[News] Mike Gillis fired. Linden named President. of Hockey Ops

[codynw]

Can someone provide updates of the press conference?

[Locke]

I dont know if its been said, but Vancouver fans should be afraid of Feaster being the next GM if only because he wants to work with Tortorella.

If that team wants to have success they'll have to jettison John Tortorella right along with Mike Gillis.

[The Hendog]

Originally Posted by codynw

Can someone provide updates of the press conference?

One of the most awkward handshakes ever to start things off
And it started like 8 minutes late
Soooo off to a great start

[GreenLantern2814]

I'm guessing Linden was more of a 'lead by example' guy than an orator... These speeches have been incredibly awkward.

[StrykerSteve]

Linden lied and I can assure you so did Feaster. Dude WAS at the airport yesterday.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by The Hendog

One of the most awkward handshakes ever to start things off
And it started like 8 minutes late
Soooo off to a great start

Linden looks like he really doesnt want to be there.

[Yoho]

Originally Posted by StrykerSteve

Linden lied and I can assure you so did Feaster. Dude WAS at the airport yesterday.

Not this again

[GreenLantern2814]

They keep saying 'the brand has been damaged' in Vancouver... It may be an accurate description of things, but it's really gross. Takes all the magic out of the game, and makes this nothing but corporate bull####.

[Blaster86]

Originally Posted by StrykerSteve

Linden lied and I can assure you so did Feaster. Dude WAS at the airport yesterday.

You failed us once. Why compound your failure, Strykersteve. Cow yourself and feel lucky we have let you live for this transgression against us.

[The Hendog]

Originally Posted by codynw

Can someone provide updates of the press conference?

- Linden apologizes yesterday for lying about being named President. Said it was an awkward situation and had to wait. Why he couldn't just say no comment is beyond me...

- Seems like Francesco and Linden are buds and they talked about it before and now it has happened; aka Vancouver didn't do any kind of search or evaluation for their new President of Hockey Ops outside of Linden.

- Now just saying all the right things; thorough review of coaches, staff etc. before decisions made, win the cup etc.

[Galakanokis]

The Canucks are gold! Or at least the owner....Deadspin article.

[Blaster86]

Aquilini needs to just be in the background and disappear. Or just name himself GM and be done with it. =\

[StrykerSteve]

I'm at the airport in Grande Prairie right now, when I land in Calgary, if I see Feaster I'm grabbing hold and never lettin' go.

[GreenLantern2814]

I will say this; I do think Trevor Linden is a good hire. I think he might even understand a little bit more about winning than 'Have Gretzky, Kurri, Messier, Anderson, Fuhr and Coffee in their mid twenties! Oh and Kevin Lowe helped, too!'.

[squiggs96]

Originally Posted by EYE_Overstand

thats like saying Mike Vernon would make a good president of Hockey Opps because of his business experience

I don't believe Linden's ventures have driven multiple businesses into the ground and cost investors millions of dollars. I think he did have some problems with one of his fitness studios though.

[PeteMoss]

Originally Posted by Galakanokis

The Canucks are gold! Or at least the owner....Deadspin article.

This guy was tired for Katz getting all the press for being terrible I guess.

[nik-]

Maybe the owners hired Torts because he's Italian.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by nik-

Maybe the owners hired Torts because he's Italian.

Edit: I don't feel good about that one, sorry.

[Red John]

Originally Posted by Galakanokis

The Canucks are gold! Or at least the owner....Deadspin article.

Pretty damning on Aquilini. That's almost as bad as Kevin Lowe trying to control the media message.

[d_phaneuf]

-Aquilini thanks Gillis
-Introduces Trevor as President (they both stand up for awkward Photo op.)
-Hands it over to Linden, thanks Aquilini family, Family, friends for encouragement to take oppurtunity
-Says today is a huge honor, came 26 years ago and never left
-Wasn't sure when or in what capacity but always remained a goal to get back in the game
-When this came up he couldn't pass it up
-Will do whatever he can to deliver a championship caliber team to this city

Q&A (can't hear all questions)

-(T) He called Global news and apologized for yesterday, said he was in an impossible situation with Mike Gillis' new not announced yet
-(T) Has known Aquilini's for a long time, oppurtunity came up recently
-(T) Has to evaluate and do a GM search within and outside organization
-(F) Trevor has full control over hockey decisions
-(T) always knew he would come back to hockey, never wanted to work for another organization, has followed team closely since he retired
-(T) Anytime a team doesn't succeed or misses the playoffs everyone is unhappy, but that's not why he came back, more based on timing in his life
-(T)Timing allows him to fully evaluate coaching staff (Met Torts this morning for first time), will sit down with players after the season and talk about issues with their season and decision will be made down the road
-(T) Selecting GM is the first critical step
-(F) Trevor is President of Hockey Operations, Victor will still run the business side
-(T) Wants to assist on Business side where he can, but fully focused on Hockey side, in terms of other business ventures his partner will take more control
-(T) Phoned Pat Quinn when he got job
-(T) (asked about playing with some of the current players) Has full respect for everyone but will assess the best path for Organization, will do what he has to do to get back to a winning organization
-(T) (asked about style of play) He comes from the school that fundamental sound hockey is winning hockey, big believe that playing defensive should not compromise offense, people love teams that are fast and entertaining. Doesn't buy in to offensive or defensive teams, just winning hockey
-(T) Thinks team has under performed this season but doesn't want to go further, will sit down with coaches/players over the next week, reserves comment until more detail
-(T) Important for entire organization to be aligned, wants to treat all customers the same, be it from community work to business partners (was essentially a question about Gillis being arrogant and he sidestepped it)
-(T) (asked about some people thinking it's a PR move) said he talked to Joe Sakic, knows that it's important to surround himself with good, thoughtful, independent thinkers
-(F) (asked about style of play) he agrees with Trevor, this was a disappointing season
-(F) Thanks Mike for years of service, today is about going forward, best of Canucks are ahead of us, Trevor will put together winning plan
-(F) Mike hired Torts and he supported the hiring, so he takes full responsibility
-(T) Purposely stayed away for a few years after he left, doesn't feel like he was kept at arms length by Gillis
-(T) Huge sports fan, thinks NHL has never been greater, looking forward to bringing fun and entertaining hockey to Vancouver
-(F) (asked about economics of missing playoffs) (completely avoided the question)
-(T) (asked when he hires GM how he sees himself functioning) has a profile of a GM he would like, has a profile for whole group he would like, that will be part of hire. Putting Candidate list together. He wants to make sure Hockey Ops team is well balanced. Will work with GM on pro side, amateur side. Gives examples of being involved with how they use trainers, medical stuff etc.
-(T) Likes the core, but at this juncture full evaluation is needed of where we are, how we got there and how to get better
-(F) (asked about ST renewals) We are selling tickets, extending deadline, give ST holders a chance to review what has happened
-(T) Wants to have a GM by draft, hopefully earlier
-(T) (asked about facing criticism) says he has kind of been backup QB the last few years, everyone loves the backup QB, but going forward is fully prepared for the potential people may not be happy with you
-(T) (asked about qualities in a GM) says he has profile of what he wants team to look like, gaining permission to speak to certain people will be a challenge, thats when he will be able to speak more freely about it
-(T) Incredible opportunity, mentions this is a model a lot of sports franchises across sport are moving too
-(F) (why was Mike Gillis fired) thanks Mike for years of service, came within 1 game of SC, was time for a change, all fans are disappointed this year, wants a new direction, new voice
-(T) Hopes to be in this job for a very long time, would love to be sitting here in 20 years