Canucks News N Notes 25-26

[Lancer]

There was no compelling reason to keep Foote and his crew. Even if management gave him chickenshit and expected chicken salad out of him and injuries beset the roster, I never saw much development from the younger players even when the direction was tank/develop. Whether it was a fair or unfair fate for Foote, few will shed tears at his departure.

If the Twins and RJ go through a similar process, cast a wide net and talk to people, and still come back to Malhotra I can live with it. He knows the kids, and they know him. More to the point, RJ (and to an extent, the Twins) know what he has in Malhotra. It's not like he has no profile in the league and there has been speculation of him getting offers elsewhere - so it's not a case of utter nepotism. I'll trust that the Twins and RJ will exercise due diligence in the process - I'll give them the benefit of the doubt at this early honeymoon stage.

The question will be who he brings in for assistants - especially for the defencemen. The biggest concentration of youngsters on the roster with upside are defencemen and developing/coaching them properly is probably one of the most critical parts of the rebuild. I don't care too much about their 'X's and O's' skills as long as the system they bring in is digestible to the youngsters. I recall hearing that Foote's system in the defensive zone was hard for the youngsters to get used to.

If it's Malhotra as coach, I'm not going to call nepotism/favouritism. If they hire Manny Sr. AND draft Manny Jr., it will be a harder optic to manage.

[Meds]

If the Twins and RJ go through a similar process, cast a wide net and talk to people, and still come back to Malhotra I can live with it. He knows the kids, and they know him. More to the point, RJ (and to an extent, the Twins) know what he has in Malhotra. It's not like he has no profile in the league and there has been speculation of him getting offers elsewhere - so it's not a case of utter nepotism. I'll trust that the Twins and RJ will exercise due diligence in the process - I'll give them the benefit of the doubt at this early honeymoon stage.

Malhotra has coached Abbotsford for 2 seasons.

In that time he has graduated D-Petey, Karlsson, Raty, and Sasson to the big club.

D-Petey played all of 38 games for him before moving up.

Sasson is not a regular NHL player on a playoff team.

Raty's faceoff prowess can be attributed to Manny, and Karlsson certainly has taken his time.

So 2 players. Cool.

Not slagging Malhotra. Just saying I don't get the hype.

If it's Malhotra as coach, I'm not going to call nepotism/favouritism. If they hire Manny Sr. AND draft Manny Jr., it will be a harder optic to manage.

If they do that then the team loses credibility with the fans about how serious they are in making this a leading organization in the league, imeho.

[Madcombinepilot]

If the Twins and RJ go through a similar process, cast a wide net and talk to people, and still come back to Malhotra I can live with it. He knows the kids, and they know him. More to the point, RJ (and to an extent, the Twins) know what he has in Malhotra. It's not like he has no profile in the league and there has been speculation of him getting offers elsewhere - so it's not a case of utter nepotism. I'll trust that the Twins and RJ will exercise due diligence in the process - I'll give them the benefit of the doubt at this early honeymoon stage.

Malhotra has coached Abbotsford for 2 seasons.

In that time he has graduated D-Petey, Karlsson, Raty, and Sasson to the big club.

D-Petey played all of 38 games for him before moving up.

Sasson is not a regular NHL player on a playoff team.

Raty's faceoff prowess can be attributed to Manny, and Karlsson certainly has taken his time.

So 2 players. Cool.

Not slagging Malhotra. Just saying I don't get the hype.

If it's Malhotra as coach, I'm not going to call nepotism/favouritism. If they hire Manny Sr. AND draft Manny Jr., it will be a harder optic to manage.

If they do that then the team loses credibility with the fans about how serious they are in making this a leading organization in the league, imeho.

Once he won a Calder, he was the next coming of Christ to this media. They have built him into an icon - much like the Mooby- so they can have Bartleby and Loki rain fire and Brimstone on him in 2 years. When this media can not find a villain, they can create one!

In reality, Manny should stay as Abby's coach for continuity. He know what the GM's want him to develop and is a good development coach. Has has proven he can win with a stacked roster at the AHL level, lets see if he can develop another winner in the next 3-4 years.. then give him a trail run when the rebuilding coach has soured his shelf life here.

