[Discussion] Who will be the Canucks next coach? (Updated)

[Gyllenhaal]

With Barry Trotz soon to be named head coach of the Washington Capitals I thought we could look at the Remaining top Candidates for the head coaching job. Willie Desjardins, Adam Oates, John Stevens.

Willie Desjardins

Willie Desjardins is the head coach of the Texas Stars of the American Hockey League.

hired by the Medicine Hat Tigers, Willie was instrumental in the Tigers first playoff appearance in five years in the 2002–2003 season, leading them to a Memorial Cup appearance and their 4th WHL championship in 2003–2004, and a 96 point Eastern Conference regular season champion 2004–2005 season. Desjardins took on the duties of General Manager for the 2005–2006 season.

From 2010 to 2012, Desjardins served as the associate head coach of the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League before being selected as the head coach of their AHL team in Cedar Park, Texas in June 2012.

Willie has a vision and knows exactly how he wants his teams to play, and his style most notably is suitable to how the Canucks have been built. He knows exactly how to deal with his players because he understands that every player needs to be dealt differently based on their character and personality. He knows what buttons to push, and if and when he needs to push them. He knows how to get the best out of each individual so that they can contribute to their team’s success.

Willie’s teams are held accountable through their core values, their goals and their vision. His vision is very clear: to win a championship. His teams are successful because he gets the most out of his leadership groups. Groups that are carefully constructed to ensure every different friendship group, or cliques that come out of a dressing room, are on the same page. Willie knows how to utilize his team’s strengths, while constantly improving their weaknesses.

Adam Oates

The same day that he was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame, June 26, 2012, Oates returned to Washington, where he was named the 16th head coach in franchise history, succeeding Dale Hunter who had decided not to renew his contract. Oates' former teammates praised his appointment as head coach, calling him a "detail-oriented players' coach" with excellent communication skills. While the 2012–13 NHL lockout delayed Oates' debut with the Capitals, he acted as co-coach with Mark French for Washington's AHL affiliate, the Hershey Bears.

When the NHL resumed for an abbreviated 2012–13 season, Oates and the Capitals struggled initially and won only two of their first 11 games. The team improved throughout the season, however, and went from last place in the Southeast Division to first; they won 15 of their final 19 games to win the division title. Oates' players praised his positive outlook and willingness to work closely with them as a primary reasons why the team was able to turn its season around. The Capitals were defeated in the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs, however, losing to the New York Rangers in seven games.

Per @Team1040

Adam Oates on Canucks coaching job: "I don't think there's any guy in hockey who wouldn't want to coach the Canucks. First, it's a fantastic city. great sports town. They've got a good defense, young goaltending, and obviously an opportunity to coach the Sedins. I think I could make them productive. Ryan Kesler too. There's not a single guy who wouldn't consider it."

John Stevens

Prior to joining the Kings, Stevens served as the Head Coach of the Philadelphia Flyers (2006-09) and had a 120-109-34 record while leading the Flyers to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2008.

The native of Campbellton, New Brunswick, took over as the Flyers Head Coach on October 22, 2006, after beginning the 2006-07 campaign as the club’s Assistant Coach. The Flyers were 21-42-11 under Stevens in 2006-07, before having a great turn-around in 2007-08 (the Flyers had an NHL-best 39-point improvement from the year before). Following that season The Hockey News honored Stevens with their Coach of the Year Award.

In 2007-08 the Flyers went 42-29-11 in the regular season and qualified for the playoffs before eliminating Washington in the first round and top-seeded Montreal in the second round. Stevens guided Philadelphia to a 99-point season in 2008-09 (44-27-11) and the team’s second consecutive playoff appearance. He was 13-11-1 to start the 2009-10 campaign before he was relieved of his duties on December 4, 2009. That Flyers club eventually reached the 2010 Stanley Cup Final.

Before his NHL coaching tenure, Stevens was the Head Coach of the Philadelphia Phantoms (the Flyers’ AHL affiliate) for six years (2000-01 through 2005-06). His Phantoms made the playoffs four times and won the Calder Cup Championship in 2005.

These 3 sound like they are the top candidates, both Desjardins and Stevens have their teams in the playoffs so they won't be able to be interviewed until they are eliminated or have won their League's championship. Don't expect to see a coached hired until all 3 are available to be interviewed.

So who would you like to see as our next coach?

[Gstank29]

i would like Dineen to be are next head coach. He brought canada a gold medal in the olympics, where we were considered an underdog to the US. But also pulled off the miracle that was florida getting into the playoffs 2 years ago.

IF not Dineen then Trotz please

edit: florida was 2 years ago

[Piggy Bank]

Oates and Trotz pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeee

[Honky Cat]

All I want is a coach that will have the Canucks play a good attacking puck possession style..Not a 'dump and case' trapping system (we won't anyway because Linden has said as much)..

[Tom Sestito]

Oates and Trotz pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeee

no.

[RL.]

