on the same page?

I really hate the dump and chase on the PP, the predictable drop pass is somehow more desirable.

Pronger will stay on LTIR, it's the only way to keep his cap hit off the books. I'd rather have Moulson over Vanek, he'd be cheaper.

But if I had my chose, I'd rather trade Kesler and Edler to fill the gaps in our line up that would enable us to truly roll 4 lines. I think that shock the core enough for the time being.
- Chest Rockwell

What an about face in strategy from wanting to roll 4 lines to playing your top players until they drop.


It must be easier to play an aggressive up tempo game if you have a fresh team...

What a weird, awful season this has come to. Gillis actually speaking candidly. Did not see this coming
- geebaan

Me neither - I really didn't expect that outta his arrogant ass?

Blame falls mostly on FA. Tortorella is quite possibly the worst hire and at the worst possible time.
- rugdnit

Comments I made last summer. I hated the Torts hiring but was willing to give him a chance because I love my team. Tortorella has attempted to turn a Canucks roster built for speed and puck possession into a grinding, defense-first team. He failed. He can't coach any other way and assuming he could because Gillis or anyone else merely asked him to is folly.

That said, I am doubly concerned if Gillis himself believes this is all on Torts' failed system. Getting a Mike Babcock in here would turn this team into a playoff team but not into a cup contender IMO. It'll take more than a new coach with the right system and the same personnel to get that accomplished and that rests with the GM.

Me neither - I really didn't expect that outta his arrogant ass?
- LeftCoaster

When you know your job is on the line you get to a point where you just DGAF. Collect your last check and move on.

When you know your job is on the line you get to a point where you just DGAF. Collect your last check and move on.
- thundachunk

That is some cheque!

Reading between the lines, I heard;

1. John Tortorella was an ownership hire, he'll be fired at the end of the year or the current GM will walk.

2. GMMG hated this style of play that was employed this year; the complete lack of production from basically the entire group of top six forwards can be attributed to many things but mainly the systems play of the coach.

When you know your job is on the line you get to a point where you just DGAF. Collect your last check and move on.
- thundachunk

I gotta believe he's basically given the Aquilini group an ultimatum; I'm running the hockey operations or I'm outta here.

I hope they fire Torts and Gillis quits!!

Edit: if Gillis is fired he'll collect his cheques regardless.

Reading between the lines, I heard;

1. John Tortorella was an ownership hire, he'll be fired at the end of the year or the current GM will walk.

2. GMMG hated this style of play that was employed this year; the complete lack of production from basically the entire group of top six forwards can be attributed to many things but mainly the systems play of the coach.
- LeftCoaster

Yeah, imo I'd rather Gillis stay and Torts go if we had the option.

I gotta believe he's basically given the Aquilini group an ultimatum; I'm running the hockey operations or I'm outta here.

I hope they fire Torts and Gillis quits!!

Edit: if Gillis is fired he'll collect his cheques regardless.
- LeftCoaster

Knowing the Aquilinis, they'll keep Torts so they don't have to pay him out... Then Gillis will quit. Cheap (frank)s.

Reading between the lines, I heard;

1. John Tortorella was an ownership hire, he'll be fired at the end of the year or the current GM will walk.

2. GMMG hated this style of play that was employed this year; the complete lack of production from basically the entire group of top six forwards can be attributed to many things but mainly the systems play of the coach.
- LeftCoaster

That is interesting...

With the perception of ownership not wanting to throw money away (who does) I am not sure if Torts won't be given another year to get some results or if ownership would be that upset if Gillis walked away from his job/contract if it meant saving money.

I guess it comes down to wins/losses and revenue. Can't afford to fire and payout a contract or can't afford not to make the change for the good of the team.

I still wonder if Torts can coach the system Gillis wants? AV was able to change and many thought he couldn't.

If it was FA that made that hire maybe it will be the point at which he lets MG do his job without any interference or blame MG for his mistake and bring in a new face.
- thundachunk

This was talked about months ago. FA hired torts because of some Italian connection. Eakins was their first choice but once he was gone FA forced Torts in. I heard that all back in September.

Yeah, imo I'd rather Gillis stay and Torts go if we had the option.
- anavar

I've been saying this since the team has been poopting the bed this season.

I gotta believe he's basically given the Aquilini group an ultimatum; I'm running the hockey operations or I'm outta here.

I hope they fire Torts and Gillis quits!!

Edit: if Gillis is fired he'll collect his cheques regardless.
- LeftCoaster

I hope the ultimatum is true. Gillis will be ok if he gets the reigns again. Though I am not opposed to him walking or getting fired.

Knowing the Aquilinis, they'll keep Torts so they don't have to pay him out... Then Gillis will quit. Cheap (frank)s.
- DrChristianTroy

Not a Gillis fan, but given his track record to make money, I seriously doubt he'd leave money on the table. He'd force them to fire him.

This was talked about months ago. FA hired torts because of some Italian connection. Eakins was their first choice but once he was gone FA forced Torts in. I heard that all back in September.
- Iggysbff

I thought it was John Stevens that Gillis wanted? Eakins looks like a terrible coach to me.

Yeah, imo I'd rather Gillis stay and Torts go if we had the option.
- anavar

I agree 100%, give Gillis 1 more year to get the team back playing the way they should. Of course that brings us back to the debate of who do they replace Torts with.

It's pretty obvious now Torts wasn't Gillis' guy. Stevens was.

Knowing the Aquilinis, they'll keep Torts so they don't have to pay him out... Then Gillis will quit. Cheap (frank)s.
- DrChristianTroy

If this happens then this team is (frank)ed until the day the team is sold.

Comments I made last summer. I hated the Torts hiring but was willing to give him a chance because I love my team. Tortorella has attempted to turn a Canucks roster built for speed and puck possession into a grinding, defense-first team. He failed. He can't coach any other way and assuming he could because Gillis or anyone else merely asked him to is folly.

That said, I am doubly concerned if Gillis himself believes this is all on Torts' failed system. Getting a Mike Babcock in here would turn this team into a playoff team but not into a cup contender IMO. It'll take more than a new coach with the right system and the same personnel to get that accomplished and that rests with the GM.
- AlexF

You and I were on the same page at the time of Torts hiring. MG shares some blame here, but to me this season is all on FA and Torts. Going further down that road is not an option.

People talk about lack of depth, but they forced Manny out and let Torres walk. Those guys were difference makers in 2011. Hard to replace Manny, but you man up and pay Torres-- NO QUESTION. From there on there was a huge gap in depth. Obviously the Farm has it's issues, but not bolstering that 3rd cost this team 3 years.