NHL Rumors: How bad are things with the Vancouver Canucks?
Anthony Scultore
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The Vancouver Canucks are in trouble as they’re dealing with their second straight slow start to a season.
Travis Green lost his job due to the last one, is Bruce Boudreau already on the chopping block?
“Well, we know the temperature is rising,” Pierre LeBrun said. We know that Vancouver Canucks fans continue to scream for answers, but the reality is, it’s not that simple. The Vancouver Canucks still believe that it is too early to do anything significant or anything that is overly drastic.”
NHL Rumors: Vancouver Canucks in trouble
So how bad are things in Vancouver? Well, they’re off to a 0-5-2 start and Canucks fans are throwing jerseys on the ice.
“If they want to throw their [stuff] on the ice it’s up to them,” J.T. Miller said after their most recent loss.
“If they want to come to the game, spend all that money and throw their gear on the ice, that’s up to them,” he continued. “Go ahead. I’ve got a job to do.”
Miller, 29, has to be feeling the heat after signing a massive 8-year extension. This season he has 4 goals and 5 points in 7 games, but his -5 rating is what’s eating away at him.
The question remains, what will the Canucks do to shake things up? A trade this early is out of the question, but a coaching change is always a possibility.
“There’s certainly no guarantee that that player, the right player, is going to be available in a timely enough fashion,” LeBrun added. “And then perhaps most appealing to Canucks fans because of how sour they are is the firing of the coach. Again, not quite there, but it’s headed in one of those three directions. Tough spot for Bruce Boudreau and the Canucks management.”
A potential coaching change was also given a boost based on recent comments made by GM Patrik Allvin. He in essence seemed to take some credit away from Boudreau for the turnaround last season, stating teams may have taken the Canucks lightly after their poor start.
For now Boudreau is safe, but the watch is on. As to a possible replacement? Barry Trotz has already stated that he’d be intrigued to coach an Original Six team.
That being said, if the money is right, I could see Trotz coaching the Canucks.