Many Offseason Changes Expected for the Vancouver Canucks

The knives are out in Vancouver. Now that the Canucks have been knocked out in the first round of the NHL playoffs — for the second straight season — the talk has turned to who will pay the price for the consecutive debacles.

After the first two games in Vancouver, it was obvious to most observers that the Canucks once again didn’t have what it takes to win in the playoffs. Too many penalties, not enough toughness, no puck luck. Even the power-play totals went against them: 10 for Vancouver to 24 for San Jose. A case can be made for some soft calls which went the Sharks’ way, but then Canucks defenceman Kevin Bieksa tried to insult his opponents by calling them out on the “Canadian-ness” of their play.

Vancouver’s effort can be summed up simply: too many passengers, not enough drivers. The Sedins were basically invisible, as were many of the others. Ryan Kesler showed up for a period or two. About the only ones who don’t have to shoulder much of the blame are the two members of the team who probably shouldn’t have even been teammates this long: goaltenders Roberto Luongo and Cory Schneider. Both put in solid efforts when called upon, even when the players in front of them didn’t.

Also, let’s give credit where it’s due: the Sharks played as a team, and Joe Pavelski and Logan Couture showed that they are San Jose’s future. Even Brent Burns, who is usually a defenceman, acquitted himself well when he was played as a forward. Antti Niemi guarded the net as well as he usually does, but wasn’t tested all that much in this series. They get to move on, while the Canucks are left with the aftermath.

So now who gets the blame for this? Globe and Mail writer Allan Maki says it’s the general manager, Mike Gillis, who wasn’t able to resolve the goaltending controversy or bring in players who could get the job done. Head coach Alain Vigneault is also getting flack for his handling of the situation, and for his passionless demeanour. Seven years of regular-season success is fine, but not if it means continuous failure in the playoffs.

A poll posted on the Vancouver Sun website has an overwhelming majority voting to fire both head coach Alain Vigneault and general manager Mike Gillis and urging the team to bring in a new management duo. Given what has happened in the post-season, that kind of knee-jerk reaction is entirely expected: what happens next is entirely up to what the ownership wants. If one anonymous poll is to be believed, the fans have spoken loud and clear.