Swirl-ings on the slipstream
April 18th, 2008 by thewordbirdRumours are swirling about the release of General Manager Dave Nonis. Cause and effect, as well as to determine suitable and likely candidates for the vacancy, are now starting to surface.
Opinions have been polarized on the move by ownership, with many coming out strongly on one side or the other. My thoughts side with the camp that is in Nonis’ favour; expecting the hard work, attention to prospects/assets and the coming cap flexibility to give the Canucks’ a nicely set-up hand for the off-season. Many have opposite views in the Lower Mainland, citing that Nonis had ample time to make moves (which we will look at the body of work in the following articles) and that the dozen years he has spent working for Vancouver was long enough. Many hockey analysts argue that Nonis’ vision was just coming to fruition.
Speculation in the Globe and Mail in the past few days has reports stating that when pressed, Tampa GM Jay Feaster said he had been in contact with Nonis about the services of centre Brad Richards, near the trade deadline. The report states that draft picks, Alexander Edler and Ryan Kesler were asked in return for Richards. Nonis refused and stayed the course. Friciton ensued between Aquilini and Nonis. A deal for Olli Jokinen in Florida was negated for the want of keeping the Sedin twins skating with the ‘Orca Bay’ crest on their chest also. Nonis came under more fire.
Nonis, on local radio the past few days (one press conference and one talk show) has taken the high road and showed his tremendous class. The Canucks would/should do well to keep his direction and course. He set the organization up to have the assets to orchestrate deals and do it from a position of power in the league, which is more important than one might realize.
As for a replacement, reports have player agent/former player Mike Gillis (one client is Markus Naslund….) stepping into the job, while some say that Brian Lawton has been posturing himself to become General Manager in the NHL, after becoming a player agent. Managers are being interviewed (if not by the ones doing the hiring) left and right and suitable choices lined up from the media standpoint. One thing seems certain. Steve Tambellini will probably not be afforded the chance to assume the role for good after his interm duties are complete.
April 18, 2008
Robin Keith Thompson
