Tag Archives: Roberto Luongo

Iain MacIntyre: Canucks coach Alain Vigneault fired for losing the games that really counted

Posted on May 22, 2013 by admin in Sun Hockey | No comments

VANCOUVER — The National Hockey League is a results-driven business, except when it isn’t.

Alain Vigneault, easily the most successful coach in Vancouver Canucks' history, was fired Wednesday because he didn’t win enough games that really mattered and didn’t fit the template of general manager Mike Gillis’s organizational “reset.”

Vigneault’s dismissal, widely expected after a second straight, first-round playoff exit, ends a seven-year run that saw the Canucks win 313 games, six Northwest Division titles and get within one victory of the 2011 Stanley Cup.

Vigneault was so successful he raised expectations in Vancouver that became impossible to meet the last two years when Gillis underestimated the NHL trend towards bigger, stronger teams and failed to improve the Canucks after their Stanley Cup Final loss to the Boston Bruins.

But Vigneault owned the Canucks’ 1-10 playoff record since Game 5 of the 2011 final, and was accountable for special-teams problems this past regular season and playoffs and his team’s lack of discipline in...

Canucks coach Alain Vigneault quips: The world according to Coach Vee

Posted on May 22, 2013 by admin in Sun Hockey | No comments

VANCOUVER — During his seven seasons behind the Vancouver Canucks bench, Alain Vigneault has had his share of moments in his dealings with the media. Here is the best of AV, quote department:

(You can click here for quotes or read on below)

• “When you have comments like Bolland’s, he’s obviously an individual whose IQ is probably the size of a birdseed. And he has a face that only a mother could look at.” — Responding to Blackhawks centre Dave Bolland calling the Sedin twins 'sisters' during a Chicago radio show.

• “As far as the sex goes, that's none of my business. They can do what they want. I like to have a lot of control but not that part there.” — On what advice he would give to his players during the 2010 playoffs.

• “A man possessed? I shouldn’t be laughing.” — Asked if he felt soft forward Kyle Wellwood's intensity level was on the rise.

• "It's...

Five biggest mistakes the Canucks made this season

Posted on May 22, 2013 by admin in Province Hockey | No comments

If the Canucks were to put together a think tank, they’d probably need a report from a subcommittee to recommend the agenda, size and leader of the committee which would take part.

It’s a team that likes to take its time. Call it navel gazing, building castles in the air or even self-indulgent. The end goal was always admirable. They wanted to be prepared for anything. Probably even an invasion of Lizard Men.

When Mike Gillis was tapped as general manager, it took him four weeks of meetings to conclude he wanted Alain Vigneault to stay on as his coach.

He called it then “an extraordinarily important” decision, even though he didn’t interview anyone else for the job.

Just imagine what he calls the coaching decision left staring him in the face after the Canucks’ second straight first-round faceplant.

Evidently, breaking up is hard to do.

In the past, the time the team is taking to pull the trigger, one way or another, would...

Five unexpected things that derailed the Canucks this season

Posted on May 21, 2013 by admin in Province Hockey | No comments

If the Canucks were to put together a think tank, they’d probably need a report from a subcommittee to recommend the agenda, size and leader of the committee which would take part.

When Mike Gillis was tapped as general manager, it took him four weeks of meetings to conclude he wanted Alain Vigneault to stay on as his coach.

He called it then “an extraordinarily important” decision, even though he didn’t interview anyone else for the job.

Just imagine what he calls the coaching decision left staring him in the face after the Canucks’ second straight first-round faceplant.

Evidently, breaking up is hard to do.

In the past, the time the team is taking to pull the trigger, one way or another, would...

Banished: Rap sheet and reputation led to Torres’ suspension

Posted on May 16, 2013 by admin in Province Hockey | No comments

If you’re outraged over the Raffi Torres suspension, you may want to pace yourself.

You may need some of that anger next season.

Torres, National Hockey League bad boy, and designated headhunter, will be on the Canucks’ radar this summer as the they look to add size and some, ahem, intimidation through free agency.

Torres brings both, along with his hall-of-shame-worthy rap sheet.

At least, the old Torres would have brought both. Who knows what kind of imprint Brendan Shanahan’s boot has left on Torres’s game after suspending him for the rest of the second round for a hit many around the NHL believed to be clean.

Actually, the suspension was for his reputation and six previous times he had supplemental discipline. The hit? It would have been fine if it was just about anyone else in the league executing it.

