Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports

To the surprise of nobody, the Vancouver Canucks fired head coach Alain Vigneault, associate coach Rick Bowness, and assistant coach Newell Brown on Wednesday afternoon.

“We have made the very difficult decision to relieve Alain Vigneault, Rick Bowness and Newell Brown of their coaching duties today,” said Canucks president and general manager Mike Gillis said in a statement. “Alain, Rick and Newell worked tirelessly to lead this team to great on-ice success. I am personally grateful to each of them and their families for their commitment to the Canucks and the city of Vancouver and wish them continued success in future.”

Vigneault leaves the Canucks organization as the team’s winningest coach with a record of 313-170-57. He also lead the team first place finishes in the Northwest Division in six of his seven seasons as coach. The Canucks also won the President’s Trophy twice and, of course, a Western Conference Championship in 2011.

The team and Vigneault have been unable to match the success they had in the 2011 playoffs. They have lost 12 of their last 14 playoff games scoring only 20 goals. After two consecutive disappointing first round exits, it became clear Vigneault’s shelf life was coming to an end. It was no longer a matter of if he would be fired, but when.

Video coach Darryl Williams and goaltending coach Rollie Melanon will remain with the team for now. The new head coach will determine if they are retained. Gillis did offer his support for Melanson saying he “works very well with [goaltender] Cory Schneider.”

Since our 1st year when we arrived together, AV would always tell me that he’d be gone before I would. I guess he was right. Very ironic….

—Strombone (@strombone1) May 22, 2013

Vigneault issued a statement after his firing on Canucks.com:

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Aquilini family, Mike Gillis, Lorne Henning, Laurence Gilman, Stan Smyl, Victor de Bonis and the entire management, scouting, training and front office staff with the Vancouver Canucks. The past seven years have been an honour for me to coach and work for a great franchise in a wonderful Canadian city. To work in a city with such passionate and loyal fans is a privilege – I enjoyed every moment of it.

I am grateful to Dave Nonis and Steve Tambellini for the opportunity they provided me eight years ago. Over the past seven years, I have made many good friends in Vancouver and had the chance to coach quality players who cared deeply about their profession and were committed to winning. I am grateful to the players and their families for the sacrifice and dedication they showed in an effort to be the best they could be. Watching as many of our players started families, became fathers and grew as men, on and off of the ice, was equally rewarding.

To Rick Bowness, Newell Brown, Rollie Melanson and Darryl Williams – I say thank you for your tireless effort every day – I am grateful for your friendship and dedication. You should all be very proud of your achievements.

I am proud of many of the things we accomplished as a group these past seven seasons in Vancouver and only wish we were able to win the Canucks first Stanley Cup. I am a career coach and it is what I love to do. I hope to coach again in this League and will always have good memories of my time and the fans in Vancouver.

Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

The Vancouver Canucks will be interested in forward Matt Hendricks if he hits the free agent market on July 5, according to News 1130 Sports.

Hendricks, 31, just completed his third season with the Washington Capitals. He earned $800,000 last season and will be looking for a significant pay raise after establishing himself as a versatile bottom-six forward.

“I think I’ve established myself more in this league,” Hendricks told the Washington Times. “Proved I can play throughout the lineup – special teams, penalty kill, things like that. I’m pretty good at faceoffs. I think I’m just more of an established player at this level.”

Hendricks a good penalty killer, face-off guy, lots of grit and great character in dressing room. Great 3rd – 4th line guy.

— News1130 Sports (@News1130Sports) May 21, 2013

Hendricks’s agent, Michael Wulkan, says his client’s first priority is to re-sign in Washington, but knows there will be plenty of suitors on the free agent market.

“There’s always changeover from year to year, but he’s one of those guys you’re not going to replace,” Hendricks’s teammate Jason Chimera said. “It’s not an easy job to go out there and fight guys twice his size. He sticks up for guys on the team and brings energy when no one else has it.”

Hendricks will hit a big pay day whether it is with Washington or with another team as there is a great emphasis in today’s NHL on players like him. His ability to play centre and left wing, penalty kill, and fight has earned him comparisons to Montreal Canadiens forward Brandon Prust. As a free agent last summer, Prust was able to hit the jackpot and sign a four-year contract worth $2.5 million as a season with the Canadiens.

Probably not as established as a fighter than Prust, Hendricks is a much more stronger faceoff man. He has a faceoff percentage of 56.8%, 53.6%, and 53.1% in his three seasons with the Capitals. A left-handed centre with grit and toughness would be a welcome addition to the Canucks lineup that has greatly lacked these elements the last two seasons.

The salary cap next season is dropping to $64.3 million and the Canucks have 17 players signed at over $64.4 million. Expect them to kick the tires on Hendricks, but don’t expect them to sign him or any other bigger name free agent on July 5 unless they can unload some significant salary at the draft. Hendricks will likely go for at least $2.5 million a season.

Kevin Bieksa will be playing his ninth season with the team. Is the love affair over? Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

 CURRENTLY SIGNED

Kevin Bieksa

current status: Signed through to 2016 with full NTC

#3 D | 6’1″, 198 lbs. | Age: 34

Dan Hamhuis

current status: Signed through to 2016 with a full NTC

#2 D | 6’1″, 209 lbs. | Age: 30