-TheVancouverCanucks- Posted December 11, 2014 Share Posted December 11, 2014 Last Year: We can all genuinely say that the Vancouver Canucks had quite an unusual year under head coach John Tortorella. After getting beaten in the first round of the playoffs for the second time in two years, general manager Mike Gillis finally decided to pull the trigger and fire long term coach Alain Vigneault. That was the year change was supposed to come and many fans believed that a defense minded coach like John Tortorella was exactly what the Canucks organization needed. The Canucks cruised to 53 points in 41 games played with a 23-11-7 record by January 1st, 2014. However, that's when things went downhill and the Canucks ended up with only 83 points in 82 games played with a 36-35-11 record. This collapse resulted in the Canucks not making the playoffs for the first time in six years. The Change: The Canucks had a new slogan during the off-season; "Change Is Coming," and to be honest a lot has changed from last year. Firstly, general manager Mike Gillis got fired along with head coach John Tortorella and assistant coach Mike Sullivan. Secondly, Trevor Linden an icon of the Vancouver Canucks got hired as the President of Hockey Operations and I'm sure many fans are happy to have him back in the Canucks organization. Thirdly, Trevor Linden went on to hire Jim Benning as the new general manager for the Canucks and he made his move shortly after, hiring Willie Desjardins as the new head coach of the Vancouver Canucks. The revamped management team then went on to add new players to the roster which includes the likes of Nick Bonino, Luca Sbisa, Radim Vrbata, Linden Vey, and Derek Dorsett. With so many changes during the off-season, one would expect this team to have a different identity compared to last year. Did It Work? The Vancouver Canucks are off to another strong start to this years campaign with a record of 18-9-2 resulting in 38 points in 29 games played. However, the Canucks have lost the past 3 games and some fans are starting to wonder if this team is heading towards a collapse again. Many members of CDC lack the optimism to be considered true fans and you can judge this by yourself by reading the first ten comments of the PGT for the Canucks Vs Canadiens game on December 9th, 2014. Personally, I feel very confident about this team even though they've had a similar start compared to last year. I feel like things could end differently this year because the quality of the team is quite different compared to last years team. The coach is preaching a new philosophy this year and it feels like the players are buying into it with much more ease than last year. Most of all, I feel like the Canucks are having fun again. I don't know about you, but I think "fun" is what was lacking with last years team and it's good to see it back again. As a fan, I'm having a lot of fun watching this team and if you feel the same way I do then let's be a little more optimistic towards this team and show support when we win and when we lose. After all you can't win them all, but a 16-12 record is all you need to be crowned the Stanley Cup Champions! Discuss: So as a fan, how do you feel about watching this team compared to the past few years. Be a little specific with your response and explain what kind of change you notice, if any.Personally, this team reminds me of the 2011 Finals team, don't ask me why, it just does. Waiting to hear all of your responses! Go Canucks Go! #WeAreAllCanucks -TheVancouverCanucks- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
etsen3 Posted December 11, 2014 Share Posted December 11, 2014 Change is ongoing, I think the "reset" has just started and as our core continues to age we'll need to add more pieces. Having said that, the organization is off to a great start. There is a much more positive culture around the franchise, the team appears to be having fun and gaining confidence. Last year, even when we were winning games, the team felt stale, like we were slowly getting worse. I think the Canucks are back on the upswing, but management will have to continue to be proactive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRussianRocket. Posted December 11, 2014 Share Posted December 11, 2014 Imo it truly did. This team - the entire organization, top to bottom starting with management all the way down to the locker room - is day and night compared to last year. A huge breath of fresh air and you have to appreciate it. Better efforts every game, a positive team, great mindset, an identity that fits the players etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nuck nit Posted December 11, 2014 Share Posted December 11, 2014 The 'Change' is all encompassing as it is a complete change of management and coaches along with Trevor in as President.Francesco had a hockey epiphany and the result is a Canucks management and coaching team that is experienced and competent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pears Posted December 11, 2014 Share Posted December 11, 2014 Good first post. The team this year is so much deeper and different than last years that I really doubt will suffer a similar collapse. For example, we finally got the Sedins the pure scorer they've needed, whereas last year their RW was rotated between Burrows, Kesler, and Santorelli, two of which are no longer Canucks. Our bottom six is contributing significantly as opposed to last year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HerrDrFunk Posted December 11, 2014 Share Posted December 11, 2014 The boys look like they're having fun again when they play. No one looked happy last year. That's a great start. