Razors_Edge

Report: Desjardins, Canucks near multi-year deal Sportsnet: Luke Fox June 20, 2014, 2:05 PM Willie Desjardins is on the verge of accepting a multi-year contract to become the Vancouver Canucks’ new head coach, according to a report Friday: According to Sportsnet’s Dan Murphy, the Canucks had interviewed Mike Johnston, Peter Horachek, Marc Crawford and Dan Bylsma for John Tortorella’s old post. There were plans to speak with both Scott Arniel and Desjardins as well. A long-believed frontrunner to succeed Tortorella, the 57-year-old Desjardins led his AHL Texas Stars to the Calder Cup championship Tuesday but skipped the team’s celebration Thursday. Desjardins interviewed with the Pittsburgh Penguins via telephone Wednesday, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman. If Desjardins is hired, this will be his first NHL head coaching job. “The most important qualification is the toughest one to identify, and that’s the ability to connect with the players and get them to play for him,” Linden told Sportsnet Thursday of Vancouver’s search for a coach. “You look at past performances from their teams. You try to judge the person. Get a sense of who they are, what they are, how authentic and genuine they are and try to pick up on that. You try to talk to players who’ve played for that coach and had experience with that person.” Linden said there is a good chance a new coach will be announced prior to next Friday’s draft. The Canucks fired Tortorella on May 1 after he posted a 36-35-11 record and missed the playoffs in his lone season with the club. The Canucks had just 13 wins in the 41 games since Jan. 1 and finished 25th overall. TribLive.com’s Rob Rossi reported Friday that the Penguins missed out on their first choice for their new coach. “The guy I had is going to go in a different direction,” general manager Jim Rutherford told Rossi Friday afternoon. He did not name the finalist. “I’ll work off the same list I had, but it will be expanded by two or three names that for whatever reason weren’t considered for interviews the last time.”

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I would be surprised if Doug Houda doesn't get a good look!

Yes we are all brothers here, well we do have a few sisters as well! There is no war, just a bit of fun expressing our opinions. You really can't compare a power forward to a speedy winger, They have two different styles of play. What it comes down to what are GMs going to go after, and quality power forwards are more rare and harder to find of a 1st round calibre. So its my belief Richie will be in hot demand, I could be wrong but I have a bet riding on it, so I better not be

Amen Brother

LOL I like the sound of that!

Yeah me too, then we would be sure to get Richie

Nick Ritchie Highlights

Nick Ritchie 2012-13

The hit was on time, You should watch all of Richies fight videos, very entertaining!

Nick Ritchie vs Josh Brown http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUoai-pCpK0

Nick Ritchie vs Nathan Cull http://youtu.be/7VUZgLsIPMU

Lol, Dam fat fingers Thanks!

Perhaps you should quit being gullible, its obvious to everyone here Kess asked to be traded, get over it!

Wow Several teams said they were interested in Kesler, were their execs just trying to stir up crap also? Is there a giant conspiracy in play here?

What is it you are doing anyways, besides trying to stir up crap, what team did you say you were a fan of?

So your theory is that NHL execs have nothing better to do than stir up shit! wow...

Then why were the Canucks talking to other teams about the possibility. Burying you head in the sand accomplishes not much except leaves you a little exposed! Why would Pittsburgh say they were interested in Kesler if the Canucks hadn't said he was available. You never see teams talking about other teams stars with a NTC unless they have been approached!

Said what? As I pointed out Kess said he never asked to be traded? Pittsburgh for one said they wanted Kess, There are links to all of that, I have no idea what it is you are asking for! Could you be a little more specific? Thanks!

The post was in response to people saying no one can play at 230 lbs, and power forwards should never be drafted in the 1st round. Richie is fine at 230 lbs and will go in the 1st round, he will for sure be the next coming of Bertuzzi and maybe better. I hope we get him, and some scouts think he may go at 1, we will see!

The only difference is Benning said he is going to work closely with them and give them direction as to what it is he is looing for.

Well here is the problem. Kess has publically stated he never asked to be traded, but what else is he supposed to say? Last year the Canucks were obviously talking to a few teams about a possible Kesler trade, some teams came out publically that they wanted him. If Kesler didn't initiate it by asking for a trade why would the Canucks be shopping a player with a NTC? Its fairly obvious what happened, don't you think?

The only way we can guarantee Richie is trade Florida for 1st overall but at 1st it would be hard to pass on Ekblad. Depending on what Florida wants it may be worth it! Otherwise we just cross our fingers and toes!

If Richie wasn't coming back from an injury he would have been 1st or 2nd We only have to look at Burr or Booth to see how an injury takes time to come back from. The last several months Richie has shown he is at full health, he is playing every shift hard and putting up the numbers Some scouts still think he should go 1st, we will see!

I am happy to support the thread, Richie is a great player, if it wasn't for his surgery which slowed him down for the better part of a year, he would be in the mix for 1st overall. Unfortunately, I think he will be chosen higher than 6th. Cheers - Go Canucks