So far this season, I've run two polls asking what should be done about the Vancouver Canucks' coaching situation.
The first poll ran on October 30. The Canucks were 4-4-1, five games into their big losing streak and about to hit the road for six games out east. Click here to take a look back—at that time, 44 percent of respondents figured Willie Desjardins' job was safe, while the other 56 percent thought he'd be shown the door if the team came home from the trip with two points or less.
Vancouver did indeed go 1-5-0 on that trip, beating only the New York Rangers. Willie survived—and the team posted a solid 6-4-1 record until it was time to head east once again.
The results are similar this time around at 1-4-0. Just like after the trip in November, the Canucks come home sitting four games below .500. In yesterday's poll, only 36 percent of you now think that the team should stick with Desjardins until the end of the season. Of the voters who'd like to see Willie replaced, it's neck-and-neck between those who want to see Travis Green get his promotion from Utica and those who'd rather see a new face come in from outside.
Are we too close to Christmas to make a move? The Canucks are headed to Children's Hospital this afternoon for their annual photo op and holiday visit with the sick kids; firing a coach doesn't exactly align with the message of holiday cheer.
I'm pretty sure Darren Dreger means '*Things* change day-to-day' in this Tweet:
Thinks change day to day and the speculation comes with the territory, however, sense is Canucks management still supports Willy Desjardins.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) December 14, 2016
I can also follow the logic of those who are suggesting that Willie currently serves as a bit of a shield for those above him on the management totem pole, especially Jim Benning and Trevor Linden. If the organization makes a coaching change and things don't get better, then the sights shift to the front office—not unlike what we're seeing in Florida right now.
Of course, when a coaching change is successful, huge turnarounds are possible—and December changes seem to be especially effective.
The Pittsburgh Penguins replaced Mike Johnston with their then-AHL bench boss, Mike Sullivan, on December 12 last year, then went on to win a Stanley Cup. According to Wikipedia, the only other current coach who took over his team during the holiday season was Darryl Sutter. He grabbed the reins of the Los Angeles Kings on December 17, 2011—and also went on to lead his team to a championship six months later.
I'm not saying that a similar fate would await the Canucks if they made an immediate change, but it is an interesting coincidence...
Worth noting—Travis Green seems to be working his magic on Jake Virtanen, who had four goals in five games before getting left off the scoresheet in Utica's 3-2 overtime loss to Albany on Wednesday night.
Sure sounds like Travis Green has had a very positive affect on Virtanen who couldn't stop raving about his coach in Utica. #Canucks
— NEWS 1130 Sports (@NEWS1130Sports) December 13, 2016
Winger Anton Rodin saw his first game action since preseason on Wednesday and picked up an assist on the Comets' first goal, by Alex Grenier.
Travis Green on Anton Rodin's first game: I thought he looked good. He's got real nice hands. He's quick. He made some nice plays. ... 1/
— Ben Birnell (@OD_Birnell) December 15, 2016
Green felt that Rodin did show some signs of fatigue as the game wore on. Hopefully that's a cardio/game-shape thing, not a 'knee starting to hurt' thing.
Thatcher Demko made 30 saves in his return to the Comets after his weekend on the Canucks' bench. While he was away, Michael Garteig recorded a 4-3 shootout loss to Syracuse on Saturday.
Back here in Vancouver, the Canucks are on the ice this morning, with the return of a welcome face!
Fully attended #Canucks practice, including the return of one Chris Tanev. pic.twitter.com/723iijR7Rd
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) December 15, 2016
No word yet on when Tanev will be able to get back into the lineup, but it's a good first step to see him back skating with the main group.
Word is, Alex Edler also skated with the skills coach before the main practice. He has now been out for nearly three weeks of what's expected to be his 4-6 week recovery period after suffering that broken index finger on November 26.
Finally, today—World Junior notes.
Canucks defense prospect Guillaume Brisebois was one of Team Canada's last cuts, on its final day of training camp.
Guillaume Brisebois: "Obviously disappointed, but at the end of the day it's still a game. I'll go back to Charlottetown & just keep going."
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) December 15, 2016
That doesn't mean we're without rooting interests. Olli Juolevi will be trying for his second WJC gold medal with Team Finland.
Also, 2015 sixth-rounder Lukas Jasek is expected to suit up with the Czech team. Jasek, 19, has played just 10 games with his club team, Trinec, this season, and has yet to record his first point.