The Vancouver Canucks have a busy summer ahead of them.
Not only is the club expected to deal high-priced goaltender Roberto Luongo, the Canucks must find a new head coach after firing Alain Vigneault Wednesday afternoon.
After two straight first-round exits in the postseason, Vancouver has stated a need to go in a different direction.
Many around the hockey world believe the Canucks’ Stanley Cup window has closed, and a coaching change was clearly a priority for general manager Mike Gillis.
With Vigneault out in Vancouver, here is a list of candidates who the Canucks could look to replace their longtime bench boss.
THE CANDIDATES
Lindy Ruff
If Gillis wants to bring in an experienced coach, Ruff could certainly be his ideal choice.
Ruff spent 15 (yes, that’s true) seasons with the Buffalo Sabres before he was fired in 2013. He posted a 571-432-162 record en route to becoming the franchise’s all-time winningest coach.
Under Ruff, the Sabres made the playoffs eight times during his tenure – including a run to the Stanley Cup final in 1999.
He is known for a tough defensive style that could match a Canucks team that has a reputation for being soft.
Ruff’s 571 wins rank second in the NHL with one team, trailing only Al Arbour, who had 740 wins with the New York Islanders.
He is one of the most respected coaches in the NHL and one that would immediately command respect in the locker room.
Dallas Eakins
Dallas Eakins is said to be one of the hottest up-and-coming coaches in NHL circles.
With the Toronto Marlies eliminated from the AHL playoffs, Eakins is now available to talk to NHL teams.
Eakins has been linked to several openings after playing a huge role in the turnaround of Toronto Maple Leafs’ American Hockey League affiliate the last two years.
He has spent four seasons with the Marlies, including a run to the Calder Cup final last season.
Eakins is an open-minded coach who can relate to players as the 46-year-old spent several seasons as NHL defenceman.
His best work with the Leafs organization has come in player development – where Eakins has not only had success at the AHL level but has played in key role in preparing players for the NHL.
Several players, including Nazem Kadri, Jake Gardiner, Mike Kostka, Mark Fraser, and Matt Frattin, benefited from their time with the Marlies. Eakins places a high emphasis on fitness and conditioning, and his coaching style seems to immediately impact his players.
When Ron Wilson was fired by the Maple Leafs last season, many around Toronto thought Eakins would have made a logical choice for the job.
Dave Tippett
If the Canucks are targeting Dave Tippett, their coaching search may take some time.
The impressive Phoenix Coyotes coach does not yet have a contract for next season, and with the franchise’s uncertainty, Tippett may been looking for a more stable situation.
The 51-year-old Tippett is one of the best coaches around the NHL and would be a real coup for a Canucks team that has become stale in recent seasons.
Even with an ownership situation in flux, Tippett has helped guide Phoenix to the post-season in three of his first four seasons in Phoenix and has consistently gotten the most out of his players.
His coaching style is especially beneficial to his goaltenders (see: Hitchcock, Ken) as we have seen what has happened to Ilya Bryzgalov since leaving Phoenix and how Tippett has revitalized Mike Smith’s career.
This would certainly fit with Vancouver, which plans to build its team around goaltender Cory Schneider.
Tippett’s plans remain unclear, but a coach with vast experience in the Western Conference is something that could strongly appeal to Gillis and the Canucks.
Mark Reeds
While the Canucks could consider a veteran like Ruff or Ron Wilson (OK, that was a joke), they could look to a prominent assistant after the success Todd McLellan and Paul MacLean have had in recent years.
A popular name, according to Hockey Central insider Nick Kypreos, is Mark Reeds of the Ottawa Senators.
#Canucks could possibly go through process of interviewing coach candidates. Here at @2013mcmemcup already heard #Sens Mark Reed’s mentioned
— Nick Kypreos (@RealKyper) May 22, 2013
Reeds has spent the past two seasons under MacLean with the Senators and enjoyed a strong tenure in the Ontario Hockey League with the Owen Sound Attack.
MacLean is a favourite for the Jack Adams Award this season, so it’s no surprise NHL teams could look to hire from his staff.
In 2010-11, Reeds won the OHL coach of the year award after a 46-17-5 regular season record en route to an OHL championship.
Prior to joining Owen Sound, Reeds spent four seasons as head coach of the United Hockey League’s Kalamazoo Wings.
Others to consider:
Tom Renney – The Detroit Red Wings assistant didn’t have great success in Edmonton, but that may have been a result of the team’s talent
Guy Boucher – Strong start in Tampa Bay with Lightning but may need to rebuild reputation before landing NHL job
Scott Arniel – The former Columbus Blue Jackets coach spent last season with Canucks’ AHL affiliate.
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