So, everybody feel better now? No? I didn’t think so.
Now that Alain Vigneault has been relieved of his duties, he’s probably the only one feeling a sense of relief. Seriously, he still gets paid until he finds another job, so he gets to put his feet up and enjoy the summer without having to worry about the braying of the rabid fanbase and circling media vultures that define the hockey-verse in this town.
But hey, you got your coaching change.
Now what?
Well, blood lust being what it is, the Vancouver fanbase is still not satisfied, nor will they ever be:
So now many have turned their sights on other targets: GM Mike Gillis, the scouting staff, any of a handful of players, including the Sedins and Alex Edler. You get the picture.
Although in many ways, the Canucks fanbase is like the BC electorate. There are many factions with their pet causes, and without a focal point to coalesce against, the complaining will probably subside to a low murmur for the time being.
And if you don’t know what I’m talking about, that’s kind of the point. There are probably people out there that would take ANYBODY over Alain Vigneault.
Much of the comtempt for Alain Vigneault arises simply from his long tenure with the team and not much else. For many of these people, they probably have little to no understanding of Vigneault’s coaching abilities and the innovations he introduced to the game during his time with Vancouver. But if anything, I’m sure those novel approaches to the game are just one more thing to be held against him:
The fact remains he was by far the most successful coach in Canucks history, in large part because of the way he was able to adapt his tactics to the players at his disposal. Sure, there were mistakes made and questionable decisions, including the reluctance to use Jason Garrison on the first unit power play and the inexplicable switch back to a clearly injured Corey Schneider for games 3 and 4. But, as Cam Charron laid out so well, his ultimate failure was in not finding the Fountain of Youth:
AV never learned to teach he was given quality players and some players who needed coaching. Example Ballard kept outta the loop for Alberts. Come on that was AV at his best of disliking a player instead of working him into the system especially there powerplay.we needed ed toughness which was apparent. Kassien will be magic Mikes downfall as was Alberts
Sorry, I don’t buy the “Canucks Aging” argument. Not one bit. Look at the San Jose Sharks – same team for ages, my and large. And yes, same coach. Now they’re doing ok. Older team than the Canucks too.
AV is a fine coach, but listen to the interviews with a few of the players – there are not exactly ringing endorsements across the board. It was time for a new voice.
Like Dobber said, AV is a great coach, AND it was time for a change.
Wasn’t able to teach? Are you kidding me? Tell that to Hansen, Burrows, Higgins… Everyone else who had struggled before being with AV but has flourished since.