The Vancouver Canucks were mathematically eliminated from the NHL Playoffs with last night’s 3-0 loss to the Anaheim Ducks. In truth this was just the final nail in the coffin of their playoff hopes which died weeks ago. Paying the price for a disappointing season, and a team that has gone steadily down hill since winning the President’s Trophy and losing in game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals in 2011 is the team’s president and general manager Mike Gillis. Gillis was relieved of his duties today, and the Canucks will now begin a search to replace him.
Mike Gillis relieved of president & GM duties by #Canucks http://t.co/TMYoej3Poa
— Vancouver Canucks (@VanCanucks) April 8, 201r
“On behalf of my entire family, I would like to sincerely thank Mike Gillis for his hard work and the many contributions he made on and off the ice during his tenure,” said Francesco Aquilini, Chairman, Canucks Sports & Entertainment in a statement released on the Team’s Website. “The Vancouver Canucks had success under Mike’s leadership, and we nearly reached our ultimate goal; but I believe we have reached a point where a change in leadership and new voice is needed.”
“I also want to thank our fans for their support for the Vancouver Canucks through a difficult and frustrating season,” continued Aquilini. “We haven’t met their expectations or ours. We are committed to bringing the Stanley Cup to Vancouver for our fans and we will continue to do everything possible to reach that goal.”
Aquilini will hold a press conference at 1:30 pm EDT/ 10:30 am PDT tomorrow to address questions on the firing.
Mike Gillis, a former player agent and lawyer, took the job in April of 2008, after the firing of Dave Nonis the last time the Canucks missed the playoffs. In addition to the Stanley Cup Finals appearance and president’s trophy, he led the Canucks to six straight playoff appearances, and four straight Northwest Division Titles, runs that both end this year. He recieved the NHL’s GM of the Year award in 2011.
Many would say that Gillis’ handling of the goaltending situation in Vancouver was his ultimate failure. In less than nine months, the Canucks went from a team with Roberto Luongo and Corey Schneider in goal to a team that traded both, retained 15% of Luongo’s long contract, and received Bo Horvat, Shawn Matthias, and Jacob Markstrom in return.
On top of that, the firing of Alain Vigneault, and the hiring of John Tortorella as his replacement has also been widely seen as a disaster for Vancouver.
The Canucks will now begin a search for a new president and general manager. There are rumors that the team is looking at long-time captain Trevor Linden to take the president’s role, however, Linden has denied the rumours stating that he has not yet been contacted by the Aquilini family.
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