I have been a Canuck's fans as long as I can remember. I followed the Blazers, (remember them?) had season tickets and still watch every game I can. Even my wife who never had any interest in hockey started watching the games a couple of years ago and now doesn't want to miss any of them
With all the ups and downs over the last few years, I got thinking the other day about this year. Where are the Canuck's going? What will they do this year?
So, here is my take on it.
We have a new owner. Local people, the Aquillini family. That is good. But the new owner is stepping into a pretty good situation. the rink is sold out, and everyone loves hockey. This was by no means a distress sale. good earning potential. Is he motivated to improve the team? Well, they said that. but tan, they turn around and hire a novice GM, Mike Gillis, who until yesterday fought with almost every GM on players contracts. Mike steps in, and announces that he will institute profound changes how the operation will be run. New systems and new ideas. Wow? Not only he has to learn his new job, he wants to change the world! He is also a micro manager. Wants to be part of every decision, and I am just waiting for him to step behind the bench. It appears that he doesn't trust anyone and seems to have trouble delegating. How big do you think would Microsoft be if Bill Gates wanted to be a part of every decision? But, we are "moving forward". That's what Mr. Gillis says. The other day I heard that he doesn't want to travel with the team any more because he has things to do. What, change the toilet paper? Well, more important things than meeting other GM's and establishing some good raport with them? He may want to do a trade with one of them, one of these days and I think it would be good to get to know them. Who am I to tell them what to do? They know best.
Than there is our one year wonder coach, Mr. Vigneault. I can't forget the glazed over look in his eyes in the last few games kast year, when things were going , you know where, and he just stood there, unwilling or unable to to anything. I don't know what another coach behind the bench may have done, but just standing there with no passion, (sorry, I seem to remember one game where he got excited), doing nothing, unbelievable!
If things don't go well and the time comes to make a decison on coaching, what is Mike Gillis going to say?
Alain, sorry, but things didn't work out. I have to let you go. So what is Alain going to say? Well Mike, if I had my way I would have done things differently. I think you are 50% responsible of what went wrong.
And if things still don't go well, what is Mr. Aquillini going to say? Sooner or later even the GM's head has to go.
I harte to think where they would find a new GM to run a hockey club the way Mike did. The result? General clean up and start from scratch.
Isn't it exciting? It should be a great year!
By the way, about the Sundin deal. In my opinion it was just a smoke screen. Kept us fans expecting that this Sundin fellow would come, pay him a tonne of money, and he will lead us to the promised land. Big mistake. Biger than athe Messier fiasco.
My advice is keep the money and invest it in young talent, because I think we have not been told the truth yet.
We are rebuilding. Why don't they just tell us that. Less expectations and more fun. We seem to have some great young talent in the system, and Canuck's should have a great future.
We didn't get much last summer. Demitra may still show some good flashes, and the rest are has beens who need to be rehabilitated. Than they talked about trading Sedins! For what? Another project player or two? They are never going to be game breakers, but they are solid players. Keep them.
And Mr. Aquillini, give Mike a couple of days off. He looks soooo tired.
This is my rant. I hope I am wrong on all of this, and come playoff time we are still there. Unfortunately, not this year.
