And so you keep AV and make the playoffs with him because production is slightly up, win 1-2 playoff games and then gets canned along with Gillis?
The Canucks were not decimated by shot blocking. Every successful team does it. The demise of the Canucks was brought by realignment. Having to play 15 games against Anaheim, L.A., San Jose.
Hanzal single handedly took out three Canucks players with his Crosscheck work: Henrik, Santorelli and Booth all missing time, with Santorelli not being able to return the entire rest of the season; his production was never replaced.
But blame shot blocking though...
You know when the Canucks seem to have played an amazing game and shot over 60 shots on goal but lose despite records saying 15 shots? Those are all blocked shots and missed nets.
Alas, I wrote this post in the "I would like to see Torts stay for at least one more year" because I would like to see Torts stay for at least one more year.
What he has done and will be doing with Kassian, people will be praising Torts soon enough, and there are others coming up next year that will make him look real good.
Kind of like how AV became the coach he is on the back of Luongo, but with hard work and great dedication.