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YEGCanuck Posted December 11, 2014 Share Posted December 11, 2014 In my opinion there are 2 areas that seem to have experienced the most change from last season. The first is with the leadership of the organization. Linden, Benning and Desjardins are excellent hires. This speaks well of the commitment of the Canucks ownership. This group will be together for a long time and will ultimately have sustained success. On the ice the depth of our third and fourth lines are critical factors. Also the continued investment in our prospect development system is a strategic advantage that will pay dividends over time. As much as some NHL fans may like to dislike the Canucks I believe they recognize our organization is shining example of a well run sport business operation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mathew Barzal Posted December 11, 2014 Share Posted December 11, 2014 Okay you know what, I'd actually like some clarification on this true fan stuff. Because according to OP, I'm not one. Is optimism really the defining factor? Because I am optimistic in certain regards, just not a lot of them right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burnsey Posted December 11, 2014 Share Posted December 11, 2014 Yes, we are slowly settling in a new core of the future. We traded a 30year old Kesler. While our core is still aging every year (Sedins, Burrows, Edler, Bieksa) we have introduced new young players who will get better and become the core of the future (Horvat, Vey, Bonino - I include him as his breakout season seemed to be last year) In previous years, it seems management thought about the present not the future. Here we have young blood in the line-up to learn instead of waiting for an injury to get a call-up. Not to mention instead of 2 strong lines they have forgotton about contracts/salaries and put together the best 4 lines within the roster we have. Granted our roster is much stronger but still having 4 lines for the first time in what 5+ years. Can't be a coincidence that it came about with new management and leadership! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miltt Posted December 11, 2014 Share Posted December 11, 2014 Last Year: We can all genuinely say that the Vancouver Canucks had quite an unusual year under head coach John Tortorella. After getting beaten in the first round of the playoffs for the second time in two years, general manager Mike Gillis finally decided to pull the trigger and fire long term coach Alain Vigneault. That was the year change was supposed to come and many fans believed that a defense minded coach like John Tortorella was exactly what the Canucks organization needed. The Canucks cruised to 53 points in 41 games played with a 23-11-7 record by January 1st, 2014. However, that's when things went downhill and the Canucks ended up with only 83 points in 82 games played with a 36-35-11 record. This collapse resulted in the Canucks not making the playoffs for the first time in six years. The Change: The Canucks had a new slogan during the off-season; "Change Is Coming," and to be honest a lot has changed from last year. Firstly, general manager Mike Gillis got fired along with head coach John Tortorella and assistant coach Mike Sullivan. Secondly, Trevor Linden an icon of the Vancouver Canucks got hired as the President of Hockey Operations and I'm sure many fans are happy to have him back in the Canucks organization. Thirdly, Trevor Linden went on to hire Jim Benning as the new general manager for the Canucks and he made his move shortly after, hiring Willie Desjardins as the new head coach of the Vancouver Canucks. The revamped management team then went on to add new players to the roster which includes the likes of Nick Bonino, Luca Sbisa, Radim Vrbata, Linden Vey, and Derek Dorsett. With so many changes during the off-season, one would expect this team to have a different identity compared to last year. Did It Work? The Vancouver Canucks are off to another strong start to this years campaign with a record of 18-9-2 resulting in 38 points in 29 games played. However, the Canucks have lost the past 3 games and some fans are starting to wonder if this team is heading towards a collapse again. Many members of CDC lack the optimism to be considered true fans and you can judge this by yourself by reading the first ten comments of the PGT for the Canucks Vs Canadiens game on December 9th, 2014. Personally, I feel very confident about this team even though they've had a similar start compared to last year. I feel like things could end differently this year because the quality of the team is quite different compared to last years team. The coach is preaching a new philosophy this year and it feels like the players are buying into it with much more ease than last year. Most of all, I feel like the Canucks are having fun again. I don't know about you, but I think "fun" is what was lacking with last years team and it's good to see it back again. As a fan, I'm having a lot of fun watching this team and if you feel the same way I do then let's be a little more optimistic towards this team and show support when we win and when we lose. After all you can't win them all, but a 16-12 record is all you need to be crowned the Stanley Cup Champions! Discuss: So as a fan, how do you feel about watching this team compared to the past few years. Be a little specific with your response and explain what kind of change you notice, if any.Personally, this team reminds me of the 2011 Finals team, don't ask me why, it just does. Waiting to hear all of your responses! Go Canucks Go! #WeAreAllCanucks -TheVancouverCanucks- It's a process. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J2Dzilla Posted December 11, 2014 Share Posted December 11, 2014 Is the OP somehow related to username -Vintage Canuck- :3 Great first post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miltt Posted December 11, 2014 Share Posted December 11, 2014 I firmly believe this team has changed and will usher in different results. Last years' collapse, although I never predicted it and it's so much easier to notice in hindsight, seemed likely due to Torts' gassing of our top guys leading to fatigue never experienced before. He got some good from players who we needed more out of, but generally his methods were a catastrophe. Willie's methods are intriguing, something seems new about how these guys respond or bounce back from setback. Not always, but quite often. I think that'll be important come playoff time as there are so many momentum shifts. Right now perhaps some are panicking but I think those fans need to relax a little and understand we are going through a series of injuries that all teams go through and I think we will again bounce back. We will see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil_314 Posted December 11, 2014 Share Posted December 11, 2014 Found it, here you go: J.B. adapted really well given the hand he was dealt. Seeing how