9 posts tagged “vancouver canucks”
Okay. Playoff matchups has been decided for both Eastern and Western teams:
First thought while listening to Francesco Aquilini's press conference: "Oh god it was a knee jerk reaction."
Second thought was: "Oh god, the Canucks are screwed."
Wow, I am just shocked. I was hoping for any sort of explanation as to why Dave Nonis was fired and he didn't come up with any except we didn't make the playoffs and he's accountable for the fans happiness, "'We felt a change in direction of this team and the leadership was necessary.'' Uhh, gee Aquilini, you sound like one of those CDC armchair GMs except you actually have the money to get what you want.
And seriously, I was just amazed (in disbelief, really) at his answers to the all the questions. For a guy who says they need a change in 'leadership', he can't even define what 'leadership' is to him. He fumbled with his answers and was just like "uhh.. someone with vision"... Exact quotes:
"Leadership is vision. You have to have a vision of where you want to go. You have to have the support group around you to get you there. You have to have the ability to execute. Leadership is a buzzword that a lot of people use, but at the end of the day, it’s about quality people who are committed to what they’re doing, people who serve the organization, people who care and people who can get the job. That’s what it comes down to – just getting the job done."
Hmm...
It seemed to me Nonis had a "vision" as to where he wants to go. He also had a great support group in Steve Tambellini who backs his decision. It also seems like Nonis has been able to execute on his vision. He has said all along that he will be building from the net out, and he has done that. The next step of his process was working with the offense. Nonis serves the organization, he obviously cares about our future by refusing to sacrifice a huge chunk of it for quick fixes...
Looks like Nonis pretty much fit your criteria, Aquilini? Maybe what you meant was a GM who has the same vision of where YOU want to go, not HIS vision on how he sees the team. Also maybe you should change that criteria of being able to execute to being able to execute ASAP.
Seriously I am just shaking my head throughout the whole press conference. My mother was also in shock.
Yesterday she thought the firing of Dave Nonis is good news because perhaps it might lead to some 'good changes', but both of us agreed that this turn of events is just horrible.
And that question about the ability of the team to hire a new GM when they might be hesitant to come to the team due to "job security" (after all 2 GMs fired in the span of 5 years)... His answer consisted of "we did this for the fans, we want to win" repeat x 10.
Wow, you sure gave the fans more confidence with your whole presscon Aquilini.
I just want to bitch about everything right now...
My thoughts are in a jumble since I was listening to this presscon on my way to a chem final at 12.
Ugh.
I'd be shock if there's a Canucks fan out there who felt more confident with the direction this ownership group is leading the team after that interview.
It didn't even seem like he had a plan. He hasn't even setup an advisory committee to look at potential candidates for the GM position. He didn't even know what "signed off" meant.
What. the. fuck.
The only time I had a boost of confidence was when Chris Zimmerman answered a couple questions in place of Francesco Aquilini. At least Chris was CONFIDENT with his answers and he actually gave us something more solid.
I am very scared.
Latest news out of CBC and TSN this Saturday was that Fabian Brunnstrom, the SEL player that got everyone and their dog talking this past season, is pretty close to being a Canuck or at least narrowed down his choices to either the Canucks or the Red Wings.
I honestly don't know anything about this guy so I am just hoping that he is a serviceable player that scores enough points and not turn out to be a plugger. If not, since all entry-level contracts has to be 2-way deals, he'd be seeing some time with the Moose.
So let's go FAB BRUNO! :D
In other news...
I remember in an interview before, Daniel was saying how Ronja thinks her new baby brother is a toy so she's just rough with him. It's the same case with Henrik's baby, she thinks it's a toy so she roughs him up a bit, too.
You can tell she's going to be a strong woman so you bettah not mess.
In a wide-ranging interview with The Province on a January road trip, Bulis detailed the many complaints he had with the team and said if things didn't change he'd consider asking for a trade.
The story led to a phone call from his father. That call changed everything.
"My dad gave it to me," Bulis said. "He said, 'It's always you complaining all the time. Why is it always you complaining? Maybe it's your fault. Don't always look for someone to blame, maybe it's you.'"
Bulis started fighting with his dad on the phone, defending himself.
"Here I was fighting with him, too. But then I sat down and I really looked in the mirror," Bulis said. "I said to myself, 'Maybe it is me. Maybe I should change. Maybe I need to change.'
"That's when I said, 'Forget it, don't worry about the power play any more, don't worry about the number of offensive opportunities at all. Start worrying about defence and start worrying about playing better every game to help the team.'
"It was a very positive moment." - Phone call shows father knows best
So, what does Janny B. have to say about the prospect of returning to the Canucks? Well, he wants to stay. I never really had major complaints about him, I've always liked and tolerated him, and if we can't find a better or cheaper alternative to what he brings on the table, then I wish we'd resign him.
As for the other players...
"Being so fresh after the end of the season, I'm not going to say a whole lot today," Linden told reporters at GM Place.
"We'll kind of make those decisions as we go along here," Linden continued. "Obviously it takes some time to digest the season and, right now, I want to take some time and reflect."
Well, then, was he pondering hanging them up after 18 NHL campaigns?
"I said last year it would be a year-to-year basis and that would be the framework I would go on," he replied. "That was my statement: I wanted to come and have a good season and hopefully the team would have a good season."
