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Canucks to hire head coach after draft - Desjardins looks like front runner


TheRussianRocket.

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@TSNBobMcKenzie:

Nothing signed yet, but Willie Desjardins will be in VAN this weekend. Assuming all goes as expected, he'll be introduced as coach next wk.

@sportsnetmurph:

Willie Desjardins is certainly the front runner for the #canucks head coaching job, but the plan is to still interview Scott Arniel as well.

@SportsnetSpec:

Had nice chat w/Willie Desjardins a month ago on possibility of his first NHL head coaching job. Interesting cat: http://t.co/OlHmKM2py0

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OP:

http://www.thescore.com/nhl/news/522615

Report: Canucks won't hire head coach until after the NHL Draft

The Vancouver Canucks have been without a head coach since the club fired John Tortorella in early May. While the Canucks' search for a new head coach has reportedly included at least four candidates already, with two more set to interview this week, it's unlikely that the team will have a coach in place before the 2014 NHL Entry Draft on June 27 reports Sportsnet's Dan Murphy.

Murphy also reports that Portland Winterhakws head coach Mike Johnston, TSN analyst Marc Crawford, former Panthers head coach Peter Horachek, and recently fired Penguins head coach Dan Bylsma have already interviewed for the job.

It was reported Tuesday that the Canucks requested permission to interview two-time Canucks minor league coach and current New York Rangers assistant Scott Arniel. The Rangers have apparently given Vancouver their blessing, as Murphy reports that the Canucks will interview Arniel at some point this week.

Vancouver is also reportedly set to interview Texas Stars head coach Willie Desjardins, although whether they'll get a shot at talking to him before the Pittsburgh Penguins do is an open question.

Finally, it appears that Vancouver requested permission from the Detroit Red Wings to speak with Grand Rapids Griffins head coach Jeff Blashill, but were rebuffed. They also reportedly attempted to speak with the Los Angeles Kings about assistant coach John Stevens, a front runner for the club's head coaching position last summer, but Stevens has been promoted internally and is off the market.

@sportsnetmurph:

So far the #canucks have interviewed M. Johnson, Crawford, Horachek and Bylsma. Desjardins and Arniel interviews should happen this week.

@sportsnetmurph:

#canucks wanted to talk to Stevens and Blashill but the Kings and Wings wouldn't let them go. Coach won't be hired until after draft.

Seems those are the candidates Benning & Linden will have to choose from. My preference would be either one of Johnston or Desjardins.
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That's a dick move by Holland.

No more dick than Lombardi at LA. These guys are being groomed to be the next head coach at their clubs ... I say, OK, why not. Not a dick move at all, just protecting their assets and having a plan in place even for the coach position.

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No more dick than Lombardi at LA. These guys are being groomed to be the next head coach at their clubs ... I say, OK, why not. Not a dick move at all, just protecting their assets and having a plan in place even for the coach position.

Yea, it's a safe move and one they can choose to make. Nothing wrong with it at all.

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Out of that list I'm hoping for Desjardins but I'm afraid that Pittsburgh might swoop in and sign him if Linden and Benning take too much time with their choice.

I feel the same...you snooze...you lose.

Willie Desjardins is in demand.

TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie reports that both the Vancouver Canucks and Pittsburgh Penguins have asked the Dallas Stars for permission to speak to the Calder Cup-winning coach of their AHL-affiliate Texas Stars.

Desjardins, 58, just wrapped a 4-1 series win over the St. John's IceCaps to capture the Calder Cup. He has served as the Stars had coach for the past two seasons, following a three-year stint as an assitant coach with Dallas.

The native of Climax, Saskatchewan also won a WHL championship in 2004 as coach of the Medicine Hat Tigers.

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