MEET THE NEW BOSS…NOT THE SAME AS THE OLD BOSS…
TODAY THE VANCOUVER CANUCKS SHOWED OFF THEIR NEW GENERAL MANAGER MIKE GILLIS…
AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE THE MESSAGE WAS CLEAR…
THIS IS TEAM IS NOT CLOSE AND THERE WILL BE CHANGES…
GILLIS POINTED TO THREE MAJOR CONCERNS HE HAS ABOUT THIS ORGANIZATION…
SCOUTING…PLAYER SELECTION AND PLAYER DEVELOPMENT…
TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH…
CHIEF SCOUT RON DELORME AND HIS STAFF…ALONG WITH THE DIRECTOR OF PLAYER DEVELOPMENT STAN SMYL ARE ALL NOW ON A VERY SHORT LEASH…
SO ARE THE SEDINS…
GILLIS REFUSED TO ENDORSE THE TWINS…
INSTEAD HE WOULD ONLY SAY…QUOTE…”I DON’T KNOW IF THEY’RE PLAYERS THE TEAM WILL BE BUILT AROUND MOVING FORWARD”…
YOU DO NOT NEED TO READ TEA LEAFS TO SEE THAT TRADING THE SEDINS IS NOW A VERY REAL POSSIBLITY…
WHEN ASKED ABOUT THE STYLE OF THE CANUCKS…
GILLIS POINTED TO UPGRADING BOTH SPEED AND GRIT…
NEITHER ARE STRENGTHS OF THE SEDINS…
ACCORDING TO GILLIS THE PRIORITY IS GOALTENDER ROBERTO LUONGO…
WHO HE REFERED TO AS “THE BEST IN THE BUSINESS”…
THE PLAN TO KEEP LUONGO IN VANCOUVER APPEARS TO BE SIMPLE…”WIN NOW”…
GILLIS STATED THE CANUCKS WOULD BE VERY AGGRESSIVE IN ITS APPROACH TO IMPROVE THE TEAM…
WHICH MEANS THEY WILL BE ACTIVE IN THE FREE AGENT MARKET…
THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT EITHER HEAD COACH ALAIN VIGNEAULT OR ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER STEVE TAMBILINI ARE IN TROUBLE…
GILLIS MET WITH TAMBILINI TODAY…AND WILL SIT DOWN WITH VIGNEAULT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE…
HOWEVER HE MADE NO GUARENTEES…
ACCORDING TO GILLIS THE DECISION ON WHO COACHES THIS TEAM WILL BE “THE” MOST IMPORTANT DECISION HE MAKES…
RIGHT NOW ALL WE KNOW FOR SURE IS THIS…
AS OF TODAY…WHEN IT COMES TO THE BUSINESS OF THE CANUCKS…
IT’S NO LONGER BUSINESS AS USUAL…
1 comment:
Just because the Sedins don't have a lot of grit doesn't mean there's no room for them on the team. If I'm not mistaken, a team consists of players with different qualities right? The Sedins are very good 2 way players. Henrik is sound defensively and a great play maker. Daniel obviously has all around offensive ability.
As for Gillis. I am not on the bandwagon yet. He said what Vancouverites wanted to hear and is a very good salesman. He convinced the Rangers Bobby Holik was worth $10 mill a year.
I think this move by Aquilini is a bold one that will either completely blow up in his face or change the face of hockey in this town. I don't think Gillis is a safe hire. I also am not convinced that he's the right man for the job. He's got zero experience and is well hated around the league. Not a good combination in my opinion.
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