Can Torres ever hit again?

If the NHL had its way, the answer would likely be no. The league is out to lobotomize the...

Botchford: Bad contracts not just a Canucks’ thing

Posted on May 15, 2013 by admin in Province Hockey | No comments

As second-round playoff hockey begins simmering around the NHL, there is still no joy in Mudville.

It’s been nine long days since the Vancouver Canucks last played, and would anyone be surprised if there are nine more before there’s word on Alain Vigneault’s future?

OK, that could be a bit much.

At least the wait to learn Vigneault’s fate is keeping fans distracted from the cruel and unusual punishment of another summer of Roberto Luongo speculation.

If it’s any consolation, the players at the Luongo poker table should have changed. After the embittered, some would say personal, negotiation with the Toronto Maple Leafs, it’s unlikely the Canucks or the Leafs will be willing to go back down the Luongo road.

The Leafs have their guy in James Reimer — they think — and the Canucks should have options. And not just the Philadelphia Flyers, who were kicking Luongo trade tires at the deadline. There will be a lot of moving goalie chairs soon...

Burrows: Canucks’ inability to ‘close games out is … frustrating, embarrassing’

Posted on May 12, 2013 by admin in Province Hockey | No comments

Humility, affordability and loyalty best describe the past four seasons for Alex Burrows. Reality may best describe the next four.

The Vancouver Canucks right winger has a four-year, $18 million US contract extension that kicks in next season and includes a no-trade clause. It's a palatable $4.5 million annual salary cap hit and the yearly payout of $6 million, $5 million, $4 million and $3 million rewards slogging through a previous deal that made Burrows one of the best NHL bargains at $2 million annually.

However, nobody understands the deep unrest sparked by being swept in the Western Conference quarterfinal series more than Burrows. He knows one postseason victory the last two springs has put the entire organization under the microscope and that the coaching staff may be gutted. Core players may be moved as general manager Mike Gillis attempts to re-set the organization under the constraints of a reduced $64.3 million salary cap ceiling that the club has already...

Canucks face killer cap crunch in reset mode

Posted on May 10, 2013 by admin in Sun Hockey | No comments

VANCOUVER — It’s not a rebuild or a reload for the Vancouver Canucks, it's a reset.

Whatever the term — and reset is kind of a catchy one, don't you think? — general manager Mike Gillis has some work to do in massaging the Canucks’ lineup. And it's going to be all about money.

The Canucks have been a spend-to-the-cap team under Gillis, but that cap is coming down significantly in the 2013-14 season due to the lockout that squandered millions in NHL revenues. Gillis will have to shed at least $6 million in salary to stay within the new $64.3-million limit.

The Canucks currently have 16 players under contract for 2013-14 at a total cost of $63,502,777. This includes out-going netminder Roberto Luongo (we think, finally) and out-of-favour defenceman Keith Ballard, which would remove more than $9.5 million of cap space.

The 16 players are broken down into two goalies, six defencemen and eight forwards, certainly not enough to ice a...

Roberto Luongo says goodbye again; hopes he’s not saying hello next fall

Posted on May 9, 2013 by admin in Sun Hockey | No comments

VANCOUVER — This time, Roberto Luongo really does hope it's goodbye. Of course, he said so long last year at this time and we all know what happened.

But on Thursday, when he joined the rest of the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena for a final team get-together, Luongo made it clear that he does think it's time to move on. Actually, way past time.

"I have made that statement before," Luongo said as he leaned against a wall outside the team dressing room. "I feel like I am in a stage of my life where I want to play. Whether that's here or somewhere else remains to be seen. But what has happened over the course of the last two years suggests that maybe it's not my place to be the starter here anymore. That being said, things change so, who knows."

If Luongo learned anything this past season, it's to expect the unexpected. He didn't think he'd start...

Gallagher: 2012-13 a bridge too far for Vigneault

Posted on May 9, 2013 by admin in Province Hockey | No comments

When Mike Gillis said all those good things about Alain Vigneault at his Thursday press conference, there is absolutely no question he meant every one of them, and when the coach is fired, it won’t mean there’s been any change to those feelings — it just means it’s time for a change.

In fact, it’s long, long overdue, and the only reason Vigneault coached here and not in Montreal this season is because Gillis felt strongly he should continue.

