I’m with you Alanah...I think there is something a bit deeper going on beyond the ice rink that we cannot see.  Too many signs of players not happy...from Naslund’s early season rants, to Mitchell’s dislike of being called out, to Matt Cooke’s relief of being traded from a stifling system...I think there is more to it.

You might remember way back when, when Viggy was hired, and I said at that time...is everyone ready for boring hockey?  Well, this is what you get.  We love the Canucks...but, they are boring to watch.  Hell, I could handle a team that skated its asses off and got beat (like the team that lost to the Ducks last year)...but that just didn’t happen this year.

I’m gonna say it again...Trevor Linden for head coach.  Do it now...rebuild the team with the temendous youth they have in the organization with Luongo backing it up...and keep the puck in the offensive zone as much as possible...instead of sitting back and letting Louie save the day.

Here’s hoping a high flying team (Penguins, Capitals) make it far into the playoffs and change the way the game is played.  The game needs the change...I’m sick of watching 4 guys stand in front of the net whilst someone shoots the puck and it bounces off ankles like a pinball machine...hoping it will go into the net.

Alright...I’ve said all the same things on JJ’s site and Zanstorms site...I need to write my own blog post and say it again. 

Where is Markus Naslund saying ‘We choked,’ when we need him?

Posted by GZ Expat from Chiner on 04/04/08 at 04:47 AM ET

In a sense I’m also glad that it’s over. No more sleeping with headphones on and waking up late next morning with sore neck and finding out that they lost. Just the way you want to start your day, right? This team just isn’t good enough...injury prone defensemen with soft forwards who have no talent and I’m afraid, unlike GZ Expat, that their upcoming youth up front is nothing special. No real 1st liners. I blame it all on scouting and I’m also not too optimistic about next year or year after. This team will not be a true contender for quite some time IMO.

Hoping for the best, preparing and expecting the worst.

Posted by KanuK on 04/04/08 at 06:42 AM ET

Alanah, you’re welcome on the Sharks bandwagon as long as you don’t bring any of that bad Canucks mojo. You know you just want to hug Joe Thornton! Otherwise, I think you should join me on the Caps bandwagon (since I have no rooting interest in the East). Ovechkin and his $12 haircut are awesome!

Posted by Mike Chen on 04/04/08 at 09:10 AM ET

So Vigneault was named coach of the year last year for basically pencilling in Luongo’s name night after night. Could a clash of egos have lead to some of the turmoil that is being implied?

Posted by Hockey1919 from Montreal on 04/04/08 at 09:23 AM ET

Anyway, I’m not at all glad it’s over, but I am relieved it’s over… somewhat like the poster ‘Too Optimistic’ (lovely irony, that) who commented:

“Surprisingly it feels like i have a weight off of my shoulders. Don’t have to worry about the Canucks loosing anymore.”

(I’ll even forgive him the “loosing” thing… after all, if TSN can do it, then drunken, traumatized Canucks fans surely have an excuse for spelling imperfections on elimination night.)

Rather than characterizing all Canucks fans as “drunken” and “traumatized,” I’d like to suggest taking the high road...perhaps ‘Too Optimistic’ is actually Ricky Ricardo.

In all seriousness, my sincere condolences to you and all Canucks fans.

Posted by YzermanZetterberg on 04/04/08 at 09:43 AM ET

After we were down tow - zip last night a calm went over me. I’m really glad it’s over. Even if the team made the playoffs the fans would have to sit through a quick first round exit. This has been a strange year and one that I for one never really got excited for. It’ll be sad to see both Naslund and Linden exit but here’s hoping that next year brings about change.
I’m hoping AlainV is gone next year. I mean, what kind of coach schedules zero practices in the final week of a playoff push? And don’t even get me started on his inability to dress Linden for solid chunks of the season. He needs to go and we need to see exciting hockey again in Vancouver.
I’m gonna go with Montreal in the post season. Hell, anyone in the East.

Posted by Trini from VanC on 04/04/08 at 10:18 AM ET

I agree with you about AV’s coaching, but I think it’s time to take a look at Nonis, too. Aside from the brilliant Luongo trade and signing Willie Mitchell, I don’t feel he’s done anything significant to make the Canucks better.

Posted by the sieve from the bovine city on 04/04/08 at 10:46 AM ET

Ahhh, it’s nice to know that the pain and suffering is over...for a few months anyway.  Has anyone ever done studies to measure the life expectancy differences between normal people and Canuck fans?