[Hockey Widow]

More news from somewhere on the web:

Johnson said assistant general managers Emilie Castonguay and Cammi Granato are being retained. “They are a big part of this group and their maturation. Nothing has changed in that regard.” Johnson is also working on filling his old position — GM of AHL affiliate in Abbotsford — which he called “a massive piece of this organization.”

[Picker of Cherries]

It’s hard to believe anyone is surprised Foote is out the door and Manny will be in his place.
No need for an extensive search when they know who he is and what they want.
They all won a Calder Cup together. They played like a cult in Abbotsford. That’s exactly what they want to replicate with the big club.
I’ll be shocked, absolutely shocked if Manny isn’t the next head coach. As soon as RJ was hired, I thought that was already decided.
Foote was only here to appease Hughes. He has not been a successful head coach at any level.

I also don’t see the huge problem drafting Caleb when Manny is the head coach, but that’s just me.

[Megaterio Llamas]

Mr Aquilini has indeed decided to keep Cammi and Emilie around.

Will they be speaking to Jessica Campbell about the head coaching job?

[Hockey Widow]

I found his presser to be refreshing. He sounds confident and honest, as honest as he can be that is. No BS or spin.

1) What is he looking for in a new coach:
-Someone who does not blanket players as all the same, they all have different development paths and skills.
-Someone who can work with and develop younger players.
-Consistency
-Can create the environment to learn and grow where everyone is on the same page

2) Timeline to hire:
-Does not think he needs to cast to wide a net as it dilutes the process
-Was honest that Manny is high on his list and he plans to talk to him real soon as to his future.
-Didn't evade the obvious
-No one has asked for permission to speak to Manny and he wants to be the first one to speak to him before he can decide if he would grant permission to another team. My take, Manny is his choice but if there is no meeting of the minds then he would let Manny speak to other teams.

3) Abbotsford:
-Filling the vacant GM spot is his utmost importance
-Critical role in the development of players
-Wants someone who is high on experience in player development

4) Has spoken to a few players/agents but wants his first conversations to be meaningful. Not just fluff.Will reach out with purpose once he has resolved the coaching issue and the GM of Abbotsford. Will deliver one message to everyone about what the new expectations are.

5)Spoke highly of both Ian Clarke and Todd Harvey and says he relies on them both and will continue to do so. Said Harvey and his team have done a great job in finding middle range picks and are excited to be able to draft higher in the order.

6) Was asked if there were conflicts to having Manny as coach and drafting Caleb. Said no, one does not preclude the other. Speaking on the draft he said his gut tells him it will not go as scripted, as to who will be selected 1OA or 2OA and the team needed to be prepared for anything. Has had good meetings so far but no firm decisions made as to their rankings of the players. Confident that they will get a very good player. Yes, BPA, but each team had their own rankings and part of the equation always includes team needs unless their are clear cut choices. This draft has a lot of players ranked very closely. ( I think he is reading this here message board )

[Megaterio Llamas]

More news from somewhere on the web:

Johnson said assistant general managers Emilie Castonguay and Cammi Granato are being retained. “They are a big part of this group and their maturation. Nothing has changed in that regard.” Johnson is also working on filling his old position — GM of AHL affiliate in Abbotsford — which he called “a massive piece of this organization.”

Thanks for the update Wids. I've been pretty positive about events so far.

But that's probably my signal to hop offboard. That they're not serious after all.

[Hockey Widow]

More news from somewhere on the web:

Johnson said assistant general managers Emilie Castonguay and Cammi Granato are being retained. “They are a big part of this group and their maturation. Nothing has changed in that regard.” Johnson is also working on filling his old position — GM of AHL affiliate in Abbotsford — which he called “a massive piece of this organization.”

Thanks for the update Wids. I've been pretty positive about events so far.

But that's probably my signal to hop offboard. That they're not serious after all.

Why would you say that? Emile has been instrumental in cap management and player contracts. From all Accounts Cammi has been very good in the scouting side of things and strong in player development. I dont get the dislike???