There have been reports he refused to sign his own contract extension unless the organization was going to renew Vigneault at the same time, though Gillis denied that Thursday. But ownership has been sour on the coach now for some time, so when the move is made, nobody should feel the coach is being maligned or put upon.

It turns out the ownership was right, and among mistakes Gillis has made, this is one he’s almost certain never to repeat — wait...

End of an era for this Canucks team

Posted on May 7, 2013 by admin in Province Hockey | No comments

They were, arguably, the most extraordinary Vancouver Canucks’ teams in the four-decade-plus history of the NHL franchise.

But the Canucks might be looking at an ordinary future.

Questions will be asked after Tuesday’s 4-3 overtime loss to the San Jose Sharks — the Sharks sweeping aside the Canucks in four straight games.

A collective cringe was felt by Canuck fans across the province when the OT winner went in, with some taking to social media to vent their frustration.

“Gutted ... long summer ahead. Time to rebuild and rehab,” wrote Amy Bosch on Twitter.

“I’m not going to blame to refs like some hockey casual, the Canucks weren’t the better team and that’s why they lost. Time for an overhaul,” wrote@NickyNasty.

“I can’t believe the Canucks are out. So heartbroken.” tweeted Nim Bedi.

It’s the second straight year the Canucks have lost in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs — and a team that was one game from its first championship 23 months...

Canucks Game Day: Burrows believes taking risks off rush will extend series

Posted on May 7, 2013 by admin in Province Hockey | No comments

SAN JOSE — It’s not you, it’s me. Or maybe it’s you and me.

They have met and talked it out among themselves. They heard how Roberto Luongo strongly suggested the level of personal sacrifice required to play beyond tonight, but they will be backstopped by Cory Schneider. And instead of Kevin Bieksa playing the predictable playoff blame game Monday by accusing the San Jose Sharks of embellishment to draw penalties in an attempt to shift the focus, the Vancouver Canucks must draw upon a collective resolve.

They must find a way to score more than one or two goals if they expect to avoid being swept in their Western Conference quarterfinal series. And whatever their identity is, or was, they should take it to the Sharks instead of putting such an emphasis on defence. Take a chance. Blow the zone. Hang on to pucks and gain the offensive zone instead of the lame dump-and-chase game. Get to Antti Niemi....

Canucks chewed up 5-2 by Sharks in Game 3, face elimination on Tuesday

Posted on May 5, 2013 by admin in Sun Hockey | No comments

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Dead Team Skating.

That pretty much describes the Vancouver Canucks, who for the second straight year find themselves down 3-0 in a first-round playoff series.

The San Jose Sharks struck for three quick goals early in the third period Sunday night to beat the Canucks 5-2 before a raucous crowd at the HP Pavilion.

It was Stinko de Mayo on Cinco de Mayo for the Canucks, who were awful. The Sharks will try and complete a four-game sweep here on Tuesday night (7 p.m., TSN, Team 1040). Based on what happened here Sunday night, you have to like their chances.

Cory Schneider, after a two-week absence due to an undisclosed injury, started in goal for the Canucks. But he didn't finish the game.

CANUCKS-SHARKS GAME 3 PHOTOS

Schneider was chased at 4:07 of the third when Logan Couture scored his second of the period. Earlier in the third, Couture and Patrick Marleau had scored goals nine seconds apart...

Cam Cole: Canucks’ biggest issue not Cory Schneider or Roberto Luongo in wake of Game 3 loss

Posted on May 5, 2013 by admin in Sun Hockey | No comments

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Cory Schneider’s “body injury” has healed. His other wounds, apparently not.

And worst of all, his goal-scoring drought continues.

Schneider, re-inserted as the starting goalie for Game 3 by coach Alain Vigneault for no other reason than because he thought it was the right thing to do, was lit up for three early third-period goals -- two of them by the amazing Logan Couture -- to seal the Vancouver Canucks’ fate, both for the evening and for another abbreviated Stanley Cup playoff run.

Perhaps “run” isn’t the right word.

CANUCKS-SHARKS GAME PHOTOS

Because, of course, they are done now. Down 3-0 in the series, with Game 4 here at HP Pavilion on Tuesday, they don’t look remotely able -- certainly not mentally -- to handle what the San Jose Sharks are throwing at them.

The Sharks poured three quick ones past Schneider in the first five minutes of the third period to take a 5-1 lead, bringing Roberto Luongo...