[News] Canucks hire Willie Desjardins as Head Coach

[Barca]

Benning was the best GM candidate out there, and now the Canucks get the best coaching candidate... Linden has been on fire with these signing so far.

[sureLoss]

Matthew Sekeres @mattsekeres
Was just told Desjardins spurned #Pens b/c offer was for 2 years only, no authority to hire own assts. Now expected to be hired by #Canucks

[Roof-Daddy]

What in the world has gotten into that organization lately?

First they hire a complete retread GM, and not that good of one after apparently attempting to hire that nutball McGuire, and now they miss out on hiring a real solid coaching candidate because they won't let him hire his own assistants, and will only offer two years?

Lemieux lost his mind?

[Hatter]

This is a good move for the Canucks, which hurts to say. Expect their offence to be much improved. Willie could squeeze goals out of a sumo wrestler if he had to.

[Vulcan]

The Pittsburgh Penguins' choice to be their next coach "is going to go in a different direction," general manager Jim Rutherford told the Pittsburgh Tribune Review on Friday.
That coach is believed to be Willie Desjardins, who TSN reports will be named coach of the Vancouver Canucks.
Rutherford said he will resume his search next week and plans to hire someone by July 1.
“We couldn't make it work," Rutherford told the newspaper. "... I'm going to take the weekend to sort some things out."
Asked about Desjardins, Rutherford told Yahoo Sports, "I think we tried to meet what he was looking for, but my opinion is, he was … His mind was set on going back to Canada. But that's just my opinion. He's the only guy who can really answer that."

NHL link

http://bleacherreport.com/tb/ddlg6?u...m_campaign=nhl

[Erick Estrada]

Desjardins may be a great NHL head coach or he could bomb like a lot of the hot up and coming guys. It's a big difference coaching NHL players and a lot of great CHL and AHL coaches can't make the jump.

[sun]

Man, I'm gonna miss torts.

[Fire]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Desjardins may be a great NHL head coach or he could bomb like a lot of the hot up and coming guys. It's a big difference coaching NHL players and a lot of great CHL and AHL coaches can't make the jump.

Personally I see Desjardins bombing if he joins the Canucks. A rookie coach going into that locker room? He will have a hard job.

[btimbit]

Seems like a tough gig for a rookie coach.

[Jables16]

Well, I already don't like this guy based on his time coaching TC at the 2010 World Juniors so he'll fit right in with the Canucks.

This dummy did an interview prior to the gold medal game advertising that his team would be aggressive in an OT situation to avoid a shootout. All the US had to do is wait for three Team Canada players to pinch, get an odd man rush and John Carlson put home the winner.

I hope his ego and hubris continue to keep him from succeeding in this new endeavor and Vancouver continues to be no good.

[GoJetsGo]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Desjardins may be a great NHL head coach or he could bomb like a lot of the hot up and coming guys. It's a big difference coaching NHL players and a lot of great CHL and AHL coaches can't make the jump.

Not to mention THIS group of NHL players totally devoid of character and heart. A soft, aging group who are more inclined to wilt and look for power plays then they are to battle through. That is a tall order for a rookie NHL coach.

I don't care who they bring in in their front office or behind the bench. That core group is a declining dumpster fire and has a few years to simmer itself out yet before it can begin to rebound.

[FAN]

Things seem pretty messed up over there in Pittsburgh.

[Takumi3000]

It seems Vancouver is making all the right moves again but it won't matter if they continue to try to make the playoffs each year. There is no way they can compete with the powers of the West. They should let their young guys play and tank for McDavid.

What a blessing that their best trade asset (Kesler) wants to leave. This will make the Canucks worse and grab younger assets. They may suck regardless of their desire to win. 2015 will be a good year to tank for.

[Malkin]

Originally Posted by Takumi3000

It seems Vancouver is making all the right moves again but it won't matter if they continue to try to make the playoffs each year. There is no way they can compete with the powers of the West. They should let their young guys play and tank for McDavid.

What a blessing that their best trade asset (Kesler) wants to leave. This will make the Canucks worse and grab younger assets. They may suck regardless of their desire to win. 2015 will be a good year to tank for.

It depends on Lack. If he plays good, Canucks make the playoffs. If he falters even a little, they'll be drafting top 5.

[squiggs96]

Originally Posted by Malkin

It depends on Lack. If he plays good, Canucks make the playoffs. If he falters even a little, they'll be drafting top 5.

So if Lack plays okay they make the playoffs, but if he plays 98% of okay they drop from 7th-8th in the west to 14th-15th in the west?

[sureLoss]

official

Vancouver Canucks @VanCanucks
Willie Desjardins has been named new #Canucks coach. Learn all about him here --> ow.ly/ylEAT

[Zach]

Remember his Medicine Hat team beat the Van Giants stacked team in the WHL Finals but ended up losing to them in the Mem Cup Final because Vancouver was hosting it that year.

[Komskies]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Desjardins may be a great NHL head coach or he could bomb like a lot of the hot up and coming guys. It's a big difference coaching NHL players and a lot of great CHL and AHL coaches can't make the jump.

Exhibit A: Donny Brooks up in Edmonton.

[Shawnski]

#FreeWillie

[Locke]

Originally Posted by sun

Man, I'm gonna miss torts.

You can see him every Wednesday on 'The Quiz.'