There seem to be plenty of disparate opinions about what led to Nikita Tryamkin's decision to decamp from Vancouver and head back to Russia.
I don't think his primary motivator was money. The KHL doesn't officially disclose salaries, but a list leaked out at the beginning of this season. We don't know if it's accurate—and it doesn't include bonus money, which could be substantial, but if you take a look at
this article from Puck Daddy, you'll see that even the highest base salaries aren't all that high—and that they drop off pretty quickly.
Also, Tryamkin did show some impressive generosity while he was here. I remember hearing this story when the Canucks for Kids telethon was on last month.
I also can't believe a lack of ice time would be the primary issue when the coaching staff is changing. Tryamkin may have been frustrated with how he was treated this season, but if he was interested in staying, I'm sure management would have been able to ease his concerns.
I can see how this would be something that could stick in his craw, though, courtesy of radio colour man Dave Tomlinson:
I wanted Tryamkin to be the next Chara, not Pronger! It was very clear that he didn't have Pronger's mean streak—and that's a good thing, in my book.
Ray Ferraro offers Tryamkin some sympathy:
And the Canucks do retain Tryamkin's rights for another five seasons.
Vladimir Sobotka has just returned to the St. Louis Blues after decamping for Omsk for three seasons after a contract dispute—although he's Czech, not Russian. A somewhat different scenario.
In the
translated Russian interview we cited yesterday, Tryamkin contradicted the traditional thinking that the NHL is the best league in the world.
"I do not think this is a step backwards.
The decision about our future together, we took the whole family. So I do not believe that this step "lowered himself".
Tryamkin did spend four seasons in the KHL before coming to Vancouver. I wonder if his perception is accurate, or if he'll see the league differently once he goes back?
Tryamkin's situation now also colours one of the Canucks' future prospects, Dmitry Zhukenov. He's tied for third in the QMJHL playoff scoring race as the third round gets underway tonight—and there have been rumours that he's planning to return to Russia at the end of this season.
News1130's Rick Dhaliwal spoke with Zhukenov today. He seems to believe that Tryamkin's decision was based primarily on his family situation.
Word is that Tryamkin has both North American and Russian representation—and it was the Russian agent who brokered the new deal with Automobilist. Not sure which rep Zhukenov shares.
As for his own future, he says he'll make a decision with the help of his agent at the end of the season.
It's important to note that Zhukenov has already gone a different route—coming over to North American as soon as he was drafted.
Zhukenov has not yet been signed to an entry-level contract by the Canucks. Even though he's now starring in the Q, he was drafted out of Russia, so the Canucks will retain his rights until June 1, 2019, even if he goes back to Russia to play in his hometown of Omsk next season.
Elsewhere—NHL teams continue to shake things up at the coaching and management levels. On Thursday, the Buffalo Sabres relieved GM Tim Murray and coach Dan Bylsma of their duties. So there's another opening—and another veteran coach now back on the market.
Bylsma interviewed with the Canucks when Willie Desjardins was hired in 2014. His three seasons in Buffalo weren't great and there has been a ton of finger-pointing leading up to his dismissal, but he did win that Stanley Cup with Pittsburgh back in 2009—successfully developing a young team.
The Chicago Blackhawks' sudden elimination from the playoffs is also leading to questions about their future. That's two years in a row that they've gone out in the first round, and this time it wasn't even close.
The Blackhawks kept the band together when they suffered two straight first-round losses after winning the Cup in 2010—to Vancouver in 2011, of course, then to the then-Phoenix Coyotes in six games in 2012. An argument could be made that the team just needs a little more time for its next wave of young players, like Ryan Hartman and Nick Schmaltz, to develop.
Or, will heads roll? Last week, I brought up the idea of Joel Quenneville possibly getting sacked because I'd love to see him in the mix for the Canucks' job. I've seen Stan Bowman's name bandied about a bit today as well.
The Calgary Flames and Columbus Blue Jackets are the other teams that have been eliminated so far. I'd say both Glen Gulutzan and John Tortorella will be safe, as their groups dramatically exceeded expectations in the regular season. But more jobs could be lost after the first round concludes.
As for a couple of other veteran names:
I'm glad to be able to wrap up today with a bit of good news!
According to the press release, Dahlen was awarded this year's ‘Golden Cage’ as the top junior player in the Swedish league, as well as starring for the Swedes at the World Junior Championship. He doesn't turn 20 until December but because he's not a CHL player, he would be eligible to play in Utica next season if he and the Canucks choose to go that route.
Vancouver Canucks Blogger • 
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