WWYDW: The Right Side

Howdy, soldiers. Since J.D. Burke is a liberal elitist and I am a man of the people, I’ll be taking over WWYDW from this point onward. 

Last night’s 7-2 thrashing at the hands of the Rangers notwithstanding, it’s actually been a relatively decent week for the Canucks. They picked up a pair of wins against New York and Dallas, and actually managed to score five whole goals in each of those wins. The biggest (positive) story over that time was the inspired play of rookie Troy Stecher, who even scored his first goal of the season on Sunday against the Stars. 

With Chris Tanev expected to return shortly, this leaves the Canucks with a logjam on the right side, with Stecher, Tryamkin, and Larsen all vying for a spot on the third pairing. So this week’s question is simple: Which right-handed defenseman comes out of the lineup when Chris Tanev returns?

Last week J.D. asked: If Desjardins is relieved of his duties, who should run the Canucks bench and in what capacity? 

If you did make a change — and I’m not sure it would make any difference with this roster — then it should be an interim person like Jarvis rather than Green. But to be honest I think Desjardins IS the interim before the roster gets appreciably better (with the development of young players). I think he stays the season if the Canucks end the first 20 games somewhere near five hundred (which again isn’t out of the question — we’re 5-8-1, not 0-13-1)

I think it doesn’t matter which coach you choose as long as the management team dreams of being competitive in the playoffs.

Once management comes around to the idea that this year has to be a development year, and making the playoffs is a bonus, you can effectively choose the next coach.

When management comes around, I think you look at Jarvis as an interm coach. Throwing Green to the wolves is really bad for the Canucks, Green’s career, and Utica.

Having said that, I’d still like to give Willie the freedom to develop players as a first priority, and see how he does. I don’t believe he is as bad as it currently appears, and the defense only marching orders he has been given really seen to clash with his abilities.

If Willie has issues developing players, then hopefully some better options are available when it is time to replace him.

I have not seen enough development from Utica players to the NHL that would give Travis Green such a ringing endorsement. I think Ralph Krueger got a total raw deal in Edmonton – he actually was starting to get something out of Yakapov until he got Kevin Lowe’d. I also think he did “a real good job” with Team Europe. Bring him back before Calgary realized Gulutzan was a mistake. 

Expectations matter. If a new coach is brought in with the same roster and same goals as WD had, undoubtedly there will be far too many challenges to overcome. Travis Green is the obvious replacement, but any new coach needs new and lower expectations for at least this season. Green or another new coach needs to be relieved of the pressure of making the playoffs and being a contender for the foreseeable future.

I’ve given up on Willie, although the team’s struggles should not be pinned on him, and I don’t expect any coach to get them in the playoffs.

I just want to see better decision making with the roster overall, with the makeup of the lines, with the style of play, and even with the choice of who to use in a shootout when we do get there.

I stuck up for him after the Calgary playoffs, and through the entire season last year. Now I feel that it’s time to try a fresh approach, a different viewpoint on our players, and a different voice.

I think it should be an experienced coach, not Travis Green, and I don’t know who that is, but I don’t think he’s the answer. Losing is fine, but last night aside, it’s been excruciating to watch. I’ve seen a lot of losing Canucks teams over the years, and seen better coaches fired for lesser sins. It’s time.