he changed the team around so quickly I think he deserves this fan-base's trust, and hopefully he will strengthen the defensive group with a minor addition. Til then, let's not get too frazzled. The team showed fight even when they were down a lot, and don't forget that this was an exhausting 7-game trip. Weaker performances happen to the best of them. Edit: we also will have potentially FOUR rookies in our lineup (Linden, Bo, Jensen and Frankie)! If that's not a change from the previous regime I don't know what is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluesman60 Posted December 11, 2014 Share Posted December 11, 2014 I have confidence in Linden, Benning and Desjardins and they have the advantage of the cap going up instead of an abrupt drop that the prior management team had to deal with. I like their approach to NTC's, they will approach a player and work on a trade that works for both parties. This is in stark contrast to MG. The new players have had a positive effect on the team, the Sedins and other vets, are happy to see that Benning will make moves to make the team better. One huge change has been the willingness to play some of the prospects as well as build a team in Utica that is competitive. Players that do not fit the future plans are moved. I don't think Linden and Benning are finished making changes but have paused to see what they have in place before more moves are made. There is always room for improvement so change will become the norm and we have the people at the top that will get it done. We lost 3 games in a row but the Ottawa game should never have gone to OT. The ref blew the play dead on Vrbata's goal but that is hockey. One thing that does bother me about this team is that they have forgotten how to finish a check in our zone plus the opposition is having no problem crossing our blue line and setting up. Maybe the players are paranoid about taking a penalty or getting suspended....not sure but they do seem tentative when it comes to hitting in our zone. Lastly, when a fan doesn't hit the 'Wee' button when the team loses, that does not disqualify him from being a true fan as the author suggests, it means he cares passionately about this teams success. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I.Am.Ironman Posted December 11, 2014 Share Posted December 11, 2014 Okay you know what, I'd actually like some clarification on this true fan stuff. Because according to OP, I'm not one. Is optimism really the defining factor? Because I am optimistic in certain regards, just not a lot of them right now. I would say I am more 'reserved'. There are definitely some positives so far this year but as many, you included, have said "it is early" We aren't necessarily all doom and gloom - those ppl are just mind dumb trolls - but we know there is much more hockey to be played and a lot can happen, good or bad. It's a breath of fresh air for sure and they are much more fun to watch, but I also don't see them as contenders regardless of our position in the standings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aliboy Posted December 11, 2014 Share Posted December 11, 2014 The 1st, 3rd and 4th lines are looking good. The Mathias injury was significant because of how that line was lighting things up. The second line is going to need tweaking, but JB has some time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nux4lyfe Posted December 11, 2014 Share Posted December 11, 2014 OP's first post!?! ...Hrmmm must be a Oilers fan trying to make himself feel better, yes, change has come, we are rippin' sh!t up which no one expected and are in a playoff picture. WHAT!? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
250Integra Posted December 11, 2014 Share Posted December 11, 2014 It's still early as we're not even at the half way mark, but the results and on ice product have been optimistic. Like others have said, the players are looking like they're having fun again, and we are getting a balanced attack from all 4 lines - something we have not had in YEARS. This is a true testament to Desjardins coaching methods, and it will pay dividends when/if we make the playoffs. We have never had an effective 4th line like we have this year (even in 2011, our fourth line was Glass, Oreskovich, Bolduc, and other plugs). I'm hoping this team continues to win because we could really surprise a lot of teams in the playoffs. However, this team really needs to work on it's discipline and overall team defense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duodenum Posted December 11, 2014 Share Posted December 11, 2014 Many members of CDC lack the optimism to be considered true fans and you can judge this by yourself by reading the first ten comments of the PGT for the Canucks Vs Canadiens game on December 9th, 2014. -TheVancouverCanucks- lol Optimism =/= true fan It's the proverbial motto of "the optimists" to justify their own positions by calling themselves "true fans" rearing its ugly head again. I don't consider myself an optimist nor a pessimist but this whole believing = true fan!!! thing is really old and, frankly, completely and absolutely dead wrong. If someone doesn't think the team isn't going to do this or that, well that's his/her right and it doesn't make them any less of a fan for thinking so. It just makes them less of an optimist (or more of a realist if the belief is justified). If they're going AHHH Miller sukz balls and I hope we tank for McJesus!! then maybe you'll have a point. On point, it's really hard to judge the Canucks so far into the season. Vrbata has been great, Sedins have looked meh (and look like they have the possibility of slumping like last year -> hopefully not). 2nd line is looking poor after a good start and the Kesler -> Bonino switch is a downgrade. 3rd and 4th lines are doing well. Defense is scrambly and aren't providing anything offensively either. Overall an average team who may or may not squeak into the playoffs is all I can say. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KassquatchianOne Posted December 11, 2014 Share Posted December 11, 2014 Rolling 4 lines. Bottom 6 picking up slack of top 6. Come from behind wins. Yeah this is different. Yeah I like it. All real fans should. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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