Tom Petty posthumously experienced the generational shift of the established Vancouver Canucks’ entrance anthem of U2’s “Where the Streets Have No Name” circa 2011 to the previable application of the aforementioned “Free Falling”.  Let’s be honest, the Canucks have been in free-fall for weeks. Granted, two back-to-back wins over the bargain basement Ottawa Senators and Montreal Canadians were exciting, but let’s be honest, these were points beard by low hanging fruit that did very little to change the reality of this hockey club. 

Green’s Out, Bruce Boudreau is in!

As we were thinking through this article, the announcement was made that Green is out and Bruce Boudreau has been tapped to lead this basket of talent to achieve results. However, let’s be honest, this was a move that is a bit late, and arguably didn’t address the Twinkie which can survive a nuclear apocalypse, Jim Benning. Since Jim has been at the helm, we’ve witnessed Linden, Desjarden and now Green bite the bullet, while Benning remains in place. Can we blame Green for the lack of a right shot center? I would argue no, as I would for many of the Canuck’s shortcomings. If anything, Green’s dismissal, albeit granted, was likely optical. We must ask ourselves, what has really changed?

Moving Forward

The Canucks need to change, there’s no question. But that doesn’t mean reinventing the wheel. In fact, statistics indicate that there are a few things the Canucks can do better to maintain significance, including improving their PK from 64%, as well as their PP from 17%. This cannot be exclusively achieved from a coaching change – you need the right pieces in places, which Vancouver does not. Further, baiting players like J.T. Miller, who happen to be your scoring lead this season, as trade bait on the 4th line is asinine. Players with the integrity and ability to lead need to be elevated, not suppressed.

Jersey on the Ice

This was bound to happen, albeit disappointing; during Friday’s game versus the Penguins, a frustrated Canucks Fan fired their Bo Horvat jersey on the ice. I get it, fans are frustrated, and they have every reason to be. However, I think ‘fans’ often forget that these folks are real people. Does Bo like having to go in front of the media every night and be eaten alive for the team’s performance? The answer is no, but he does. He lives the wins and, more often than not, the losses of the team he leads. Believe me, he doesn’t need your reminder. He loses enough sleep trying to get this on-track.

Lastly, when you throw that jersey on the ice, you throw the jersey of every great who has come before: That was Kirk McLean, Trevor Linden, Pavel Bure, and both Sedin twin’s jersey that was thrown on the ice.

What it Means

Fans, it’s a tall ask, but be patient. This retooling has not gone as planned, that’s obvious. And, there is one person ultimately responsible for that, the GM. Changes in coaching will not remedy the issue. That said, there is a bucket of talent, if Vancouver can expose how to fit the puzzle pieces together. To be frank, we’re at a 70/30 split for the Canucks: 30% that it’ll click, 70% it becomes a fire sale, given placement and contracts. We’ll see which comes to fruition between now and the Olympics.

-Josh Caul- Dusty Beauts/ Olde City Sports Network