Posted by Devin from the bottom of a bottle of 18yr old Macallan on 04/04/08 at 10:57 AM ET

now that my bottle is empty it’s time for some emotional medicine (or is it simply denial? meh, don’t care)… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99Hb9Uf0jSU

Posted by Devin from the bottom of a bottle of 18yr old Macallan on 04/04/08 at 11:08 AM ET

The sad thing is I kind of like the way Nonis has the Canucks’ cap set up moving forward.  It’s a shame the players on the team are going to get him s-canned before he could take full advantage of that, but the next GM will surely appreciate his careful planning.

My God.

Seriously, can someone give me a list of players who showed up the last month of the season?  As a Wings fan I’m a bit relieved the Canucks found an exhaust pipe to french kiss (who wants to see Luongo in round 1… not freaking me, that’s for sure) but I’m sort of pissed off for you guys.

Posted by HockeyinHD on 04/04/08 at 11:13 AM ET

I was really surprised at the Canucks lack of fire last night.  I am always sad to see a Canadian team not make the playoffs.  I just wish the Canucks were playing a more interesting brand of hockey.  I used to love to watch them play but haven’t for a few years now because they just aren’t interesting.  Trevor Linden and Markus Naslund deserved better.  They are truly class people in the NHL.

Alanah, you could always root for the Wings! (ducking because I know you are going to hit me!)

Posted by hockeychic from Denver, CO on 04/04/08 at 11:29 AM ET

The Sieve is right, Nonis is under the gun here. Luongo and Mitchell are one thing, but what else has he done in three seasons now to make this team better? If nothing else put yourself in Luongo’s shoes: one more year of this insanity and why would he want to stay? Assuming Naslund leaves, slap the ‘C’ on Mitchell, get some new blood in there and create a team with a pulse in front of Luongo and we have a whole other story.

Posted by Mike from NYC on 04/04/08 at 12:43 PM ET

Relieved it is over for my own reason:

Glad that the Team 1040 talk show hosts can no longer give us the Dave Nonis is better than Brian Burke Bull Sh^t.

Tuning in to NHIC on Saturday night for my own reasons:

To see the empty but sold seats and ponder when the first non sellout is going to officially happen. It is and soon.

To hear the standing ovation those empty seats will give Trevor Linden and not give Markus Naslund – both of which will play their last game as a Canuck.  Well clarify that Trevor will always be a Canuck.

Posted by Terry from WestVan on 04/04/08 at 01:28 PM ET

Alanah, the team I watched last night didn’t deserve in any way to make the playoffs, but you (and all loyal Canucks fans) deserved much better.
Be bold: Root for the hometown boy, Joey Sakic. 
Can’t wait for your rant.  I love well-written rants.

Posted by Amy from Colorado on 04/04/08 at 01:54 PM ET

I really like this post - it’s ranty and emotional with your usual hint of humour in all its Alanah-esque glory. Although… I think I’m going to go cry now.

PS - Unofficial Trevor Linder Appreciation Day on Saturday!

Posted by Rebecca from Vancouver on 04/04/08 at 03:12 PM ET

Root for Montreal - their fans are a bit psychotic and very funny!

My condolences to all the Vancouver fans - and best wishes for better luck next year.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 04/04/08 at 06:07 PM ET

Root for Montreal - their fans are a bit psychotic and very funny!

They’re just hockey fans that talk funny.

Posted by HockeyTownTodd from upset when blogs don�t live up to my expectations on 04/04/08 at 10:19 PM ET

I agree with almost every sentiment of every post here… except for the crazy people that want us to cheer for the Av’s or Wings… nut jobs

Watching the last game was literally like plucking nose hairs one by one.  8 legit powerplays, a billion shots, and nothing to show for it.  I guess you have to give Roloson some credit, played a heck of a game, but I’m still too bitter to do that.

I too am glad its over.  I’m going to go out on a limb - and I might be all alone out here - but I’m sick and tired of Kesler, Burrows, Edler, Shannon, Rypien getting high quality scoring chances and putting the puck right in the goalie’s chest.  These young guys are nothing more than solid 3rd maybe 2nd liners yet Viggy and Nonis have thrust them into 1st line special teams positions.  Making for one of the worst ‘Goals For’ seasons in a long time not to mention causing all opposing goalie’s save percentages to sky rocket… how hard is it to stop a wrister to your mid-section?  come on!  Even Cloutier could stop that

sigh.

Posted by LOUiE from Cowtown on 04/05/08 at 01:06 AM ET