If Oates would agree, he would be an ideal guy to bring in to work with the PP as an assistant coach. He did wonders with the Caps PP, especially with the 1-3-1 setup to create the cross crease chances that the Sedins love to use. Could see Kesler playing Ovi's role and being the left point that rushes in for the one-timer.

If Oates would agree to come in alongside a Trotz/Stevens/Dineen, it would do wonders for this organization. Need to bring in personnel that demands respect, and that starts at the top and works its way into the dressing room with the coaching staff.

My ideal coaching staff would have Stevens as the head coach. Stanley cup ring (maybe another this season?), and a mastermind at creating defensive zone coverages. People point to Sutter and give him all the glory for the Kings success since he took over, but Stevens has had a huge impact on that team, especially orchestrating their dominant defense.

Hopefully the picture is a bit clearer in the next couple days after an announcement of a GM.

[canucks155]

Trotz. If we're going for the playoffs or developing young guns, he can do both. He coached Nashville to the 2nd round in 2011 and has developed many good players; mainly dmen which we lack. Highly respected coach and won't lose a room.

[Guest Dasein]

Trotz as head coach.

Oates as assistant running PP.

In a perfect world.

Reality: if we can get either (leaning towards Trotz more), I would be happy.

[Angry Goose]

Good article on Willie Desjardins

[Jiggs50]

Trotz as head coach.

Oates as assistant running PP.

In a perfect world.

Reality: if we can get either (leaning towards Trotz more), I would be happy.

Yeah both would be sickk

[Peaches]

I don't think Dineen is getting enough credit around here. The guy made the Panthers win their division with the Jose Theodore in net and Tomas Fleischmann as their leading scorer. I would love him here personally.

[Watermelons]

If Trotz expressed interest in coaching here I think we would be dumb to not take him. People always criticize him for playing a defensive-minded style but he couldn't really do anything else with the players he was given in Nashville. He has shown he can make more with less and I think our team could definitely make the playoffs under him. If anything, he will fix up Edler's play and improve our defensive play overall.

If we could also persuade Oates to come to Vancouver as an assistant coach to work on the powerplay that would be perfect. We would have a good balance between two so called "offensive minded" and "defensive minded" coaches.

[Mr.DirtyDangles]

Trotz ? No thanks to boring NSH hockey. Oates and Dineen combo please, who cares in what capacity. They will bring elite NHL player experience into room.

Great thread Huberdeau

[smithers joe]

the new gm will want someone that he can trust and know they are on the same page.....i wouldn't be surprised if the coach he chooses, isn't even on that list....once the head coach is chosen, he hires the rest of the coaching staff.

[RogerEpic5]

Both Oates and Trotz would be great.

[YummyCakeFace]

I'd like to see what Trotz could do with a team that has an owner willing to spend to the cap. I'd also like to see what he could do with Edler. Might be an ideal hire for this team.

[Boudrias]

the new gm will want someone that he can trust and know they are on the same page.....i wouldn't be surprised if the coach he chooses, isn't even on that list....once the head coach is chosen, he hires the rest of the coaching staff.

Without doubt it is always the prerogative of the GM to sign his coach. If it is Benning, there are suggestions that he would hire the Boston AHL coach who he is close with.

The only fly in this ointment is that Linden has indicated he wants a hands on role in managing the Canucks. There is potential for conflict between him and the GM for that reason. I doubt it from Linden's side as he has always been a team player.

I like the idea of Trotz. He knows the West and has demonstrated for years that he can teach and draw the best out of his players. He did it on a CAP hit that always was on the bottom. How quickly people

forget that the Preds treaded on bankruptcy for many years. How many quality players did Trotz lose

because they wanted more money than the Preds could afford. I am surprised he did not leave himself.

[Maniwaki Canuck]

For me, Trotz, Stevens, Oates and Dineen would all be worth interviewing. Trotz and Dineen for their resourcefulness, getting the most out of their lineups, Oates and Stevens for their offensive and defensive coaching prowess, respectively. With Bylsma now available, that's another possibility, but I'm not sure I'm that interested.

Whoever it is needs to be a good teacher, since we need to work a number of prospects in over the next few years and try to salvage Edler's potential, assuming he stays with us. From that perspective, it's hard not to like Trotz.

[DefCon1]

All I want is a coach that will have the Canucks play a good attacking puck possession style..Not a 'dump and case' trapping system (we won't anyway because Linden has said as much)..

I think Trotz could adjust just like AV. If we want to build a cup contending team, we should do it the right way. Hire a coach that has lots of experience and has been nominated for Jack Adams many times. Trotz will make this team a contender in no time. In fact, even if we don't do anything, we will still make the playoffs just because Trotz could get the most out of our players unlike Torts.

[DefCon1]

Trotz ? No thanks to boring NSH hockey. Oates and Dineen combo please, who cares in what capacity. They will bring elite NHL player experience into room.

Great thread Huberdeau

Nashville is only boring because their GM can't draft forwards. They don't even have a forward that can score 20 goals.