- Trevor Linden"I hope there is a place for me here, but time will tell," said Cowan, who tore cartilage in his left knee during Game 3 of the Anaheim series. "I had a great time here, it was awesome and I'll be excited if I am back."
- Jeff Cowan"My family fell in love with it out here and I'd love to come back," remarked Fitzpatrick. "As you know, these things are very much out of my hands but Vancouver would be my first choice."
- Rory Fitzpatrick"I'll be happy to do it for one more year," said Sabourin, 26. "It's a tough job and I think I did a good job. We'll see what they're going to offer me and then I'll take the decision."
- Dany Sabourin"We'll see what unfolds in the next little while, but I'd like to come back," he said. "It was the best season of my career. I really enjoyed it."
- Taylor Pyatt"If you're talking about a million-dollar difference to stay here or play somewhere else, that's a lot of money," he noted. "Obviously it's up to Vancouver. If they want to talk, I'm all for it."
- Brent Sopel"Hopefully management comes to us early and we can get it out of the way sooner rather than later," said the 22-year-old centre. "I want to buy a home here and get my family settled and then just focus on having a good season. Last summer was not a very good summer."
- Ryan Kesler
Personally, I don't want Sopel back, especially if he's unwilling to take that "million dollar" paycut. We have our Top 4 defencemen pretty much locked for the next season (and a few more seasons after that). We only need 5th/6th/7th defencemen, and I'm sure Luc Bourdon and Alex Edler might fill up 2 out of those 3 positions. There's also Lukas Krajicek and Rory Fitzpatrick to consider, both will come cheaper than Sopes, and both reliable at their designated positions. We might also be looking for a powerplay quarterback, and that might lead to looking at bring Kirill Kolstov back to North America.
As for forwards, I don't think Trevor Linden will retire just yet, and will possibly be back for another season in the NHL. The Canucks will most likely resign him, so that isn't really a huge problem.
I personally want Ryan Kesler to be signed long term by the Canucks. I'm willing to wait for his "offensive" upside to develop, but Kes is the type of player who rarely takes a day off when he plays. He's fast, he puts his body and heart on the line, and he's just hard working. I hope the Canucks, for the sake of our future players, unofficially retire the jersey number "17" though. That number is pure bad luck.
As for Taylor Pyatt... I half want him to return and half not. okay, 75% want him to return. Right now, I don't think we can do much in terms of getting better linemates for the Sedins, or getting a big guy to replace Pyatt when we have so little to spend under the cap. The best option for now is to keep him, but on the other hand, you just wish he does more with his size, be more consistent on his play and hope he does all that next year or you'd regret signing him. I think Pyatt is looking for a 3 year deal at least, so a lot of it would depend on the hope he remains consistent and continue developing to become a better "power" forward.
The others... yeah, I don't know. I want Dany Sabourin to return, obviously, I love Sabby! But I look at our farm, I look at our goaltending prospects, and ask myself, what are we going to do with all those?
I've never been so excited for the off season! I got myself interested in Canucks prospects due to the "Canucks Prospects Thread" in the forums, so I can't wait for the NHL Entry Draft. :D
(Take that Christmas! >:D)
I usually don't pick up a copy of 24 hours, but today was an exception. This is probably their greatest issue of all! Sadly, I missed the "blowtorch the leafs jersey" issue from last season, but thankfully I was able to pick up this issue.
Hopefully the Leafs jersey trashing won't end up as the killing curse to the Vancouver Canucks as they battle against the team in the center of the universe.
But yes :D Hockey Day in Canada! I made up some excuse to my boss that I had to leave at 3:00 just so I can catch the Canucks/Leafs games @ 4. I'm really sad I'm missing the Habs/Sens game... but I guess I can watch the replay for that.
I'm wondering what will happen to HDIC next year? Because of the new NHL scheduling, I don't think any of the western teams would be travelling to the Northeast division next year to complete this tradition? :((((
Anyway, interesting stuff from diff sources:
It seems like everyone in Vancouver hates Toronto. What are some good things about the city?
Trevor Linden: [long pause] ummm.... [another pause] yeah... [pause] that's a tough one. (source)
- Trevor Linden is also the official toothpaste supplier of the Vancouver Canucks. You need to teach those kiddies how to pack their own suitcase someday, Trev!
- I don't think it's a good idea for you to let out the secret to your slapshot, Sami!
- Wherein Kevin Bieksa make some of his fans crazy by not divulging the full story of the "Juice". That and he reveals he lives in Yaletown along with 8 other Canucks ;) HOHO I know a few of them already: Taylor Pyatt, Josh Green, Roberto Luongo (I think he lives in Yaletown), Daniel Sedin... HOHOHO Just you wait! Yaletown will turn into puckbunny central, if it isn't already....... LOL!!!
- Canucks photographer's road diary. Heehee! I see Alex Edler :DDD!!!
I think in the past month alone, the Vancouver Canucks have made it on NHL.com's "Frozen Moment" section 6 times, 7 in total, more than any other teams.
[edit] Apparently not CDC Vid Player.
Show us something you can't live without.
Submitted by tOiXc_HoNeY.
So generally, now I don't know how I can survive without hockey.
Show us your pride and joy.
Submitted by ::c::.
