Yesterday, the Canucks fired the coaches. Thing is, they fit perfectly into the arrogant way management runs the club. I seriously had a hard time telling the difference between former Head Coach Alain Vigneault and Canucks GM Mike Gillis. Seemed like the same person to me. Weird.

We all know the idea here is for the Canucks to get Ruff. As in Lindy. After seeing how he ran Team Canada at the World Championships, I'm delighted by this move. The Canucks will be in full rebuild mode by this time next season.

Also from the "weird" files, why do Edmonton-area media keep talking about Ralph Krueger like he won't be Head Coach of the Oilers next season? I've heard him becoming co-coach. Or associate coach. Or not being there at all.

Krueger was definitely not the problem on the Oilers last season. He can only work with the assets he's given. and aside from that, the players and management all love him. The problem was Tambellini, and he's gone now. Life will improve for Krueger next season.

I get blasted all the time from the "legitimate" media all the time for having no idea what I'm doing, but it's like they have no idea what they're doing either. Krueger is very safe going into next season. Some of the assistance coaches though? Now those are people who could be unemployed very soon. The Oilers were solid on special teams, but defensively, they stunk. Would that be Steve Smith going bye-bye?

Actually what I heard is that no one is actually going to get fired, but the team is going to add one more additional assistant coach to the mix. I wouldn't be surprised if it was Todd Nelson from the OKC Barons, who once again has his team jumping in the AHL playoffs. Maybe Krueger stays as Head Coach and Nelson becomes Associate Head Coach? You never know.

Getting plenty of feedback on the draft blog I wrote...mostly people suggesting the Oilers will take a defenseman with the 7th overall pick. I don't agree...but on the off-chance they do take a D man, I'd place my pennies on Rasmus Ristolainen. This being said, I think Valeri Nichushkin's decision to go NHL next year, ending the last two seasons of his KHL deal, will change up what happens at the draft considerably. Nichushkin's camp seems to think the winger could go to either Tampa Bay or Nashville, as both teams have expressed an interest in him. Should this occur, Sasha Barkov would be knocked down the draft order. If Barkov is still available at #5, you could see the Oilers going crazy to offer the Hurricanes a chance to exchange picks. Would you offer, for example, the 7th overall pick and Sam Gagner for the 5th overall pick if Barkov is still available?

From the 'Canes perspective...if you wanted to know a place where Darnell Nurse or Ristolainen fits...But neither would be taken ahead of Barkov no matter what the needs of Carolina is. Gagner + Ristolainen on draft day for the 'Canes would be a win. Considering positional needs for Carolina, they wouldn't necessarily need to keep Gagner...they could move him for another defenseman or a winger with size. Would the Rangers take Gagner for Marc Staal?

NHL playoffs continue...

Bruins vs Rangers - Brad Richards is a healthy scratch for Game 4. Need I say anything more about how this series is going? I knew the Bruins were going to win, but I didn't think the Rangers were this bad. Lundqvist and a bunch of scrubs.

Senators vs Penguins - Yeah, 7 - 3 yesterday put this series into perspective. Bruins and Penguins should be well rested for the third round.

Wings vs Hawks - The Hawks have fallen asleep. The challenge is if they can wake up in time. Lose Game 4, and it might be impossible to battle back. I still think the Hawks will win the series, but the current situation is scaring me.

Kings vs Sharks - I watched Game 4 of this and was dumbfounded. Why are the refs deciding so many games these playoffs? Big deal, the Sharks dominated the first 30 minutes. It's the last 30 minutes that count, and the Kings clearly dominated them. They tied the game and would have won Game 4. If the refs stay out of it, you still have a Kings victory here. Might go all 7 now, though.

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